I was very impressed with the Texas Historical Commission's concern for
historic cemeteries and markers, but was (pardon the pun) *gravely*
concerned about the recommended techniques for cleaning the gravestones,
such as:

    - the suggestion to use "a wooden scraper to gently remove the
biological growth.   This process may need to be repeated several times.",
or
    - "wash the stone using natural bristled, wooden handled brushes of
various sizes."

From what I have read, anything whatsoever that touches the surface of the
stone is very likely to abrade and further deteriorate it.  Before risking
further damage by any method that requires touching the surface of the stone
at all, I would strongly suggest exploring non-invasive alternatives.  I
will try to help find some conservative suggestions for their care, as our
small historical society is exploring similar issues for a very early
cemetery in our town.
Lynne


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary L. Kirby" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, March 03, 2002 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: Decorative Stone Preservation


> Greg
>
> I know nothing about the steps to take with exterior decorative stone
> preservation (altho I should for the sake of the 1925-26 Post Office
> building in which our museum is housed) but as far as cemetary
> preservation goes there is great information available at the texas
> historic commission's web site www.thc.state.tx.us  Go to the site they
> have listed about historic cemetaries and you can download instructions
> about the care of historic cemetaries. Many of your stones are similar to
> hours because we had thousands come from Tennessee in the 1830s +, and
> from what I see in northeast Texas, I think some wrote to stone masons
> back home to get their markers. It may be that in the words of Thomas
> Wolfe, "You can't go home again," but "Look Homeward Angel" tells us a
> bit about stone carvers doesn't it.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Mary Kirby
> Historic Upshur Museum
> Gilmer, Tex
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