Advanced Cemetery Preservation Workshop

Advanced Cemetery Preservation Workshop
September 13, 2025
9 AM – 3 PM ET
Glenwood Historical Cemetery and Arboretum – Flint, Michigan
$95 per participant (includes all materials and safety gear)
The Michigan Historic Preservation Network invites you to an advanced, full-day training in cemetery preservation on the historic grounds of Glenwood Historical Cemetery and Arboretum in Flint. Designed for caretakers, advanced volunteers, and preservation professionals, this workshop offers in-depth instruction on the ethical, material, and technical aspects of gravestone conservation in Michigan.
Registration Deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025
Led by Dr. Thomas Henthorn (University of Michigan-Flint), Suzy Ferguson (A Loving Legacy), and Melanie Purkis (historic masonry specialist, Purkis Cemetery Preservation), the workshop features a mix of expert presentations, live demonstrations, and supervised hands-on cleaning practice.
Workshop Agenda:
- Welcome and Introduction – Thomas Henthorn
An overview of the day’s goals and a brief history of Glenwood Cemetery. - Ethics, Permissions, and Planning – Thomas Henthorn
A focused discussion on legal and ethical issues in cemetery preservation, including obtaining permission, respecting descendant communities, and planning appropriate interventions. - Materials in Michigan Cemeteries – Thomas Henthorn
Learn to identify and assess common stone types—such as marble, limestone, sandstone, and granite—and understand their preservation needs and vulnerabilities. - Headstone Cleaning Techniques – Suzy Ferguson, A Loving Legacy
A comprehensive session on conservation-approved cleaning practices:- Products: Selecting biological and chemical cleaners appropriate for historic stone
- Methods: Step-by-step demonstration of effective and safe cleaning techniques
- Dos and Don’ts: Key principles to avoid unintentional damage
- Hands-On Cleaning: Participants will clean historic markers under guided supervision
- Lunch Break
- Lifting and Setting Stones (Demonstration Only) – Thomas Henthorn and Suzy Ferguson
Participants will observe a live demonstration of how to safely assess, lift, and reset fallen or leaning grave markers using preservation-grade tools and techniques. - Adhesives and Mortars for Historic Stone Repair – Melanie Purkis
Learn about the selection and use of adhesives and lime mortars in gravestone conservation. Topics include preparation, mixing, application, and long-term performance in Michigan’s climate.