By Sharyn Davis

If your love of genealogy and history has landed you in some overgrown, run-down cemeteries with unmaintained and broken headstones, and you find yourself saying, “What can I do about this?” here is a suggestion. Check out Atlas Preservation, a family-owned company from Southington, CT. https://atlaspreservation.com/ They are winding up a 48-state tour of Gravestone Preservation Workshops, teaching anyone willing to learn the proper techniques for cleaning, leveling, up-righting, and even repairing broken stones. Their remaining 2023 schedule can be found here https://48statetour.com/schedule. I’m sure they will schedule more tours in 2024, but in the meantime, there are many informative videos, an FAQ section, and before and after photos on their site.

Please, if you feel compelled to clean and preserve these old gravestones, take some time, and learn the proper techniques. Using the incorrect cleaning tools and solutions can do more harm than good. I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop near me this summer; it was well worth spending the day in 90-degree weather. I learned a lot from Jon Appell, Atlas Preservation owner; he is very knowledgeable in his field.

Be sure to look for my extended article in the next issue of The Pennsylvania Mayflower.