Testimonials

1. Jonathan – we have gotten so many great responses to the workshop and everyone had positive comments. Thanks again for helping us out and I hope we can schedule another workshop!

Holly Hope
Special Projects Historian
Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

2. Hi Jonathan,
An update. You did a workshop here in Cranbury at our two cemeteries connected with the First Presbyterian Church. That was in 2009. Since then we have been working at restoring the cemeteries, using the techniques we learned at your workshop. This Summer we completed the restoration of the Westminster Cemetery and erected a sign at the completion of the project (see photo). We are actively working on The Brainerd Cemetery now and a completion date is far in the future. We couldn't have done the restoration without you and the workshop. Many thanks from all of us.
Fritz Hager

3. Hi Jon,
Thank you for coming to Wyoming, everyone seemed to really enjoy the day and came away with some great experiences.

Laura Nowlin
Historic Preservation Specialist
Monuments and Markers Program Coordinator
Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office

4. Hi Jon,
Thank you for a wonderful day! Class was great and everyone was happy that attended.

See the attached link for the Brighton Patch article with photos.
Jim Vichich
President
Brighton Area Historical Society

5. “I first met Mr. Appell in June of 2008 during a cemetery conservation workshop he led at the 2008 Association of Gravestone Studies Conference in Amherst, MA. I was impressed by Mr. Appell's knowledge of cemetery conservation and his focus on applying that knowledge to resolve cemetery conservation issues. In November of 2008 and October of 2010 I organized cemetery conservation workshops in Wilmington, NC and in Asheville, NC, respectively, with Mr. Appell as the lead conservator. Both workshops were well-attended. Based on data from exit surveys, Mr. Appell succeeded in gaining a 100% approval rating from the participants in both conferences. Jon Appell is recognized as one of the premier cemetery conservation specialists in the United States. Mr. Appell has over 20 years of experience working as a monument installer and cemetery contractor, since 1986, which included partially re-setting and repairs, some of it historic. Mr. Appell has nine years of experience working full time exclusively on historic gravestones, monuments, and historic masonry structures and has applied his talents in such places as: The Congressional Cemetery, Washington DC The Granary Burying Ground, Boston, MA and First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Greensboro, NC. Mr. Appell is congenial, knowledgeable and very easy to work with. I found his communication with participants of all levels of knowledge to be professional. I most cases Mr. Appell would exceed his expected work output. Flexibility, reliability and professionalism are all qualities that Mr. Appell exhibited consistently thought my work experience with him. Without reservations of any sort, I would highly recommend Mr. Appell.” February 2, 2011

Roderick Kevin Donald, PhD & RPA
Archaeologist, North Carolina Office of State Archaeology Research Center

6. Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value

“Jonathan, at my request, looked at photos for a very large Brownstone Monument which was cracked and soon would fall apart. The size and scale of the job were beyond the scope of any repair work we had done in the town cemetery. The 1800's brownstone was at serious risk. After the consultation Jonathan's team went to work and the long needed repairs were made, the stone returned to a like new condition. I was impressed on seeing the grounds cleaned spotless at the work site and the work finished in such a timely manner. We are so happy with the results that we will have hime return to do other repairs and continue to use his services for our cemetery repair needs. Carolyn Stearns Sexton, Town of Mansfield, Ct.” November 20, 2010

Carolyn Stearns