Tips on beginning a cemetery preservation project

1. Undertaking Cemetery
Rehabilitation
Michael Trinkley, Ph.D.
Chicora Foundation, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29202
www.chicora.org

2. A Critical First Step: Making the
Site Safe and Simple Pruning
Remove debris, trash
Remove obviously volunteer growth
DON’T disturb plantings
DON’T do repairs
www.chicora.org 2

3. The Benefits of Simple Pruning
www.chicora.org 3

4. Think About Preservation
Plan carefully
Avoid simple solutions to complex
problems
Select least intrusive option
Respect the original fabric
Where possible, select reversible actions
Document all actions
www.chicora.org 4

5. Inventory
Map monuments & features
roads, paths, vegetation, utilities
Record inscriptions
name(s), date(s), verses
Record monument
the more detail the better
Assess condition of stone
condition and needed intervention
www.chicora.org 5

6. Recordation
Complete
Accurate
Standardized
www.chicora.org 6

7. www.chicora.org 7

8. Maintenance Issues
Manage vegetation
Avoid herbicides
Mow and trim to avoid damage
Think about signage
www.chicora.org 8

9. www.chicora.org 9

10. www.chicora.org 10

11. www.chicora.org 11

12. www.chicora.org 12

13. www.chicora.org 13

14. www.chicora.org 14

15. www.chicora.org 15

16. www.chicora.org 16

17. www.chicora.org 17

18. Particular Administrative Issues
Other Rules for
Critical Rules
Consideration
No gravestone
Jogging, athletic
rubbing
games
Do not sit or lean on
Prohibition of skates,
tombs or
bikes, skateboards
gravestones
Proper conduct (no
No alcoholic loud noise)
beverages
Littering
No dogs allowed Cutting
flowers/plants
www.chicora.org 18

19. Ban Rubbings
www.chicora.org 19

20. Understand Deterioration
Slates
Delamination
Sandstones
Exfoliation or spalling
Marbles
“Sugaring”
Limestones
Gypsum crust
www.chicora.org 20

21. Cleaning
Why?
Is there something ALWAYS ASK:
damaging the stone?
What is the potential
Is the cleaning only for
damage from cleaning
aesthetics?
compared to the
Is it part of a
damage from not
conservation
cleaning?
treatment?
www.chicora.org 21

22. What is Being Cleaned?
Acid soluble stone – Atmospheric soiling?
limestone, marble Staining?
Acid resistant stone – Non-biological
granite, quartz Biological
Architectural ceramics Salts
– brick, terracotta
Cement – cast stone,
stucco, mortar
www.chicora.org 22

23. www.chicora.org 23

24. www.chicora.org 24

25. www.chicora.org 25

26. www.chicora.org 26

27. www.chicora.org 27

28. How NEVER to Clean
Acid clean
Bleach
Wire brush
High pressure
www.chicora.org 28

29. Acid Cleaning – note the sheen
www.chicora.org 29

30. Bleach – note the yellowing and erosion
www.chicora.org 30

31. Sandblasting – note the erosion
www.chicora.org 31

32. Always Test First
www.chicora.org 32

33. Cleaning Options
Water misting or water
spray
Detergents
Steam
Chemical cleaners
Paint removers
Stain removers
Biocides
Others
www.chicora.org 33

34. Bad Repairs
Wrong materials
Poorly executed
Undocumented
www.chicora.org 34

35. www.chicora.org 35

36. www.chicora.org 36

37. www.chicora.org 37

38. www.chicora.org 38

39. www.chicora.org 39

40. Appropriate Repairs
Obtain a treatment proposal
Ensure that firm subscribes to AIC Code of
Ethics and Standards of Practice
Obtain a treatment report
You get what you pay for
www.chicora.org 40

41. www.chicora.org 41

42. www.chicora.org 42

43. www.chicora.org 43

44. www.chicora.org 44

45. www.chicora.org 45

46. www.chicora.org 46

47. www.chicora.org 47

48. www.chicora.org 48

49. www.chicora.org 49

50. www.chicora.org 50

51. www.chicora.org 51

52. www.chicora.org 52