News
Gravestone Restoration Workshop
Posted by Kim Gobbi on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 @ 12:00 AM
 Join Ghlee Woodworth and Jonathan Appell on October 24 and 25 when they will embark upon the lofty goal of training and mobilizing volunteers to preform basic preservation procedures to continue to restore and maintain Newburyport's historic Old Hill Burying Ground.
Volunteers will learn cleaning techniques, how to reset tilted stones and rejoin fractured tablet stones. The weekend's effort will center on training a group of individuals and city workers in gravestone restoration techniques. Then the group will be able to utilize these skills in restoring Old Hill Burying Ground during the next ten months.
The project's long term goal is to help Newburyport become a role model and proactive leader in restoring a valuable historic assets as well as a leader in gravestone restoration. Moreover, Newburyport will have the opportunity to be a state model for the effective use of Community Preservation funds to benefit the city and make people aware of the historic significance of local burying grounds.
 We are fortunate to have the services of Jonathan Appell who is a gravestone conservator facilitating training workshops throughout the United States, including gravestone and cemetery monument conservation; historic cemetery preservation planning; and gravestone and monument conservation workshops. Jon has studied sculpture, mold making, and stone carving; and is a trustee of the Association for Gravestone Studies. He is based in West Hartford, Connecticut. The workshop is sponsored by the Newburyport Community Preservation Funds 2009 and the City Improvement Society who received a $10,000 grant for the Old Hill Burying Ground gravestone restoration project. The Newburyport Department of Public Works is a co-sponsor (contributing manpower, sand, gravel, equipment, and water).
Schedule:
Saturday, October 24 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, October 25, 9:00 am (the morning will focus on more advanced techniques for repairing and resetting stones)
Both days are free and open o the the public, donations for the gravestone restoration project will be gratefully accepted.
Participants should plan to bring shovels for hands on learning as well as a lunch and a chair (if needed)
This invitation is extended to Newburyport residents and surrounding communities as well as cemetery staff in Newburyport and surrounding communities, youth groups in service projects, and those interested in restoring their local cemeteries. As well as any interested individual who would like to assist in restoration efforts in Old Hill Burying Ground.
For more information and to register contact Ghlee Woodworth 978 462-2010 or email: tiptoethroughthetombstones@yahoo.com
Some Notable burials in Old Hill Burying Ground
Daniel Balch – father and son – clockmakers
Abner Toppan – cabinetmaker
Timothy Palmer – designed first Chain Bridge over the Merrimack River
Thomas Savage – first silversmith in Bermuda
Gravesites of African Americans
Ministers, sea captains, revolutionary and Civil War veterans
William and Anthony Towle – proprietors of the Wolfe Tavern
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