Honoring Life, Preserving History
Expert headstone and monument cleaning, repair, and restoration services
Honoring Life, Preserving History
Expert headstone and monument cleaning, repair, and restoration services
About Us
Dave & Jenny
To Clean or Not to Clean
Our Philosophy
David and Jenny have been involved in headstone cleaning, repair, and resetting since 2018.
Their interest stemmed from their love of family history and genealogy work, including their work photographing headstones for BillionGraves. Together, they have documented over 171,000 headstones in 340+ cemeteries in three countries. As they trav
David and Jenny have been involved in headstone cleaning, repair, and resetting since 2018.
Their interest stemmed from their love of family history and genealogy work, including their work photographing headstones for BillionGraves. Together, they have documented over 171,000 headstones in 340+ cemeteries in three countries. As they traveled the world photographing, they inevitably encountered headstones that were often illegible or hard to document because the stones needed cleaning or a simple resetting.
Jenny descends from two notable Mayflower passengers: William Bradford and William Brewster. David's first American ancestor arrived on the Shawmut Peninsula, later known as Boston, in 1635. Together, they share a deep love and reverence for their ancestors and is one of the driving motivators in their efforts to preserve headstone history.
In 2018, David and Jenny began volunteer work in Colorado Springs at Evergreen Cemetery under the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society (now known as Evergreen Heritage). Their initial efforts focused on headstone cleaning, which quickly led to them organizing and leading cleaning events for Evergreen Heritage. These events invited the public to receive basic training in cleaning techniques after which these volunteers would spend their time cleaning headstones in designated areas of the cemetery. Collectively, Gravestone Guardians has cleaned or supervised the cleaning of over 2,800 headstones, ranging from the 19th century to the present. We have worked with every type of stone: granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, and slate.
Beginning in 2021, Gravestone Guardians expanded their volunteer work to basic headstone resetting which includes raising, squaring, and leveling ground-supported stones of different types.
David and Jenny have also invested their time and expertise starting in 2024 to restoring the Finger Ground cemetery and Saint Mary of the Snow graveyard in Saugerties, New York. These projects involve the entire range of restoration and preservation from simple tablet stone cleaning and resetting to multiple-piece monument repair.
Our Philosophy
To Clean or Not to Clean
Our Philosophy
Gravestone Guardians follows the preservation and restoration standards and practices set forth by several different entities. Our interaction with many respected, experienced preservationists has shown us that no one approach, or material is the only way. The key to success is keeping an open mind and always learning!
When it comes to doi
Gravestone Guardians follows the preservation and restoration standards and practices set forth by several different entities. Our interaction with many respected, experienced preservationists has shown us that no one approach, or material is the only way. The key to success is keeping an open mind and always learning!
When it comes to doing no harm cleaning and restoration methods, less is more. The least invasive and gentlest methods are always best. Our goal is to clean the stone for either a repair purpose or to make it legible for documentation and prolonged preservation. Every cleaning starts with water and a natural or synthetic brush to remove dirt and pollution build up. If there is biological growth present (moss/lichen), we apply D/2 Biological Solution to stop further growth.
Cleaning should never be about making headstones look brand new and should not detract from the character of the cemetery.
Each headstone repair is unique and must be assessed on its own merit rather than applying the same methods regardless of the stone or the issue.
To Clean or Not to Clean
To Clean or Not to Clean
To Clean or Not to Clean
Cleaning headstones and monuments serves several important purposes:
- Preservation: Regular cleaning helps preserve the integrity of the stone. Dirt, moss, algae, and other contaminants can cause deterioration over time. By removing these, you help prevent damage that could lead to more serious problems.
- Readability: Over time, inscriptions
Cleaning headstones and monuments serves several important purposes:
- Preservation: Regular cleaning helps preserve the integrity of the stone. Dirt, moss, algae, and other contaminants can cause deterioration over time. By removing these, you help prevent damage that could lead to more serious problems.
- Readability: Over time, inscriptions on headstones can become obscured by grime, lichen, or weathering. Cleaning helps ensure that names, dates, and other inscriptions remain legible, preserving the historical and personal significance of the marker.
- Respect: Maintaining a clean and well-kept headstone honors the memory of the deceased and shows respect for their legacy. It reflects care and consideration for the final resting place of loved ones.
- Aesthetic Appeal: A clean headstone or monument enhances the visual appeal of a cemetery or memorial site. This can have a positive impact on the overall atmosphere and experience for visitors.
- Prevention of Further Damage: Regular cleaning can prevent the buildup of substances that might cause damage over time. For example, some biological growths can secrete acids that eat away at the stone. By removing these growths, you can mitigate this risk.
- Historical Accuracy: For monuments with historical significance, keeping them clean helps preserve the accuracy of historical records. This is important for future generations who may study or visit these sites.
When cleaning headstones and monuments, it’s crucial to use appropriate methods and materials to avoid causing damage. Consulting with professionals or following best practices for cleaning different types of stone is advisable.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions help us get the work done. Your generous donation will fund our mission to honor and preserve the legacy of our forebearers by providing expert cleaning, repair, and restoration services for headstones.
