Thursday, February 6, 2025

How do you care for old gravestones? This workshop will teach you

An old gravestone in a cemetery
(File/Adobe)

YORKTOWN — The historic area is filled with gravestones from centuries past, and those graves need cleaning.

Grace Episcopal Church will hold a cemetery preservation workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 to teach proper cleaning and care of historic gravestones, said Al Crane, a member of the Grace Church Cemetery Committee. The church is at 111 Church Street.

The North Wing section of the church’s cemetery is home to about 30 gravestones that need proper preservation cleaning.

The hands-on workshop teaches volunteers the techniques based on industry best practices

The workshop will be broken up into sessions and led by Rachel Popp, education director at St Luke’s Church in Smithfield. The session sections are as follows:

  • Instruction and presentation in the Parish Hall, 10-11 a.m.
  • Hands on work in the North Wing Cemetery, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Bring your own bagged lunch in Parish Hall, 12-12:30 p.m.
  • Second hands-on work session, 12:30-2 p.m.

All necessary tools and supplies will be provided. It is recommended that volunteers wear working clothes and shoes, rubber gloves and a sun hat. Beverages will be provided.

There is a limit of 20 volunteers. Register by May 30 by emailing Al Crane at CraneJrA@aol.com.

Alexa Doiron
Alexa Doironhttp://wydaily.com
Alexa Doiron is a multimedia reporter for WYDaily. She graduated from Roanoke College and is currently working on a master’s degree in English at Virginia Commonwealth University. Alexa was born and raised in Williamsburg and enjoys writing stories about local flair. She began her career in journalism at the Warhill High School newspaper and, eight years later, still loves it. After working as a news editor in Blacksburg, Va., Alexa missed Williamsburg and decided to come back home. In her free time, she enjoys reading Jane Austen and playing with her puppy, Poe. Alexa can be reached at alexa@localvoicemedia.com.

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