The Western New York Association of Historical Agencies is presenting "Grave Matters," a cemetery preservation workshop at the Cobblestone Museum, and Mount Albion Cemetery in Albion, N.Y. from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7.
The one-day workshop provides information and training on preservation issues, documenting your cemetery and tombstone identification. A hands-on demonstration on proper cleaning and resetting techniques is also offered.
The responsibility for maintaining historic cemeteries is most often in the hands of volunteers who lack any professional experience dealing with preservation issues in cemetery maintenance. Yet the properties are treasured resources for historians, researchers, genealogists and the general public.
Too often, attempts to repair damage only make matters worse. Cemeteries are vulnerable to weather, neglect and vandalism. Grave Matters provides training and information to volunteers that can then be taught to others. This one-day workshop offers preservation techniques through classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations at Albion's historic Mount Albion Cemetery. Among the presenters for this workshop is Bill Lattin, Orleans County historian.
For more information, or to register for the workshop, visit www.wnyaha.org, call Terry Abrams, administrative coordinator, at PO. Box 39, Getzville, NY 14068, phone 439-6293, or email wnyaha@yahoo.com.