2026 West Virginia Cemetery Preservation Workshop Series

What to expect at these workshops: 

Full-day workshops begins at 9:00 am. Please arrive NO LATER than 8:45 am so we may start on time.

9:00 am - 12:30 pm - The morning interactive classroom session begins with a foundational look at the Secretary of the Interior's Core Concepts on Historic Preservation. This segment translates federal standards into "common-sense principles in non-technical language," giving you a clear framework for protecting cultural heritage resources like our cemeteries by understanding the core "why" and "how" behind our preservation work. 

​Following this introduction, the classroom portion covers a comprehensive range of essential cemetery preservation topics, including:
·       Cemetery Documentation: Learn to use modern digital mapping applications and correctly prepare the WV State Historic Preservation Office’s Cemetery Inventory form.
·       Stone Analysis: Explore traditional stone types, deterioration processes and rates, architectural styles, and the hidden meanings behind local iconography and epitaphs.
·       Conservation & Cleaning: Be introduced to safe, hands-on techniques for gravestone cleaning and care along with resetting and repair that strictly meet National Park Service Standards.
·       Landscape & Legalities: Understand the significance of historical cemetery vegetation, why you should not just “cut it all down” and learn to navigate relevant West Virginia Cemetery Codes for family burial grounds.
·       Appalachian History: Discover basic regional funerary and burial customs, alongside some safe, non-destructive methods for reading weathered, "unreadable" stones when you are trying to record your family’s history
This comprehensive morning session provides the exact historical context, preservation basics, and safety guidelines you will need before we head out for afternoon fieldwork.

12:30-1:30pm – LUNCH BREAK – Lunch will be provided.

 1:30-5:30pm - Fieldwork at cemetery  - The afternoon fieldwork session brings the morning's lessons to life with an active, hands-on experience in the cemetery. Your fieldwork sequence will include:
·       Demonstration & Cleaning: Watch a live demonstration on how to safely clean historic masonry, then select a gravestone to clean yourself using provided D/2 Biological Solution.
·       Digital Documentation: Use the mobile applications introduced in class to digitally document your selected stone(s).
·       Conservation Mapping: Learn how to record your interventions on a standard stone conservation sheet and understand why keeping these permanent records is vital.
·       Resetting & Repair: Participate in hands-on training to safely level, reset, and repair a gravestone using National Park Service (NPS) approved materials and techniques.
·       Wrap-Up Q&A: We will conclude the day with a group roundtable discussion to share insights, review the day's work, and answer any final questions.

*What to Wear & Bring:
Because this fieldwork is fully interactive, please wear durable clothes you don't mind getting dirty (long pants are suggested) and closed-toed shoes or boots. Other things you might want to bring: a hat, your own water bottle, bug spray and sunscreen.
 You are also welcome to bring your own work gloves and/or safety glasses if you prefer; however, all nitrile gloves, structural brushes, D/2 cleaner, and specialty preservation tools will be fully provided. We also have safety glasses available for use if you do not bring your own.

*Important Safety Note:
​To keep everyone safe during the fieldwork session, closed-toed shoes or boots are required for hands-on participation. If you wear sandals or open-toed shoes, you will still be welcome to observe, but you will not be able to participate in the physical preservation work or cleaning.