A Life in Stone; A Historic Cemetery Preservation Workshop

Location of Southwest Virginia Museum in Virginia

Where

Southwest Virginia Museum, 10 West First St. N., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219.
TBD

When

May 4, 2024. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

In nearly every community across the country, cemeteries stand as places of reverence and serve to hold in memory those who came before. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Show me your cemeteries and I will tell you what kind of community you have.” This is still true today. Every monument in every cemetery represents a life lived, and every life lived deserves to be memorialized with dignity.

Join conservators from the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park for a headstone preservation workshop at Big Stone Gap’s Glencoe Cemetery. Park staff and volunteers will share information on the proper methods of cleaning and conserving a variety of grave monuments.

Participants will discover how to identify different types of stone, monument styles, and the characteristics associated with each. A wide array of symbols and meanings found on historic monuments will be explored, as well.

Participants should wear sturdy-toed shoes and dress properly for outdoor activity. All materials and supplies are included Participants will receive a gravestone cleaning kit to take home. Participation is limited. Registration and payment is due by 4 p.m. Friday, April 26.

For more information and to register for the workshop, please call the park

Cemetery .

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: $40.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 276-523-1322
Email Address: SWVAMuseum@dcr.virginia.gov