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Oregon Parks & Recreation Department: Oregon Heritage: Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries

Historic Cemetery Preservation
First Steps
Spring greens!
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
 
Protect a Historic Cemetery [PDF]
Marker Cleaning
Historic Cemeteries Program Workshop
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.
 
Heritage Bulletin 3 - How to Clean Cemetery Markers [PDF]
OCHC Position Paper - Marker Cleaning [PDF]
Cemetery Clean Up
Clean up day!
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.

How to Organize a Cemetery Clean Up Day [PDF] 


Cemetery Vandalism: Tips to Avoid It and Respond to It [PDF]
 
Oregon SOLV offers small grants for local clean up acitivities, your project may qualify. Check out www.solv.org for more information.

Historic Cemetery Maintenance

Cleaning Cemetery Markers [PDF]
Gravemarker Assessment Form [PDF]
Ways to Protect a Historic Cemetery [PDF]
How to Organize a Clean Up
Long Range Planning Workbook [PDF]
Long Range Planning Workbook (rtf)
Cemetery Vandalism [PDF]

Commission Position Papers

Marker Cleaning
Marker Replacement
Paper Record Preservation
Pet Cemeteries

Historic Cemetery Grants

Heritage Programs Grants

Seek Professional Help

Contractors [PDF]
Consultants [PDF]
How to Work with Contractors and Consultants [PDF]