Classes
We have taught around 60 classes on cemetery preservation as of the close of the 2019 season. We have instructed in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. We will continue to offer classes every season as well as taking a very active role in a large yearly Cemetery Conservators for United Standards 2 day class. Below is a link to the upcoming 2020 CCUS class east of Cincinnati.
https://cemeteryconservatorsunitedstandards.org/2020-ccus-class-registration/
If you or your organization is interested in Gravestone Guardians of Ohio coming to teach a 1 or 2 day class at your cemetery, please reach us preferably through Facebook at… https://www.facebook.com/Gravestone-Guardians-of-Ohio-538662842826649/ This is where we are most easily reached and where we do almost all of the advertising for GGO classes and have all the up to date information and changes. It is much easier to advertise, update, and change things there than on the website. We can also be reached at… gravestoneguardians@gmail.com
GGO and CCUS classes teach the same 6 basics. The following is what is offered in these classes.
Classes & Training for Cemetery Preservation
We cover the 6 basic & most important steps to cemetery preservation.
1…CLEANING…Proper grave marker cleaning with a safe & gentle biowash product. The same one used at Arlington National Cemetery.
2…THE SIMPLE 2 PIECE TABLET & BASE SOCKET…We will reset a marble tombstone in a sandstone base by leveling the base & mortaring in the tombstone.
3…TABLET SET…We will dig a level a slot in the ground & use the rule of 1/3’s to teach the proper way to set a simple tablet type of tombstone. This procedure is also the way similar upright military markers are placed.
4…EPOXY…A demonstration of how to clean, align, & fix a broken tablet with a state of the art epoxy will be given.
5…SMALL MULTI PIECE MONUMENT RECONSTRUCTION…A small monument will be chosen & used as an example. This is where we use the tri-pod, hoist, & straps to disassemble the monument, clean it, level it, & reassemble it.
6…INFILL INSTRUCTION…This is the final touch to tombstone & monument repair. It’s basically the fine mortar used to fill in cracks & aesthetic damage when the repairs are finished.
All further details concerning methods, practices, or products can be found at http://cemeteryconservatorsunitedstandards.org/ or will be emailed to the host of the class in a pdf form to be emailed to the class participants.
Fayette County Indiana class 2015
After the stone has been checked for stability, anyone can learn how to clean.
Highland County Ohio class 2016
There are several types of slotted bases. We will choose one from the cemetery & properly mortar it into place.
Work site Clermont County Ohio 2016
Tablet sets are very common especially in the older the cemeteries. This lesson will be especially helpful for setting govt. issue military markers
Hocking Valley SAR sponsored class 2015
Tablet breaks are some of the most common repairs needed in a cemetery preservation.
Hocking Valley SAR sponsored class 2015
Loose, leaning, or fallen multi piece monuments are another common issue in any cemetery preservation.
Lapeer Michigan class 2014
Infill is the final step in repairing a broken tablet or monument. It’s what keeps out the weather & dresses the stone
My fee will cover…travel expenses, hotel stay if needed, supplies such as cleaners, epoxies, mortars & tools such as tripod, hoist, straps, & misc. tools & all described from above. We also have a very good social network that we will use to help advertise & promote registration for the class.
You are responsible for paying my fee, finding a cemetery with all the work examples from above, obtaining the necessary permissions from that cemetery, handling the registration of participants & collecting their fees if they are charged. Lunch, restrooms, & drinking water is up to you & at your discretion.
There are only 2 things we must have on site to complete any of the work above. 1…a water source of some kind & 2…a small supply of gravel for packing & leveling. Crushed limestone or the smaller chip. Crushed is best.
This is an example of an add I put together & posted heavily in a 100 mile radius & state wide.
You MUST obtain permission from whoever is in charge of this cemetery ahead of time
We MUST have the following from you
The things I need to know to plan & advertise the class
1…Who is sponsoring the class?
2…The date of the class?
3…Time?
4…A hard physical address? A GPS is nice to have as well…
5…How much is the class fee?
6…Who is the contact person?
7…What is the contact person info?
