We have one tombstone in our collection and we accepted it because, 1)it had
been removed from its original location over 50 years ago, 2) a descendent
of the person who's stone it is gave it to us, and 3) (most importantly) the
stone represented the work of a local slave stone carver whose style is
unique and identifiable. I do not plan to accept any other tombstones.

First and foremost, I think that the fact that you neither have the space
nor the resources to properly care for the stones would automatically
preclude you from taking them. Does your state have an office that handles
gravesite issues (Maryland does and if I remember correctly I think it is
within the office of the Attorney General)? Your email looks like you might
be in PA - if so you might want to contact the Pennsylvania History and
Museum Commission in Harrisburg for some advise.

Heidi Campbell-Shoaf, Curator
Historical Society of Frederick County
24 East Church Street
Frederick, Md. 21701
www.hsfcinfo.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Benjamin Neely
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 11:40 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: tombstones

Dear List,

I am writing to see if any other museums have experience with individuals
giving tombstones for their collections.  I have not had tombstones brought
here on my watch but I have many tombstones accepted over the past twenty
years or so.   

Individuals, even the police, have brought eighteenth and nineteenth century
tombstones to our organization over the years.  The stones come to us for
various reasons such as the stones are recovered from theft and/or
vandalism, or someone purchases an old farm and find that their stone
walkway between the house and barn is actually made of tombstones most
likely removed from a family cemetery on their property.  

The organization did accession the stones into the collection with a note
that they would only be held until they could be returned to the proper
location.  This ensured that the stones would suffer no further damaged or
improper disposal.  The organization felt a moral obligation to protect the
tombstones. 

I am currently faced with the possibility of more stones coming in without
enough storage space and resources to give proper care or a request from an
individual or organization to remove them from our procession. 

I am not sure how unique our situation is and whether there are any museums
out there that have any policies or procedures to handle tombstones.  

Thanks,
Ben  

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