The Western New York Association of Historical Agencies (WNYAHA) will present “Grave Matters,” a cemetery preservation workshop, at the Cobblestone Museum, and Mount Albion Cemetery in Albion on Tuesday, August 7, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This one-day workshop provides information and training on preservation issues, documenting a cemetery, and tombstone identification. A hands-on demonstration on proper cleaning and resetting techniques is also offered.
The responsibility for maintaining historic cemeteries is most often in the hands of volunteers who lack any professional experience dealing with preservation issues in cemetery maintenance. Yet these properties are treasured resources for historians, researchers, genealogists and the general public, according to the association.
Too often, attempts to repair damage only make matters worse. Cemeteries are vulnerable to weather, neglect, and vandalism. Grave Matters provides training and information to volunteers that can then be taught to others. This one day workshop offers preservation techniques through classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations at Albion’s historic Mount Albion Cemetery. Among the presenters for this workshop is Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin.
Grave Matters is sponsored in part by Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes of Albion and Holley.
WNYAHA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit service organization that provides information, training, and networking opportunities to cultural heritage organizations in western New York.
For information, or to register for the workshop, go to www.wnyaha.org, or contact Terry Abrams, administrative coordinator, at PO. Box 39, Getzville, NY, 14068, phone (716) 439-6293, or email at wnyaha@yahoo.com.
