| Historic Cemetery Preservation |
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| First Steps |
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When historic cemeteries are overgrown it can be hard to know where to begin. To ensure work is positive and doesn't inadvertently cause damage, begin by recording what is there. Then move slowly through the clean up process, using various resources to learn the best practices for preservation.
First Steps for Historic Cemeteries
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| Marker Cleaning |
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Caring people are often fooled by the seemingly strong materials that form cemetery markers, monuments and structures. Marble, granite, concrete and other materials are quite sensitive and should be treated with great care. Monuments and markers should be only cleaned every four to five years, following recommended guidelines.
How to Clean Cemetery Markers
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| Cemetery Clean Up |
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Almost anyone can help with cemetery clean up and marker clean. With strong guidance and supervision youth groups, church groups, community service workers and penal work crews are great sources of quality labor at low or no cost. Check with your local schools, churches and law enforcement to find about these groups.
For the Salem area contact:
Oregon Department
of Corrections
Dan Bielenberg
Inmate Work Programs Coordinator Inmate Grievance Coordinator
Oregon Department of Corrections
(503) 378-2144 ext. 258
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| Seek Professional Help |
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Sometimes you can't do it all yourself. Consider hiring consultants and contracts for major planning and projects, heavy monuments, particularly fragile pieces. Always be sure to check references and find about preservation experience.
Contractors List [PDF]
Consultants List [PDF]
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