Cemetery preservation focus of county historical society’s spring lecture series

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Kingsbury Cemetery will be the location of a workshop on gravestone cleaning on Thursday, May 5.

The Washington County Historical Society will present its Cronkite Lecture Series during the month of May. The series is a set of lectures dedicated to the memory of James Cronkite, a long-time member and contributor to the Washington County Historical Society.

This year’s lecture series during Preservation Month will focus on cemetery preservation in Washington County. Programs will be presented every Thursday evening in May and will examine cemetery restoration techniques, projects and organizations in the North Country. Three of the programs will be held at the Canal Street Marketplace at 63 Canal St. in Fort Edward on Thursday, May 12, 19 and 26.

The first program, on Thursday, May 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. will be a demonstration of stone cleaning at the Kingsbury Cemetery on Route 4, north of Hudson Falls and south of Fort Ann. The program is being coordinated with the Kingsbury Cemetery Association, who will have representatives on hand to answer any questions pertaining to the Kingsbury Cemetery.

The stone-cleaning demonstration will take place on Thursday, May 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The presenter, Brian Raymond, a former professional cemetery restorer, will explain the “do’s and don’ts” of stone cleaning, the first rule being “do no harm.”

Raymond will first instruct people in the proper techniques of cleaning different types of stone. Stone should first be cleaned with soap and water, a soft bristled brush and plenty of elbow grease. Raymond also will discuss chemical cleaning products such as D/2 and Wet and Forget and the best ways to use them. This session will include information on several different types of stone and the different degrees of deterioration of gravestones that need to be handled differently in each case.

The program will start with a brief overview of the proper techniques used to clean gravestones, after which Raymond will answer questions and then divide participants into groups to work on cleaning a gravestone. Historical society members will be part of each group to help clean and guide participants with Raymond overseeing.

The program will be conducted at the Kingsbury Cemetery located on Route 4 next to the Kingsbury Firehouse. The Kingsbury Cemetery Association asks that participants not park in front of the firehouse doors. Participants should bring a clean bucket, soft bristled brush, toothpicks and rubber gloves, as well as a towel to dry off after the program.

Class size is limited, so call the historical society for reservations at 518-747-9108.

The second session on Thursday, May 12, will feature Joseph Ferrannini discussing the work he has done in North Country cemeteries. Ferrannini worked on the Salem Revolutionary Cemetery in Salem, New York. He also has worked in a number of cemeteries in the North Country and has restored cemeteries around the country. The talk will take place at 6:30 p.m., at the Canal Street Marketplace.

The third session on Thursday, May 19, will be presented by Jamey Greenough, whose subject will be the work he has done to restore cemeteries in Vermont and New York. Greenough is forming an association to help restore cemeteries in New York State. This talk also will be held at the Canal Street Marketplace at 6:30 p.m.

The final session on Thursday, May 26, will be the fourth annual Washington County Historical Society Preservation Award Ceremony. The society will honor projects and people who have worked to preserve the architecture and history of Washington County. This year’s award winners are from the towns of Salem, Kingsbury, White Creek and Fort Edward.

For more information, check the society’s Facebook page or call the Washington County Historical Society at 518-747-9108.