Preservation vs Conservation
In cultural heritage contexts, preservation and conservation have distinct meanings and are chosen based on the goals for a site or object:
Preservation is used when the primary goal is to maintain the existing state of a structure, site, or object to prevent further deterioration or loss. This approach aims to stabilize and protect without significant alterations, often focusing on overall upkeep, environment control, and safeguarding historic integrity. For example, preservation might involve setting up guidelines to protect a cemetery landscape from environmental damage.
Conservation is applied when the objective is to actively repair or restore damaged parts of an object, site, or structure. It involves specific interventions to prevent decay, often on a more detailed level, such as cleaning and repairing individual headstones in a cemetery to prevent material degradation.
In other words, preservation maintains the whole entity’s state, while conservation addresses specific repairs to stabilize or restore particular parts. Both words are used in the resources below.
Cemetery Care Resources
Supporting the Stewardship of Burial Grounds and Memorials
National Park Service
Cemetery Preservation Course
The National Park Service’s Cemetery Preservation Foundation page offers comprehensive guidance on preserving historic cemeteries. It covers topics such as ethical considerations, master planning, documentation techniques, landscape and vegetation management, safety protocols, and maintaining materials and monuments. It is a fantastic resource for individuals and communities aiming to preserve and protect cemetery sites.
Landscape of Memories
A Guide for Conserving Historic Cemeteries & Repairing Tombstones
This comprehensive guide examines conservation and repair treatments for historic monuments and tombstones, intended for those who will eventually perform the repairs in a historic cemetery. The first chapter describes ways of identifying the types of stone and metal used in Ontario cemeteries so that the proper conservation and repair methods can be selected. This is followed by sections on cleaning stones, common repairs such as resetting markers and repairing breaks, and the characteristics and preparation of mortars used in tombstone repairs.
Restoration Methods
The Cemetery Conservators for United Standards (CCUS)
The CCUS website offers comprehensive guidelines and resources on cemetery preservation, emphasizing “do no harm” methods for cleaning, repairing, and maintaining gravestones and monuments. It also provides information about the organization’s mission, upcoming training events, and membership opportunities for individuals interested in cemetery conservation.
National Park Service
Cemetery Conservation Terms & Definitions
Learn the terminology and definitions involved in cemetery conservation. The focus is to prepare a volunteer, whether a skilled layperson or a conservator in another field, to conduct rapid cemetery assessments. These terms serve as a reference for cemetery and monument conservation.
Cemetery Preservation Associations
Looking to network with groups that have similar interests? Check out these organizations that work directly with cemetery preservation.
The OGS is a leading advocate of cemetery preservation at the State Level
Ohio Genealogical Society
The Ohio Genealogical Society is the largest state genealogical society in the United States, with a mission of protecting and sharing Ohio’s family history resources, developing engaging educational opportunities, and connecting genealogists.
The AGS is a leading advocate of cemetery preservation at the national level
Association for Gravestone Studies
AGS is an international organization with an interest in gravemarkers of all periods and styles. Through its publications, conferences, workshops, and exhibits, AGS promotes the study of gravestones from historical and artistic perspectives, expands public awareness of the significance of historic gravemarkers, and encourages individuals and groups to record and preserve gravestones.
Preservation Community
Preserving Ohio’s Cemeteries Facebook Group
Preserving Ohio’s Cemeteries Facebook group is dedicated to the preservation of Ohio’s cemeteries and protecting the gravesites of those who are interred in them.
National Center for Preservation Technology & Training
Cemetery Conservation Training
Learn the terminology and definitions involved in cemetery conservation. The focus is to prepare a volunteer, whether a skilled layperson or a conservator in another field, to conduct rapid cemetery assessments. These terms serve as a reference for cemetery and monument conservation.