Cemetery preservation workshop a success

PERRYSVILLE – Jonathan Appell, one of the nation’s top cemetery preservation experts, was shocked when he arrived in Perrysville.

Appell, of Atlas Preservation in Connecticut, was on the home stretch of a 48-state tour – conducting workshops in each state – when he pulled into Union Cemetery in Perrysville. Waiting for him were nearly 100 participants attending from every corner of Ohio. 

“It’s a bit overwhelming,” said Appell, who later said it was the largest turnout he’s ever had at a workshop, the past record having been closer to 50 guests.

Following a walking tour of the historic cemetery and discussions of different headstone materials, Appell and Alicia Williams (a cemetery preservation star on social media, known as @ladytaphos) demonstrated the safe and proper way to clean historic monuments – primarily using a special biological solution known as D/2, which not only cleans but also inhibits the growth of biological material such as lichens for up to a year after application. 

After the demonstration, guests went to work cleaning many of the historic headstones in the cemetery. Kenny Libben, curator of the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum who hosted the workshop and provided cleaning supplies, encouraged attendees to come back in a few months to see the progress of the work – noting that as the D/2 solution continues to work, the stones will appear cleaner over time.

Later in the afternoon, Appell and volunteers demonstrated how to properly level, reset and repair leaning headstones, including the disassembly of one using a hoist. 

In addition to the hands-on work, Appell discussed several issues with improper care of cemeteries and how well-intentioned repairs can often cause more harm than good. For example, stones should never be set in concrete – an all-too-common occurrence in older cemeteries. The cement causes several issues, including heaving, wicking moisture to the stone, and applying pressure that can crush the stone. 

Appell demonstrated how easily even a large, multi-piece stone can be reset and leveled in less time than it would take to mix and pour cement.

Building on the workshop, the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum is currently recruiting volunteers to form a group to help clean and repair historic cemeteries in the Mohican area – in addition to hosting more workshops in the future. The museum is also working on policies and procedures to provide to area cemeteries to help communicate proper care of stones. Those interested in participating in the museum’s cemetery task force can reach out to Libben at 419-994-4050 or by email at info@crfmuseum.com.