Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project (INPCRP)

 

INDIANA PIONEER CEMETERIES RESTORATION PROJECT

  INPCRP LOGO


A note about this project:   This project is an independent project started by Scott Satterthwaite.  It is not affiliated with any other existing project. 

The state of Indiana is home to thousands of abandoned or neglected pioneer cemeteries, the oldest of which now approach 200 years.   The goal of this project is to identify, protect, restore and preserve as many of these cemeteries as possible. This project was founded on the belief that we owe our pioneer ancestors a better monument than a forgotten grave amid bramble and thicket. 

The Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project was begun in October 1997 as an effort to generate public awareness about  the neglected pioneer cemeteries of Indiana.  Many volunteers have join this effort. 

 

Join us on Facebook  search for Indiana Pioneer Cemetery  Restoration

Apolizes for the broken links, just follow the idea.

     Learn about Restoration
One step at a time
Find a Indiana County Cemetery Commission
Cemetery Restoration
Toolbox

Indiana laws pertaining to
cemeteries & Government
  Indiana Historic Bureau Cemetery Heritage Signs   DNR Indiana Cemetery Preservation page

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APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO PROBE FOR GRAVE MEMORIAL 
 RESTORATION
 PROJECTS IN A CEMETERY    

 If you have questions about a lost cemetery or other questions about laws or destruction.
Please call the State office.

 DNR-DHPA
402 West Washington Street, W274
Indianapolis, IN  46204
317-232-1646 or 317-232-6981

Search this database, where you may find more information on your County. 
 Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database 
called (SHAARD)  

View photos of a past workshop in 2007
 at White Chapel Cemetery in Carmel.

HOW TO FIND A CEMETERY LISTING OR A BURIAL LIST

Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm and attendance.  Remember to share what you have learned in the restoration process. It was good to meet you Jeff Harris and Catherine too.  Thank you for all you do for these workshops. I enjoyed meeting everyone today.  L.A.

 

A really great book for identifing symbols. Stories in Stone,  A field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography.
  By Douglas Keister. Bibbs Smith Publishing, Salt Lake City

Hands: If the  index finger pointed up, this is the sign of preservation, also called the Sign of Heaven and Earth, 
and means  whatever came from Heaven must also return. If the hands are clasped, it is a farewell to marriage. 
If the  hands are praying, it is a plea for eternal life. If the hand is upturned and has the index and middle finger
 pointing up, this is called  the Sign of Blessing, or the Christogram, and it brings blessings to those left behind. 

Education is the key.  
Think about attending  workshops. 

Many experienced cemetery preservationists understand that someone with little or no experience in this field of work can do more harm than good. Even a well funded project without the proper planning can do irreversible damage to the historical integrity of the burial ground. 

While the person that is untrained may have the best of intentions and you do not want to discourage them in their efforts, more often than not they can cause additional damage and problems that need to be addressed. Saving Graves highly recommends that you attempt to schedule at least one training workshop for your volunteers prior to starting the project.

Training workshops for volunteers can help keep costs down and as much work in-house as possible. Workshops (or one extended workshop) can train volunteers in skills necessary for such tasks as mapping, documentation, surveying, photographing markers, site maintenance, stone resetting, and stone cleaning.   A training workshop gives individuals the opportunity to gain experience in identifying problems they may encounter and hands on experience in arriving at correct solutions. 

Sometimes the most valuable lesson is a clear understanding of what is best left to experienced professionals. There are many experienced professionals that are willing to meet with your group and provide training or pass along their knowledge and expertise in the cemetery preservation and restoration fields.

A Graveyard Preservation Primer  by Lynette Strangstad  "Written for non-professional and professional preservationists involved in small to mid-size graveyard preservation projects, this basic primer explains in step-by-step fashion how to preserve and restore a graveyard. After reading the suggestions outlined in this book, you will be able to plan a well organized preservation project. In this way the common mistakes and waste of resources that characterize many well-intentioned graveyard preservation efforts can be avoided.  Restoration is discussed with recommendations as to what lay people should and should not undertake."  144 pages with index and illustrations.  Order from Association Gravestone Studies website.

Take a look at carvers tools from the March AGS day 2012

Look for the Indiana Chapter on Facebook

 

Thank you for sharing Ron Bell from Lawrence County IN.
 

     


Thank you to past State Coordinators; Lois Mauk &  Scott Satterthwaite 1997-2005

This page is maintained by  L. A. CLUGH © State Coordinator 2005 - 2023