3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA
3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA

3-Day Professional Gravestone Preservation Workshop - Bedford, VA

Gravestone & Monument Preservation Workshop - Professional Training

Dates: Thursday April 17th - Saturday April 19th 2025
Location: Bedford Virginia, Historic Longwood Cemetery
Instructor: Jonathan Appell: CEO, Atlas Preservation & Expert Gravestone Conservator
Attendance: 12-15 people max
Certificate of attendance will be received upon completion

 

This is an intensive training opportunity with limited attendance. It is intended for anyone seeking knowledge ranging from beginners to those already working on the field. The target audience includes conservators, architects, monument companies, masons, cemetery & municipal staff, dedicated volunteers, etc.

 

Atlas Preservation has conducted over 200 one day long workshops in all the lower 48 states since 2020. All 48 State Tour events have been free and open to the public with unlimited attendance. These events are a great crash course and introduction to the subject of monument preservation. However, the events are short, and the group size limits hands-on participation. You can learn more about these events at 48statetour.com.

 

The following conservation treatments will be conducted during the workshop:

 

Please note that the exact scope of the workshop is partially site specific, varying with the type of stones, and needs of the cemetery where the workshop is conducted.

The overall objective of this 3-day long workshop event is as follows:

  1. To explain the actions planned to be taken

  2. To demonstrate the techniques

  3. Attendee participation: to perform the work under supervision as confidence and skills increase throughout the duration of the event

The following conservation treatments will be conducted during the workshop:

Please note that the exact scope of the workshop is partially site specific, varying with the type of stones, and needs of the cemetery where the workshop is conducted.

 

As part of this workshop, we will repair a large 10ft marble monument (overall height) and uncover a completely buried 6ft fallen obelisk, which will be raised and reset onto a reconstructed multiple piece pedestal. In order to complete this repair, we will construct a large 14ft tripod.

  • To start, the workshop will begin with a walk and talk tour to survey the existing conditions of the terrain, gravestones and monuments on the site. This is an interactive tour in which questions and discussion are encouraged.

  • Stone & masonry cleaning will be covered in much greater detail that at shorter events, including graffiti removal, rust & mineral staining from hard water, etc. Stone identification becomes important when there is a need to employ more aggressive cleaning products as some may be acidic and not advised for marble, limestone and carbonate stone.

  • Perform the re-setting of a tablet-stones, which may be in badly leaning, and/or sunken conditions.

  • Reconstruct multi-piece monuments. This will involve discussion on material selection and options. The process will include a few examples.

  • Join fractured gravestone fragments together employing stone epoxy, clamping and bracing techniques and options.

  • Gravestone repair brackets will be employed on one fractured tablet stone.

  • We will discuss the pros and cons of drilling and employing blind pinning. Varying dowel materials will be overviewed and employed when needed.

  • An overhead, lifting tripod will be constructed and employed. We will discuss slings and rigging options, and rig and lift monuments.

  • Theory, principles and techniques applicable to all historic masonry structures, how it differs from modern construction, why restoration materials need to be properly chosen.

  • The problems associated with sealing stone will be explained including the action of rising damp. The process and potential need for consolidation of weak and decayed gravestones and need for breathable water repellants & consolidation options.

  • How to replace eroded or lost stone with the use of stone infill material including discussion on how historic mortars differ from modern cement products, binder, aggregate and pigment options discussion. Formulation of restoration mortars, preparation of substrate, application and after care of mortar work.