WVGS holding cemetery restoration workshop

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society (WVGS) will be hosting a Cemetery Restoration Workshop on June 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Fayette Township.

The Cemetery Restoration Workshop will be conducted by Brad Manzenberger. Brad is owner of the Stone Revival Cemetery Restoration of Franklin and has been doing cemetery restoration projects since 2004.

He became interested in cemetery restoration though his genealogy research. After visiting the graves of his ancestors, only to find many of the markers on the ground and broken, he decided to learn how to care for his family headstones. What started out as a personal hobby grew into a few time business.

Brad has attended several restoration workshops sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

He has also attended a National Center for Preservation Technology and Training Workshop. Manzenberger has been recognized by the City of Franklin for organizing a volunteer effort to reset two dozen markers knocked over by vandals at the Greenlawn Cemetery.

The cemetery is located in a primitive, wooded area with no conveniences nearby. You'll need to dress for the area and weather, so be sure to watch the weather forecast.

It will be best to wear work clothes, sturdy shoes or boots and gloves. Some items you may want to bring would include a sack lunch and drinks, lawn chair, hand cleaner and towels, insect repellant, safety glasses, camera, cell phone, and sunscreen.

For those who intend to be observing only, may not need all items suggested for hands-on involvement. A Port-a-Potty will be located on site.

This workshop is open to the public, as well as to all Wabash Valley Genealogy Society members. Cost for the workshop is $20 for WVGS members and $25 for non-members. Deadline for registration is June 11.

To register and pay in advance for this class, contact: Linda Gregory, genealogyrocks1n2n3@gmail.com, (812) 240-14058 orwvgs@inwvgs.org.

Registration can be paid by paypal on the website www.inwvgs.org or by mailing a payment to the following address: WVGS, PO Box 9347, Terre Haute, IN 47808-9347, after registering for the workshop.

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