Landscape Architect Articles

Maple Grove Chicora Foundation01-01-05 | News

Maple Grove
Chicora Foundation

Cemetery Preservation

By Michael Trinkley, Ph.D, director,
Chicora Foundation, Inc.

On projects such as Maple Grove it is critical to determine exactly how many unmarked graves are present and where they are located. Chicora uses a penetrometer to measure ground compaction. As a result of their initial study at Maple Grove, they identified 319 unmarked graves and an additional 471 graves marked by stones, monuments, or other markers.

When you care for a cemetery on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, it’s easy to forget that the cemetery landscape is actually quite complex–representing a blend of a sacred space, an art garden or outdoor museum, an archive of irreplaceable historical information, and a scenic landscape. Simply put, cemeteries are important social, historic, architectural, and archaeological artifacts and activities must respect each of these functions equally. Too often, however, we see poor management coupled with poor maintenance, leading to a disastrous decline in the beauty, integrity and functionality of the cemetery.

Some caregivers grasp the importance of this totality and work to achieve a unified plan of operation. For example, the cemetery committee at the Maple Grove United Methodist Church in Waynesville, North Carolina determined that their cemetery–dating well into the early 1800s, perhaps even earlier–needed to be evaluated for its long-term preservation needs. In addition, they wanted to know how many people were really buried in the cemetery since there seemed to be a very large number of unmarked graves.

Chicora Foundation began this work conducting a penetrometer survey to identify the unmarked graves. A penetrometer is a device that measures ground compaction and is often used by law enforcement to find clandestine graves. The principle is simple–without artificial compacting, a grave will never exhibit the same compaction as the surrounding, undisturbed soil.

Mapping at Maple Grove accurately recorded the location of marked and unmarked graves. Mapping can be accomplished by either gridding the graveyard in 20-foot units or by using two known points and triangulating the location of stones.

A plan of the cemetery was produced, with each monument or grave assigned a unique tracking number. This plan also included other significant cemetery features, such as roads, fences, terraces (the cemetery is in western North Carolina, about an hour west of Asheville), and prominent vegetation. Such a map is essential for long-range planning purposes, helping to document what is present, where it is located and how it may interact with other features.

We used a standardized form to record essential information about each grave, including a complete transcription of the monument (not just the name and dates), the grave orientation, and condition of the marker. Most were also photographed. This survey provided basic information on all of the marked and unmarked graves, and provides baseline information to help track the condition of the cemetery. Again, such an inventory is a critical first step in the preservation of a cemetery. Not only will it be used to determine treatment priorities, but it will be invaluable should the cemetery suffer either a natural or man-made disaster.

The marker assessment information took into consideration such problems as soiling, physical damage, tilting or toppling and previous repair efforts. This not only contributed to the baseline information, but also helped establish repair priorities for the cemetery. Over the next several years Chicora became involved in conducting conservation treatments at the cemetery, helping to preserve the cemetery?EUR??,,????'???s beauty and history.

This wooden “Sumter” marker as well as this colonial era grave are examples of the historic and archaeological artifacts that an older cemetery such as Maple Grave is faced with when starting a comprehensive preservation and restoration project.

Here at Chicora we work hard to explain the difference between conservation and restoration. We point out that restoration frequently means making something like new–and this can cause serious damage to the fragile stones or landscape. The goal of conservation is the preservation of the original fabric, respecting the intent of the artisan and family. Conservation seeks to stem or retard deterioration. For every treatment we urge clients to consider several factors:

Is the treatment really necessary? What are the consequences of not acting–what are the consequences of acting? Professional conservation requires that the treatment be compatible, that it respect the original fabric and that it be proven to work. Sometimes less is more.
Is the treatment appropriate? For example, if infill is necessary will the materials match the original stone in strength and porosity? Can the treatment be “undone” if a better approach is identified?
Does the proposed treatment respect the original fabric? Ideally, the treatment should be as nearly invisible as possible, allowing the public to appreciate the beauty of the original stone, not the artistry of the conservator. It is always far better to retain the original stone than to replace it.

A conservator will be a member of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and will subscribe to the AIC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. They will provide a treatment proposal–outlining precisely what will be done, how it will be done and the cost. After the treatment is complete you will be provided with a treatment report that provides even more detail on the work conducted on that particular stone. These are critical records that every cemetery should maintain in perpetuity.

Sometimes we are asked how the work of a conservator will differ from that of a modern monument company. Monument firms are familiar with modern materials and fresh stones. Old sugaring marble, spalling sandstone or delaminating slate are very different from modern materials–and monument companies have neither the training nor expertise to treat these problems. In fact, the use of inappropriate materials such as epoxies can cause far more damage than the original problem. First, the epoxy joint does not allow the free movement of moisture through the stone, often causing spalling and delamination. Second, the epoxy joint is typically far stronger than the stone itself and this promotes a new break, just above or below the joint line. Third, the continuous joint is often difficult or impossible to hide and this detracts from the beauty of the original stone.

Mowing in historic cemeteries must be limited to a walk-behind 21-inch or smaller mower and no mowing should be allowed within a foot of any stone or marker. Close trimming must be done using small diameter (0.08-inch) nylon trimmers.

At Maple Grove (and dozens of other cemeteries where we have worked), our treatments ranged from the simple to the sublime. In some cases all that is needed is resetting a monument that is loose and in danger of toppling. In fact, such treatments have a very high priority since they not only help prevent future, more costly, damage to the monument, but also protect the public. In other cases the work was more complex, repairing broken markers or replacing lost parts of a monument. For such repairs we use compatible products, such as Jahn mortars (Cathedral Stone Products, Inc., 7266 Park Circle Drive, Hanover, Maryland 21076, 800-684-0901), high lime materials available from either U.S. Heritage Group (3516 North Kostner Ave., Chicago, IL 60641, 773-286-2100), or Virginia Lime Works (P.O. Box 516 Monroe, VA 24574, 434-929-8113) - carefully avoiding Portland cement, acrylic or other synthetic polymers, and other artificial materials.

Another aspect of our work at Maple Grove was the nomination of the cemetery to the National Register of Historic Places (www.cr.nps.gov/NR/). The nomination is often seen as largely honorific, testifying to the site’s importance to the local community. But it does provide other benefits, including consideration in planning of federal projects that might affect the cemetery, tax benefits (although rarely are cemeteries taxed) and ability to apply for preservation funds in some states. In the case of Maple Grove, the caregivers wanted to recognize the importance of the cemetery to the local community, emphasizing its unique character and ability to provide important information concerning the history of the region.

While nominations to the National Register can be prepared by the caregivers, the effort typically takes several weeks of historic research and preparation of documents–so it may be more cost-effective to hire a preservation consultant to do the work. In our case, we have prepared nominations for a number of cemeteries including several African American cemeteries in South Carolina.

The caregivers at Maple Grove also looked to Chicora for assistance with a variety of landscape issues, including appropriate care of the grounds–such as appropriate mowing that wouldn’t damage the stones, fertilization that used products compatible with the stones and general practices that enhanced the long-term preservation of the rural setting.

Appropriate maintenance is costly, requiring careful attention and techniques that are often rarely used in residential or commercial settings. Mowing in historic cemeteries must be limited to walk-behind mowers and stay a foot away from any stone or marker and all debris should be carefully swept off stones. Workers must realize that the damage they cause will be very costly to repair–if repair is even possible.

Develop a future-oriented master plan. Damage can be avoided by proper maintenance since It’s just as important to prune trees that may be susceptible to wind or hurricane damage as it is to keep plantings from damaging the graves themselves.

Fertilizers in a cemetery setting should rely on natural organic, slow release materials that have a low salt index (such as cotton seed meal, superphospate, and potassium sulfate), and avoid the commercial synthetic fertilizers (such as ammonium nitrate, diammonium phosphate, and potassium chloride) that have high salt indices. The problem with salts is that they leach into the stone and may cause spalling or delamination as they attempt to exit the stone. But even the low salt fertilizers should still be carefully swept off monuments to further reduce potential problems.

Even this brief introduction probably suggests that the care of a historic cemetery takes a great deal of effort and special attention. Too often commercial landscape services, municipal agencies or private caregivers simply don’t have the expertise to fully understand how a seemingly simple decision (like what fertilizer is used) will affect the long-term preservation of the monuments. Often the result not only damages the historic fabric of the cemetery, but also creates terrible local public relations. In one Georgia community the local government came into the cemetery and, on the pretext of “cleaning up”, destroyed 100-year old azaleas. In a North Carolina cemetery a local monument firm hired to “restore” monuments used black permanent markers to put big x’s on stones they intended to repair. In one Virginia cemetery we were asked what could be done after the stones were “cleaned” with a wire brush. And at one New York City cemetery, well known for its rural setting, the superintendent is still removing fencing and coping that he has decided is “deteriorated”–in spite of its historic significance.

After 21 years in preservation, we have some simple guidance. The most important is to retain a conservator that specializes in historic cemeteries to help your team evaluate the issues you may be facing and, in particular, develop a preservation plan. That plan–like the one for Maple Grove–should focus on long-term goals, while still retaining enough flexibility to adapt to changes. It should pay equal attention to the landscape and the monuments, recognizing that both are critical components of the history, the beauty, and the significance of your cemetery.

Considering the landscape, the consultant should explore issues such as the vegetation, circulation, security and vandalism and site amenities. Looking at the monuments, consideration should be given to the damage caused by both people and nature, with a special focus on the problems inherent in the types of stone present.

The plan should help establish priorities, realizing that few cemetery groups have the ability to fund all work immediately. Even priorities should be flexible. It is easy to say that the monument most likely to fall down tomorrow should be given immediate attention, but sometimes it is important to recognize that treating a monument less urgently needing intervention will generate more public support–and more funding–that will help those other monuments which may need urgent assistance.

A final part of the preservation plan must also consider the management, operation and staffing of the cemetery. A plan that lays out grand goals, but fails to recognize that the staff consists of one person, or a very poorly funded historical society, is a plan doomed to failure.

A good plan will also recognize certain “truths” in preservation. One is that we must embrace conservation and rehabilitation in a contemporary context. This is not 1870. Hearses are no longer pulled by horses. Cemetery plots are rarely tended by family members. We need to retain core, significant elements of the historic context, but we must do so realizing that some changes are necessary. How, then, can we reconcile the old with the new? Following on the heels of this issue is the realization that whatever we do, we must make certain that it is compatible with the historic fabric of the cemetery.

We should also work diligently to improve access in historic cemeteries. The presence of people dramatically deters vandalism. As people become reacquainted with historic properties a new sense of place is created in the community and there is a renewed pride in the history and heritage of the cemetery. Access also means making changes, if possible, that allow those with disabilities the ability to visit the cemetery, looking at the grave sites of their loved ones.

And finally, we should strive to increase the passive use of the cemetery–especially focusing on educational opportunities. This brings people, especially children, into the cemetery and creates a new generation aware of the importance of historic preservation, and especially historic cemeteries. The goal of good cemetery management, then, is to ensure that our historic cemeteries not just survive, but thrive, well into the next century.

MONUMENT Repair Tips

Cleaning of Monuments

For more information about cleaning cemetery monuments, go to www.chicora.org/cleaning.htm

Chicora has a 21-year history of heritage preservation, primarily in the Southeast, but they do consulting as far away as Montana and New York. Their work in cemetery preservation includes:

Chicora is a member of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). As such they voluntarily subscribe to the AIC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. They are also a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Association for Gravestone Studies and the Southeast Regional Conservation Association.

For additional information on a wide range of cemetery preservation topics check out their website at www.chicora.org/cemetery_preservation.htm. There are also several pdf files on good cemetery landscaping practice, a typical cemetery landscape maintenance contract, and information on appropriate fertilizers at www.chicora.org/lawn_maintenance.htm

Chicora Foundation routinely offers cemetery preservation courses where your staff can learn more about the preservation of historic cemeteries, including the development of a preservation plan, determining appropriate conservation methods, understanding the different materials used in conservation, the history of cemetery design in the United States, the different types of monuments you’re likely to run into and more. Many of these workshops are offered through the National Preservation Institute, available online at www.npi.org/sem-cemet.html