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Home My WebLink AboutPreliminary Evaluation of Mamaroneck Town Burial Grounds 12/1/2008 Mir ,\ 3456 � RECEIVED 2GG9 cloisriNABATrAuAV CIFRK / 9S7 £ Z e 9 9 rreIjmjnar r- valuation of Mamaroneck Town burial Grounds Mamaroneck, New York Prepared by Lynette 5trangstacl For 5tone races ancl 5acreci Spaces December, 2008 , f'reliminarj, 1 valuation of Mamaroneck Town Cemeteries Mamaroneck, New York . R . , - - :!.,,,:s --- . '1-'16' , le ,,-,,;.-7:—''''' ,"» —.7 < y 'X U b r - _ OM1. 3 # �, 3li ' t f Prepared 63 Lynette 5tra ngsta d For Stone races and Sacred Spaces December, 2008 1 4 Table of Contents Introduction Observations at the Sites 3 Common Issues 3+. Recommendations 39 Community involvement 51 Appendices Notes on Methodolog9 Summary of Recommendations Sample Inventory form • 4 4 „. _ rpium 0.11 Or ..111 01 11111 • 0 OS OS O a 0 O S Processes and recommendations contained herein are in accordance with o w established preservation principles and practice. Nevertheless, the author assumes no responsibility for any workmanship other than her own, nor for the plans, practices, or implementation of same when undertaken by others than herself. ©2008 Lynette Strangstad All rights reserved. No part of this document may be copied,reproduced,or transmitted in any form,in whole or in part,without express written consent of Lynette Strangstad. 5tone races and 5acred 5Faccs,Mineral roint,Wisconsin 1 ' 1 INTRODUCTION Mamaroneck's historic burial grounds hold some of the earliest tangible evidence of the Town's early roots. In any densely-developed area, historic features are quickly lost. The Town is fortunate to have remaining within its purview nine early burial grounds of considerable historic importance. Author Debra Dean, quoted in the fall edition of "Common Ground" magazine, writes of the distant past being preserved, saying "Moments that occurred...years ago reappear, vivid, plump, and perfumed." She speaks of history that is rich and full and very present. This rich experiencing of history is available at Mamaroneck's Town burial grounds as perhaps nowhere else in the Town. These sites and their elements are among the Town's few remaining artifacts for which we know that some of the area's earliest settlers chose sites and laid out boundaries, made and set the markers, and tended the sites of their loved ones in the traditions of"the old country." We know these forebears stood over these very graves and mourned; we imagine they sang songs of an afterlife, of thanksgiving for a life just lost, and tended the graves with love. We touch these stones and we touch the stones and the work of our eighteenth- and nineteenth-century predecessors. Someone alive in 1682 or 1815 selected this fieldstone, cut that red sandstone with mallet and hand chisel, and carted and set it at the grave of someone's loved one. The dry-laid stone walls were set about the time as the earliest marker, stone laid upon stone by hand until a wall was built demarcating a family burial ground. This is their work, for the most part unmoved and unchanged. Here we have the rare opportunity to see the work of Mamaroneck's forebears, in the same context as it was set. This is not so much a museum of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century artifacts, as it is the exact setting and place and use as set down by the ancestors themselves. This does not happen often in history. This is more direct than the "Washington slept here" feeling we get when we visit other historic sites of this magnitude. To have so many such burial grounds within a small geographical location is a rare opportunity indeed. Do citizens of the twenty-first century owe anything to those of the eighteenth and nineteenth?Arguably,yes. Without those early contributions and sacrifices, Mamaroneck truly would not exist. So there is that. 5tone races and Sacred 5paccs,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 0 20 There is also the idea that current Mamaroneck residents represent the extended family of these people, whose obligation is to preserve their resting places. Early residents here held the belief that their resting place should be well-cared-for, well- maintained "for all time" in a way we only occasionally consider today. We haveto become a very busy society, and a very casual one. It is easy to forget our responsibility to our forbears, whether one generation or six before us, whether a blood forbears or cultural ones. But the responsibility is there, and if we are to tarn accept that responsibility and honor those who have lived before us, who paved the way for our current lifestyles, we will honor their burial places as much in the way as they would have as we can understand. a to That responsibility is clear. The challenge facing the Town of Mamaroneck today is how to best preserve and utilize these historic sites: how to maintain them day-to- day and, over time; how to responsibly restore and/or preserve them; how to adapt their use to current needs without compromising their historic and cultural integrity; ■ and finally, how to adequately fund their care. ■ With that philosophy in mind, we undertake examination of the physical features of • the sites that can be addressed to meet this objective. • • In the following pages, the needs of each burial ground under the care of the Town of Mamaroneck are examined individually, as observations. Then, there follows a • brief discussion of issues common to most, or several, of the burial grounds. ■ Recommendations regarding current problems, implementation, and prioritization • of efforts for the several burial grounds are offered. Finally, su estions are offered as a be gg ginning as to how to involve the community in valuing and preserving their • historic burial grounds. • eso Wig sum 2 egas 1 1 ONO 01® Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 3 1 1 1 O55r KVATION5 at the several burial grounds Following are observations made by the investigator for each burial ground. Each burial site is addressed, with its primary needs discussed. Documents mentioned are those provided by the Town. Preferred methodology for some treatments is outlined in the appendices. At each site, several considerations will be briefly discussed. The first of these is the entrance. The entrance is important, because it is the "first impression." It is influential in how the site will be perceived by visitors. �`)!a ','1f�(�y-''IR'4. � 0.a^4 'i. ��d� T � • 1 qe f +ice ,.�•' �. t�A� � ti a,.kit!Giw� J & • Old Town Mamaroneck Burial Ground's attractive gates and wall welcome visitors. 1 1 Safety is frequently discussed. Its importance is obvious, since these are town- ) owned, publicly accessed sites. The presence of poison ivy is the foremost safety 1 1 Stone Paces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 I 4 concern. Absence of handrails to steep sites and lack of a fence at a precarious point are other main safety concerns. Next, in most cases, boundaries are discussed. At these sites, many boundaries are surprisingly uncertain. To define the burial ground, to preserve and protect it, and to understand and respect it, clear boundaries are essential. Enclosures are part of the boundary consideration. Site maintenance is a serious concern at all the sites. The single biggest improvement for the least money is site reclamation and maintenance. Landscaping is another essential component in need of address. In many cases, this requires limited intervention, with evaluation of elements, trimming of trees, identification and protection of existing plantings. No significant changes in landscaping are recommended. Marker and monument conservation is another area of concern. Considerable conservation is needed, since all sites require conservation of tilted, fallen, and broken markers. Limited discussion of individual markers is undertaken in this study, since there are so many other pressing issues. Still, some architectural and historically significant markers and monuments are discussed. Recommendations for these sites fall into three general categories: immediate maintenance,planned site improvements, and community involvement. In most cases, all work is recommended following development of a carefully considered comprehensive plan. However, at these sites several considerations need attention immediately and can be undertaken prior to plan completion. The caveat is that all work needs to be carefully supervised, so that the intended result is accomplished with no inadvertent damage to the burial grounds. Stone Paces and Sacred Spaces, Mineral P Point,Wisconsin I 1 1 5 1 1 RICI-115ELL 5U RIAL GROUND 1 Entrance 1 Entrance to this early burial ground is either from the adjacent park or from a 1 nearby road. In either case, walking is required. The site is level and easily 1 approachable. However, it is indistinct as to an "entrance" point. There is no wall, fence, or gate. A monument to the Town's founder appears not to be central to the 1 site (appropriately), so this is not necessarily a point of entrance, either. 1 1 )ounclaries 1 Boundary definition is a serious issue here on all sides of the burial ground. On one 1 side, a neighbor's hammock rests over ,\_''V gravestones. To the front and opposite side, the `',,. - 1 park begins,but the exact boundary is unclear. -1 _! 1 Cement curbings appear to have been !'��.'%'c\' arbitrarily placed towards the front of the site 1 _ - and are an inadequate and inappropriate 1 • boundary marker. To the rear of the site, 1 markers are seen among heavy overgrowth, and 1 the exact boundary is uncertain. 1. -../•,;,,,,,.---,..1. fi Certainlyk 4,.., „. ..._*-,,,- -1.1-.- ,- at this site above all others the "+3: - - s ` 't 1 establishment of boundaries is essential. The i f f _ 04 �, i burial ground is surely bigger than it appears. a F {� � .. , Ground-penetrating-radar(GPR)or a similar P �' ,.. * � sounding technology should be employed to : ;� I determine where burials actually end. The o ...).--'*:.4.9r-. burial ground boundaries extend at least to the A neighbor's hammock rests over graves last burial determined by an accurate sounding at Richbell Burial Ground. technology. If existing maps plot a larger area as the burial ground,this, too, should be considered to be burial ground even if no graves are found. Thus,the minimal perimeters for this site should be beyond the furthest burial and to the boundary determined by prior mapping and surveys, when that is greater than actual burials. A buffer between the end of burials and the adjoining property is recommended. Stone races and Sacred jFeLca,Zvi"ICI di 1 tin It, y y'aw.im roil i . ' 6 The aerial map of the area suggests that the site continues to the east well beyond where it has been cleared. Observation of the neighbor's yard to the west of the site shows a slight drop-off at one point, which :077 just might indicate the end of the . / .,.T-6 .4 graveyard. The map suggests an open �� r -� _ . , .' 4.' . ; ,. buffer area between the burial ground and ,t ` ; ' � 1 '' the adjacent property. If this is accurate, 1J ,�. the current configuration as seen on the *'.` . -1 r --, • I= ,` 4 ground does not conform to property lines. p ....„,,::1:-: ` `,....,..%• iA r ° �; The area should be re-surveyed and its 1,‘,,;--*,:::''‘' ` perimeters evaluated with GPR. Thete'{* ` , . R boundaries are the larger area of either the . . _ .1-...„-.4*.;,,-,,,,: -.-- =-=4 nw survey or the last burials. Even a new - ; h __._ survey, which will reflect the most recently The mapshows a buffer between burial ground created legal boundary, may not reflect the and neighboring properties.At the site,the true end of the burial ground. If there are neighbors'property infringes on the burial burials beyond what current boundaries ground. suggest, these burials, too, should be included in the burial ground (even if there are no markers), and property lines redrawn to reflect this. State law requires that municipalities maintain and erect a fence for the burial grounds under their care. Such a fence would be implemented only after determination of actual boundaries, of course. Appropriate fence styles would be those found in other eighteenth-century sites, particularly in the area. Wood paling fences were common in New York and New England in the colonial era. A reference for historic fence'styles is found under "Recommendations." Other historic fence sources are available to researchers. However, in this immediate area, local fieldstone walls appear to be more common. Construction of such a dry-laid wall by a master dry-laid wall builder would be the preferred choice. While it may be more costly initially, it will need minimal maintenance for many years to come. Whatever enclosure is constructed, it should be documented as to location, style, material, and year, so that future researchers are not confused by the early style. Boundary definition is a top priority issue, which should be dealt with as soon as possible. 5acety Poison ivy was observed throughout the site and should be removed for the safety of visitors and maintenance staff alike. See notes below for methods of elimination. i 1 4 5tone races andjacred 5paces,P ,Mincral Point,Wisconsin 4 I 7 Site Maintenance This burial ground has not been cleared to the back of the site. Markers are evident among the undergrowth, and English ivy growing well back of the maintained site suggests the burial ground may extend to the end of the ivy. The dead limbs and underbrush need to be removed, clearing the burial ground to its true back border. Identification of historic plantings is necessary before clearing to ensure their 1611. I continued health and longevity. ill-#3,- 1 -d ,.;; English (and other) ivy is a commonly found historic P67, t• • burial ground groundcover, so its presence at a burial •,,1.,;& " site suggests the site extends at least to the end of the ))) i ivy. The ivy is to be retained. Ivy is also found near the - „ i ` front of the site where it is mowed. It should be mowed t~ i `--� "` f; around and allowed to flourish at both the front and back k �` r- ..:: .''.---1 'y.:, of the site. Marker obscured by plants Neighbors report that the site is only occasionally mowed. They disclose that when the grass is knee-high, they take it upon themselves to mow the site which abuts 1 their yard. All sites should be mowed at least every three weeks in the summer. i Neighbors should be discouraged from attempting to maintain the site, first,because it is public property and the responsibility of the Town, and second, because 1 neighbors might inadvertently inflict damage to themselves, markers or other features. Near the center of this historic site, a series of birdhouses have been placed on an 1 existing stump. Appropriate for someone's backyard, these modem additions have 1 no place in an eighteenth-century historical site. They should be removed. 1 1 Conservation Marker maintenance is another serious issue. It might be considered second priority, 1 which means only that it might be considered immediately following completion of 1 Priority One issues, which include site clearing and boundary identification. Most i markers are early fieldstones. Only two formally cut markers were found at the site. Both are sandstone. Records show a photograph of a third, which was out of the ground and now appears to be missing. One of these markers is leaning and needs 1 to be reset before it breaks either from its own weight or from the inadvertent 0 interference of visitors or grounds crews. The other cut stone is broken. It needs to be professionally treated and reset soon. Part of good conservation is good documentation. Resetting should follow careful research to ascertain the original location of each marker. Arbitrarily setting markers without adequate documentation creates a false history, which is to be ! avoided. 0 0 Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin T -'''R • • 8 Additional leaning markers need resetting if they are not to break off under their own weight. Kickbell Monument This site has a modern monument to the founder of Mamaroneck, John Richbell. The approach to the monument is impeded by seriously overgrown arbor vitae trees. These should be retained, if possible, but trimmed back. It is important for their health that no more than one-third of each plant is removed at a single pruning. When the trees have recovered, additional trimming may 4 take place. .7 r. , - Behind the monument are two cedar trees. These are typical graveyard plantings, apparently a part of the monument - display, and should be retained. Vai Vegetation at Richbell monument is seriously overgrown Planning Finally, before work begins, a historic preservation plan for the site will ensure that no work is done out of place or out of sequence. Critical to the planning is creation of a marker-by-marker and feature-by-feature map of the site. A good plan will ensure that the work done is historically accurate and appropriate for this earliest Mamaroneck burial ground. 5tonc Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 9 QUAKER-BARKER BURIAL GROUNDS Entrance The adjoining Quaker and Barker Burial Grounds share a common, well- constructed stone wall at the front face. This attractive granite wall is breached by two sets of granite steps, one entering Quaker Burial ground, the other entering Barker Burial Ground. The Barker Burial Ground entrance is similar to the Quaker entrance, except that Barker has marble pillars with marble caps. The Quaker Burial Ground does not. A few stones at each entrance need replacing. In each case, there is evidence of a gate, apparently cast iron. Both are now missing. • No doubt in keeping with Quaker tradition,the Quaker Burial Ground is simple, with many fieldstones and some simple,uniform marble markers. Local granite, slate, concrete, and marble are all found in this yard. The fieldstones typically have no lettering. It also contains a few thin tablets, a typical marker style for the period. Some local granite stones are used as headstones,but have only initials (more commonly seen on footstones). •t aT. c4 eY.y gg w3 `� �... i Y $e k i Simple markers characterize the Quaker Burial Ground. boundaries There is an area behind these cemeteries (northeast of Barker) that now appears to be part of the adjoining property. However,the aerial map suggests a triangular area for the burial grounds, much like an earlier hand-drawn map of Quaker-Barker- Palmer Burial Ground. This correlation suggests that the area beyond the current Barker Burial Ground may be what remains of Palmer Burial Ground. Records state that as early as 1955, there were no markers at Palmer. Using ground-penetrating- radar, it may be possible to determine the possible location of additional graves. If graves are found in the area in use by the adjoining property, they should be respectfully removed. Their placement within Barker Burial Ground is a possibility. But before that could take place, Barker, too, must be examined for open burial space into which these remains could be placed. 5tone Faces and Sacrcd Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin ...-. -N 3 1'""+-+a 447',,,,""1,,t."--- ", '-,474.-i,.... 71.,..' ' .. ..-. !,,ice�;u.. , 10 r K. t� tax ;. :2 _ 4t - z �k , y:-;�. r. .:''�t .� -�ate{ .1 �k_ 'fir _ 3c �_-4. I . a- .._ ,U ...,- -...e_- -n..-. -..__fir r� Is this all that remains of Palmer Burial Ground? The boundary to the west of Quaker is also a bit uncertain. A chainlink fence and piled stones lie close upon markers which face east. This may represent an actual boundary, or it may be that the graves actually lie to the west of the markers, suggesting the boundary may have been encroached upon over the years. A modern paling fence may encroach somewhat into the site. The rock wall at this location needs rebuilding. Determine the boundary through survey and GPR. GPR or similar sounding methods should also be used at an area near the front of the site that currently has no markers but may contain graves. Safety As at other sites, poison ivy is evident. Removing poison ivy is a first priority consideration. It should also be part of regular site maintenance. Site Maintenance A large tree limb is down in the Quaker Burial Ground and needs to be removed. Two dead trees need removal, while others need trimming. A tree near the front of the site, in particular, needs trimming and monitoring. To maintain the tree canopy, the lost trees can be replaced in kind. In addition, two large old stumps need careful removal without disturbing markers or graves. The hedge around the perimeter badly needs trimming. Growing with desirable plantings are a number of unwanted "volunteers." When trimming, it is important that landscape crews know the difference between wanted and unwanted plantings and retain desirable plants while eliminating unwanted ones. The hedge serves as a screen from adjacent properties and should continue to serve that function, but it should be maintained. Plant growth noted on the family tomb accelerates deterioration and should be regularly and carefully removed. When it is so entrenched among bricks that it would cause further brick loss by its removal, it can be carefully treated chemically 5tonc races and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 11 to kill the plant. When the plant has died, it can be cut at the tomb surface to remove it. Also at the back of the site, a stack of branches, limbs, and plant debris has been deposited, either by grounds crews, neighbors, or perhaps someone else. This should be removed and the area kept clear of all such debris. When grounds crews remove limbs and branches, they should be taken to the street for pickup by town crews. In addition, broken bottles and other debris were found in the site. These should be top priority considerations, because they make a considerable impact on the site (and sites that appear poorly maintained invite vandalism), and because this should be part of regular maintenance. Landscaping The sites themselves are grass-covered and contain mature trees. The Quaker site retains some perennials from an earlier era. At the west side there is ivy and there are also some daylilies. There is evidence of some small spring- blooming flowers at the site, too. These should be monitored in three seasons, especially in spring,before mowing takes place. They can be easily identified when blooming, should then be mapped, and protected. Some may even serve as grave surrounds,the only marking for a grave. Vinca, or periwinkle, was noted on the west side of Barker burial ground; ivy was seen on the family tomb. Periwinkle should not be mowed; instead, it should be encouraged to grow. Ivy can damage brickwork and should be taken off the family tomb. It should be moved to other areas of the site, where it can serve as a groundcover without damaging markers. When clearing overgrowth at the perimeter of both these sites, take care not to also remove desirable plantings there. Conservation An assemblage of loose rock, a deteriorating dry-laid rock wall, is found between Barker and Quaker burial grounds. It is a beautiful and important historic feature in need of reconstruction. Clear out underbrush along this common wall and rebuild the rock wall at any point where it is failing. This wall is a significant feature of both these sites. The north perimeter wall also needs to be rebuilt. At least five "Quaker" style markers need resetting. A marble tablet is leaning and needs resetting; several marble tablets are broken and need conservation treatment and resetting. Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 12 A group of downed tablets and a few groups of broken stone fragments are all in need of investigation. When parent and orphaned stone fragments can be identified, they should be rejoined. The 1825 marker for Samuel Deall, the founder of Larchmont, has been reset, but it is not perpendicular. The soil is not close around r & � �' _ the stone. Perhaps the interference of tree roots 5 - "` interfered with the resetting process. In any case, water can readily get in near the stone '" and may cause problems in repeated 'v freeze/thaw cycles. z. 7 •-* jsV.. "• 7.47;: 1-141 Proper resetting is recommended for the Samuel Deall marker. _: , Y a The top priority item for conservation treatment at Barker is the above-ground brick family tomb. This may be the single highest-priority item for all of the burial grounds. This tomb likely dates to the early-to-mid-nineteenth century and was originally constructed with considerable detail. The tomb is currently in serious disrepair and will soon be lost if treatment isn't undertaken soon. This is an • ,p ; ` . - important feature of the site, due �' '' '` "� 6 both to its architectural and its II :y historical significance. The story of a tunnel as part of the Underground Railroad emerging within this tomb 5 adds to its significance and community interest. R • As part of the conservation effort of this fine tomb, a professional archaeologist can go inside to determine if there is evidence of a Professional conservation of this family tunnel. This should be done only by tomb should be a top priority. an archaeologist and before anyone else attempts to enter the tomb. Important information could be lost by allowing this to be done by town staff or volunteers. 5tone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 13 Note details such as the brownstone ridge cap on the roof and the brownstone capstones at the front. Remnants of a slate roof remain. A badly deteriorated metal door may not be original. Research this structure in particular,but also note closures for similar tombs in the area of the same time period. In undertaking the conservation, be sure to photograph the structure from all angles, look for historic photos, which might show the structure in better repair, take measured drawings to work from in undertaking conservation, do additional documentation as work progresses, and use historic brick for replacement. Note joint details, and replace the roof in the original gray slate. Near the back of the tomb lies an obelisk, knocked off its base. It is another high- priority item for resetting, but that work is best left until completion of the tomb work, so that it least interferes with that work. Shield the obelisk from any work being done on the tomb. Several marble monuments, about four inches thick, need resetting. Likewise, two- inch tablets and one granite marker also need resetting. About a half-dozen markers at this site are in need of resetting; others are broken and need treatment; others are leaning, while still more are lying on the ground. To the east of the tomb lie several massive slate slabs. The pieces are large and rough, atypical for a box tomb. These require further investigation. While they are heavier and less refined than most box tomb elements, they show tool marks and some evidence of mortar, possibly at a corner where elements were joined to each other. They may prove to be parts of a massive box tomb, or they may be parts of another structure. Volunteer Efforts While this investigator was conducting a site visit at the Quaker-Barker Burial Grounds, flags were placed throughout, an apparent precedent to mapping. Later information revealed that a volunteer, together with a conservation practitioner hired by the Larchmont Historical Society, planned a workshop for the following weekend. Later communication with the volunteer disclosed that the volunteer team intends to complete a restoration of these sites. While this is a laudable goal, and while volunteers are the core of many preservation efforts, it cannot be emphasized too strongly that the Town must remain in charge of all preservation efforts at sites under their jurisdiction. While they may take credit for work that goes well,they are also responsible for any mis-steps taken by well-meaning volunteers. According to the volunteer project director, this project was supported by the Town of Mamaroneck. The Town reportedly approved the project and provided sand for resetting stones. 5tonc races and Sacred 5paccs,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 14 While volunteers might in charge of a particular aspect of site preservation, it is the Town that is the responsible party and must be in control. The Town determines the goal and sets the parameters for any project. Any preservation project should follow a predetermined comprehensive preservation plan, which takes into account all aspects of the site and the work that needs to be done. Mapping and photography are good first steps, but conservation is the last step in completion of a burial ground preservation project. It is strongly advised that the Town develop a policy delineating the role of volunteers in the burial ground. This policy will control volunteer activities in the burial grounds and place all volunteer activity directly under Town supervision. The Town is the owner of these sites, and the Town is responsible for their care. It is essential that they remain directly in charge of any burial ground preservation project, which should follow a complete preservation plan for that site. 5tone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 15 TOWN OF MAMARONECK BURIAL GROUND Entrance The entrance to this Town burial ground is attractive. The cast-iron entrance gates need minor work and painting (after good preparation), but they are in good condition overall. The stairway,too, is attractive and in good condition. Most of the markers are of marble, although there is also some 20th century granite, some local granite, and some fieldstone. Safety At the rear north side, there is a wall with a sharp drop-off. A fence placed here is 1 advised as a safety feature. A suggested style is to construct a fence similar to the new fence along the back property line. This is a simple cast-iron fence and would 1 provide a cohesive presentation. 1 The side of the burial ground on the north, next to 420 Pleasant St., has a wood brace supporting that building. The exact situation should be examined and understood. This is a safety concern and should be addressed. Aside from safety, this intrusion must be understood as unacceptable at this site and a very temporary measure. Poison ivy is present at this site, as at others, and should be removed. boundaries The site is bounded on three sides by buildings. There may be some question as to whether the new building to the south might infringe on the historic burial ground. Survey and GPR at this boundary is advised. However, since the building is already in place,there is little to be done in the way of compensating for any irregularities. To the rear, a new building creates the back border. These buildings, of course, alter the sightline of the burial ground, a concession to modem development. Site Maintenance The back of this burial ground is marred by a large brush pile. There are graves and markers under this debris. It is essential that wood and vegetative debris from each site is removed regularly as part of regular site maintenance! At the back, clear all the way to the new fence by the building. 1 Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 16 "% 57.• illi +r„#lfl'J,$El�.Vr4-. -. a t .. 'Nl�ll��w�o�'� Y • 'eT` t � .... -.t✓^.+ }-n p .i 4. •ta L fir` A large pile of vegetative debris mars this site,obscures markers,and smothers the vinca,which could be a lovely border plant. In addition, there is an abundance of weeds growing up at the back of the site. These, too, should be cleared to the fence of the adjacent property. Poison ivy is dangerous to visitors and staff alike. It should be removed in spring, as soon as it has leafed out. Retain the thick growth of vinca at the back of the site. Encourage its growth by keeping it free of debris. This could serve as an excellent groundcover, if the weeds and debris are removed. Vinca is also found at several other places throughout the site. Encourage it in all areas where it is found. Maintaining vinca is a win for all—it is historically appropriate, attractive, and easy to maintain. Clear debris and growing brush to all edges of the site. At the back, clear all the way to the new fence by the building. [a ncl5ca ping The site has a good tree cover. Some of these trees need attention and should be monitored. The mature cedar is a common burial ground planting. There is vinca at several locations. This is a typical burial ground planting and should be monitored and encouraged to grow in all locations. At the back of the site, the vinca would grow profusely if unhindered by the deposition of limbs and plant debris that is there now. If this planting is encouraged here, it will form an attractive and effective, nearly maintenance-free border at the back of the site. At this location, planting of two or three trees would help to screen the building behind. There also appears to be a young fruit tree here, which no doubt has "volunteered." This, too, would be acceptable to retain. A new addition, this nevertheless would be an appropriate use of new vegetation. Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral roint,Wisconsin 17 There are several yucca plants, some ;1 , . ' i •.; F; mixed in with volunteer vegetation such :::--1, �`�1,: `Y , ;< as huckleberries, oaks, and blackberries. . � ; ;;: ,�7ra��, In one area, these have simply grown up `- r ry over time and present themselves as a h ' mass bush. Using a landscape historian � � r .. familiar with burial ground plantings, - : ,�-,....z:,-. .4Z- ,-..,',-.0 . determine which of these plants to retain. - ter' r? ' - r Remove the others, creating an attractive _ and appropriate landscaping accent. The yuccas are burial ground plantings and This mass of vegetation can be transformed should be saved; a young oak at this location into an attractive feature of this site. will develop into an attractive tree and should be retained. Yuccas are found throughout the site; all should be retained. Hostas, irises, and lilies are present, too. For the most part, these suggest later plantings (twentieth century) and later care. They are now a part of the historical evolution of the site and should be retained. Their growth should be encouraged. Do not mow or weed whip. Grave depressions are found at this site. In some cases, they represent the only identification for a grave. All should be preserved, unless there is a sinkhole that could constitute a safety concern. 1 Conservation 1 This site is well-populated with erect, cut stones. Most are marble, although there i are fieldstones here, too. Some graves of Civil War veterans have American flags. 1 Dense groupings of nineteenth-century stones at the 1 center of the burial ground suggest that the entire site r re. ; t - mayhave been so denselypopulated. As an earlyr' x '` `_ ,, 1PP - ' 11,,x ," ,s town burial place, it is entirely likely that the entire . site is filled with burials. Early markers may have 1- . �, been of wood or other vulnerable materials, or they R ,.7 ;` scads-: : I may have been more vulnerable to outside influences , than those at the center and were lost. Restoring this w. c5, ' central section of densely populated stones will make t Z,k, -ate' : � -- tea ., �' a strong visual impact, creating a sense of well-being --'-,-7- 1, '` x _ 4 I throughout the site. This would make a good ,A . demonstration area for conservation. Some markers .-.. -� I are leaning, and some four-inch-thick markers on bases The need for conservation is evident I are leaning in their bases. I I The earliest marker, for William Barker, may date to 1755. It is a slate marker, whole, and out of the ground, lying flat. As it lies, it is vulnerable to theft or 1 damage. Resetting it (after determining its rightful location) is a relatively simple 1 1 Stone Faces and Sacrcd Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 1 iii I j18 1 matter and should a Priority One consideration, due to its historical significance and j its material. i1 s fix y0AFctry '" •«_` ,.fir ■ L ? l' .� . V 7 4' ,- izr ,a an. 'k' 't: } . a . w r ' i €, ----,"4." . �__� � imp;rte`• 1I .S Kew: . "3.f` `-..,,,r•tl0„,i,a -,,,-`Jr... ••i The considerable stonework conservation needed here f,, should be addressed as part of a comprehensive 11 preservation plan. 6, Col. Gilbert Budd, a Revolutionary War colonel, is buried here. His box tomb cover is in four pieces. The entire granite box needs rebuilding. This, too, is a high priority due to its historic significance and because box tombs are uncommon at the town's burial grounds. It might be noted that these might be considered "false +; tombs," in that the burial takes place below ground. Thus, vandals learn nothing by attempting to remove the ledger cover. historic and Artistic Significance xi i-1 While historic markers are often readily apparent here, not to be overlooked are a number of folk expressions. These handmade markers represent local craftsmanship dand are loving expressions by family and friends. [ I < r E, � ( '�' � ' ds ----fir t .Is' '. .-•f lam, ,-:� y r i T `' ,, f(?�T i r YP ., � 4` 3' y�.. w ..,-- Folk :yFolk expressions are an important part of this burial ground. 1 5tone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 19 DELANCE.Y BURIAL GROUND Entrance Delancey Burial Ground is easily approached from the street. This is a welcoming site, pleasant and peaceful for visitors and a home to many birds and squirrels. It is on a slight incline, set back slightly from the road. The burial ground rests on the high point of the site,tapering to the rear, as well as from the front. Unlike most of the other burial grounds, it is not enclosed by a wall or fence. However, there are many loose fieldstones around the site, near its perimeter. A careful walk-through of the site reveals the likelihood of a perimeter fieldstone wall that is now completely down. It appears the wall may have enclosed the entire site. The tapering away from the center to the front and back also supports the likelihood of a one-time wall. boundaries The rubble rock around the site follows the perimeter of the burial ground. This appears to be the remnants of a rock wall surrounding the site. Historically, there likely was a dry-laid wall here. While this would make the enclosed burial ground smaller than it now appears, the burials are likely within this original wall. The rest of the parcel is a small buffer between properties. Except for this barely-discernible wall remnant, Delancey's borders are indistinct. There are neighbors to the southwest and northeast. On one side, there are lilies of the valley, a small hedge, and a bed of lilies. These appear to be the neighbors' plantings. The neighbor's border to the west is less distinct, but using the rock rubble as a border, it appears the burial ground border is respected. To the rear, a wire fence provides a border. Testing the borders with GPR would help to determine the actual boundaries of this burial ground. Once peripheral graves have been determined, the wall, presumably near the rubble stone which bounds the perimeter, could be reconstructed. Historically, the "front" entrance to the original burial ground may have been at what is currently the back of the site, since the Delancey house faced the burial ground from the south. Markers face south rather than the more common east/west, suggesting the family may have been able to view the markers from their home. Safety In common with other sites, this site has poison ivy and oak. As at other sites, their removal should be a top priority. Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 • 20 Site Maintenance The wire fence at the back of Delancey Burial Ground is marred by limb debris. The site is cleared to the fence, except for this limb debris. As at other sites, removal of limb debris should take place as it occurs.None should be left at the rear of any site. There is at least one stump at the site. It should be carefully removed with a small stump grinder. 1! Landscaping • The site has several large trees, possibly maple and tulip. There are cedars at the back of the lot. While cedars are common burial ground plantings, these appear to be outside the burial ground's confines, as it stands today. Various planted elements were observed, including trumpet vine, ivy near the front of the site, and spring bulbs throughout the site. These should be monitored at three seasons to determine what actually is present. Then these plantings should be mapped and a simple maintenance plan developed for their care. The wire fence at the back of the site has some volunteer growth. Weeds should be removed, but some vegetation should be left to serve as a screen from the adjacent property. Conservation The largely non-extant fieldstone wall is the most important feature at this site. Rebuilding it using many of the stones that remain there now would restore the site to its earlier historical appearance and also lend significant beauty and presence to • the site. In spite of the cost, rebuilding this wall is a project that should be considered. A fund-raising effort aided by townspeople could, in time, raise funds to reconstruct this wall and enhance this site. In rebuilding the perimeter wall, check existing foundation stones to see if there is a break near the center to the south. If there is such a break, it likely represents the original entrance to the site when this was an active family burial ground. Thus, in reconstruction, retain this opening with no gate. However, since the use and entrance to the site has changed over time, also provide an entrance opening at the north, on the street side, where people are likely to enter today. The site has a number of broken marble markers lying on the ground in no apparent pattern. Before they are repaired and reset, their location will need to be determined. There is disturbed ground from tree roots, which may have contributed to the stone damage. 5tone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 21 There are fieldstone markers, but there is apparent wall fieldstone, too. Great care must be taken not to confuse markers with wall stone in a wall reconstruction project. The most urgent conservation priority at this ... - site is the resetting of the John Peter Delancey - �' ALT marker. Delancey is a historically significant s _. , - figure, which gives the marker a high priority , in itself. However, in this case, the condition of the marker gives it an urgent one. This very tall, two-inch marble tablet is leaning and vulnerable to breakage. It should be reset a bit . �„� lower. One can note the finer-grained stone ` near the ground, at the front of the marker. This part of the stone has not been exposed to the elements as long as the rest. Most likely, frost heaves have forced this stone upward. This is a vulnerable marker and should be ,� • reset by a professional only. Leaning against it is the Josephine Floyd marker. Presumably, The Floyd marker appears to be someone placed it there to offset the lean of supporting the taller Delancey marker. the taller Delancey marker. The location of the Both should be reset. Floyd marker can determined from her footstone. Also at the site is a badly damaged brick box tomb with a broken marble ledger. This should be further examined. It is possible the brick here is not original, and the tomb may have once been rebuilt. Nevertheless, the ledger should be repaired and the tomb rebuilt. Box tombs are uncommon at these sites, and the ledger is subject to further damage while the tomb remains in disrepair. There is a tree growing around a stone. This is a ! difficult situation. In most cases, the stone can be dug from around the tree trunk and small roots removed. V � ra at; . In some cases,all that can be done is to photograph and document the current situation. + H Sone paces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral point,Wisconsin 22 PALMER BURIAL GROUND ntrance I Next to Saints John and Paul School, Palmer Burial Ground is easy to miss. It has no sign. The approach is a steep set of concrete block stairs with no hand railing. The top step is loose. This constitutes a safety issue, which can be addressed by resetting the step and installing a historically appropriate railing. Safety issues are always top priority concerns. PIMP • 4as1 SAI'.<' fi The entrance to Palmer Burial Ground would benefit from an appropriate hand railing. is There is a wall that is no longer visible behind heavy shrubbery, due to the overgrowth. Some of this growth consists of large junipers, which should be trimmed severely. Smaller ones should also be trimmed. Scrub growth should be removed. Once the wall can be clearly seen, it can be evaluated for possible treatment. Of interest, the oldest stones at this site follow true north and south. Later stones are parallel to house property lines and perpendicular to the road. The oldest markers, mostly fieldstones, are at the east side of the site. boundaries A historic stone wall forms the front boundary of the site, but it is little noticed due to overgrown shrubs. After the shrubs have been cut back, examine the stone wall for places of wall failure and undertake an appropriate treatment plan to reconstruct areas as needed. �I! Palmer Burial Ground has a modern wood paling-style fence on 3 sides in fair to good condition. While this modern fencing is not historically appropriate and is not to be confused with historic wood paling fencing, it does demarcate the site. Replacement of this fencing with a more appropriate fence style or wall (determined by research) is a Priority Two consideration. A section of the fence at the northeast corner of the burial ground is down and should be replaced. Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 23 A neighbor to the northeast has a yard light activated by a motion sensor. He reports that it is effective in keeping the young people who frequent the site at night out of that corner of the burial ground. But they then go to the opposite side instead. Perhaps an arrangement could be made with Sts. John and Paul school to put a motion sensor on their building on the west side to deter nighttime visitation. This neighbor helps to care for and to look out for this burial ground. Concerned citizens such as he are allies of the burial grounds and should be valued. Safety Poison oak was noted climbing a tree at the rear of the burial ground. It isn't sufficient simply to cut this down from the tree. The plants need to be killed chemically. Lack of a railing at the entrance stairs, as noted above, is another safety issue. 1 Site Maintenance Shrubs in front of the site are seriously overgrown. An early priority for this site is the trimming of these shrubs. Establish their regular maintenance as a part of regular site maintenance. Mature trees at the site provide an attractive canopy. Monitor and prune regularly as necessary to ensure their health and longevity. A tree stump should be removed. ► Two dead trees are trimmed up high, but their tall trunks remain and should also be removed. ► Leaf and limb trash needs to be picked up. It appears to have been here for some ► time. Debris and bottles seen at the back of the site should also be removed. ► The neighbor reports that a large mower is used to mow this site. These sites are small and only small walk-behind mowers should be used. Landscaping The site is grass-covered with mature trees, including mimosa trees, common in these burial grounds. There is also evidence of spring-blooming bulbs. These appear to have been, in at least one case, a grave outline, demarcating a grave. Others seem to have naturalized, but they may represent other grave surrounds. These plantings should be left unmowed until they have bloomed. Perennial vegetation also includes some lilies, found growing at the site. Monitor ► the site for perennials and map,photograph, and document the vegetation. ► 5tone races and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 t_ 24 MO Conservation The Palmer plot in the burial ground has the granite Palmer monument as a central feature. The plot has marble posts supporting an iron bar fence with zinc-coated (possibly painted w/galvanized paint) medallions. The plot is in complete disarray. Some marble posts are broken, but they can be either repaired or, if necessary, replicated and replaced. If a demonstration plot is to be conserved, this would be a ; good choice at this site. The considerable conservation work to be done here consists of markers in need of resetting, orphaned fragments, and broken stones. The large granite Irvine rs are in danger of falling. They need to be leveled and reset. This works a priority two consideration. P ty ; The site has two large depressions with several markers in each one. The significance of this is unclear and should be investigated by professional burial ground preservation conservators. As with other walls at the Town's burial grounds, parts of this examined and reset as part of a comprehensive plan. wall should be i 5tone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin i 1 25 ► i , ► FLORENCE/POWELL BURIAL GROUND ► Entrance I The Florence/Powell Burial Ground is a small site approached from a school I parking lot. It is partially hidden and would not be noticed by most passersby or I would-be visitors. 1 There are about a dozen markers apparent. Likely there are more burials. Beyond 1 the cleared area there are also additional markers and burials. 1 1 ,,., L ar ay • 4p 't -:,;. �"' 1 1 ;::. Ail ` Both markers and plantings require care A fine brownstone marker for 1 at Florence/Powell Burial Ground. Peter Florence is prominent at the site. 1 1 boundaries 1 The burial ground has a low stone wall at the back, which probably runs the entire 1 length of the site. However, this is not readily apparent, as part of the site is heavily covered with weeds and shrubby growth. Clearing out the overgrowth will help to define the boundaries, a first consideration. 1 1 There are walls, too, at the south and west, but these are also too obscured by brush to evaluate. 1 To the east, the boundary is unclear because a portion of the burial ground has been 1 allowed to become totally overgrown. According to the aerial map provided by the 1 Town, this burial ground extends up to a dilapidated shed, which can be seen from the central part of the burial ground. Markers can be seen in this wooded area, along with considerable debris. Safety Removal of poison oak and poison ivy is an essential top priority maintenance issue. 0 0 5tone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 0 0 26 Site Maintenance Near the entrance there is the remnant of a cast-iron fence. This should be properly prepped and painted. The burial ground extends to the shed at the east. However, it is difficult to even see the shed due to the heavy woody growth. The site is not maintained to the end of ij the burial ground. Two markers can be seen here; there are likely more. Great care is necessary in clearing this area, both to protect intentional plantings, some trees, and also to protect gravemarkers obscured by weedy growth. When clearing, note that there may be fragments of markers in the woods that are parts of otherwise extant stones. This is yet another reason that the clearing needs to be done with great care. In addition, there are oil cans, plastic pails, wood debris, and more. Clearing this area properly and removing the debris is a major consideration at this site. This is a top priority that is very "do-able." With proper oversight and relatively little expense,this site can be effectively reclaimed. There is wild vegetation that needs to be cleared on all sides of the burial ground. Three dead trees require removal. To the west, there are shingles and trash, which appear to have been deposited by the neighboring property. Clear all refuse areas; clear vegetation around the perimeter to reveal the wall on all sides. Only then can the wall be evaluated for repair. Walls that are free of vegetation remain drier, and dry walls are more long-lived. Once cleared, much of the area, particularly areas with few markers, can be planted in vinca (at least some of it reclaimed from other areas of the site). Once vinca is established as a groundcover, minimal maintenance is required. Landscaping The main landscaping problem at the site is the loss of a significant portion of the burial ground to weedy overgrowth. The property needs to be cleared to the property line on all sides. In doing so, it is essential that desirable plantings be retained. This site, perhaps more than any other, has planted vegetation that is all but lost. There are hostas surrounding the maintained part of the site, hostas and vinca at the entrance. Part of the history of the site, these plants can be reclaimed to provide an attractive border and a pleasant entrance. Solomon's seal can be found along the back side of the site. Violets, wisteria, and honeysuckle, too, were noted. Many of these plantings probably date to the early twentieth-century to a time when considerable care was given to the site. All of this vegetation needs to be identified so that it is not inadvertently removed when clearing takes place. These are important landscaping elements here. 5tone Faces and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 27 ray - A• ,44.�4.Y4 1E- , moi A i* , .,--,*• l'`., .,,,' -•-,-'' 'ik. •-,,...4_71-, J rt ,‘iy�9'/�1 � '�..' -ter -�� a Solomon's Seal can be seen among overgrown vegetation. Likewise, vinca at the back can be used as a border. Vinca might also be restored in the now-wooded area, providing easy maintenance, since it grows well in shade and doesn't need mowing. Together with other weed growth, there are large weedy vines that need to be removed, along with a dead tree. Conservation There are few markers left at this site. Some of those remaining are eligible for conservation treatment. William J. Florence, a medium marble marker on a base, could be reset. The site has two nice brownstones with footstones in good condition. There are also two broken marble tablets near the entrance for Florence and Powell. 1 These should be further examined for possible conservation treatment. i I The Sarah Lawrence marker is a large brownstone with delamination at the top front and bottom rear. The Peter Lawrence brownstone has even nicer carving and 1 less damage. Both of these could be professionally treated to extend their longevity. 1 1 Likewise, the William J. Powell four-inch tablet-on-base style marker can be reset ' professionally. Some footstones are apparent with no corresponding headstone. Utilizing a probing 1 technique to look for headstones may reveal whole or fragmented headstones that 1 match the footstones. While looking for headstones in this way is an important part of a conservation project, it should be undertaken only as part of a comprehensive plan in which it is known that whatever is found will be properly conserved. This is 0 not a volunteer activity. 0 0 0 0 0 ® Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin II 11: 28 ELE.AZOR GEDNEY 15URIAL GROUND Entrance The Eleazor Gedney Burial Ground is an interesting site. Located next to an on- ramp for the interstate highway, it is likely largely overlooked by visitors. Much of the site has a mossy groundcover. The site is heavily shaded, and the moss grows well here. This is an acceptable groundcover and reduces, or, in some places, eliminates the need for mowing. A historic marker identifying the burial ground has been placed within the entrance itself. It should be moved from inside the entrance to just beside it. ° c _ glair-01f MHO Al y 1722-1919 :.. ,i _mo `� : ' -.- Signs YSigns should be visible, but unobtrusive, in no way affecting existing elements at the site. Gedney is somewhat unusual in that it is a fairly small burial ground with two entrances. One of them is the main entrance, divided into a carriage entrance and a pedestrian entrance. The pedestrian entrance once had a gate. The other entrance is a pedestrian entrance to the north of the main entrance. It has stone columns with metal finials. There is vinca near this entrance. This burial ground has some exceptionally well-cut brownstones with unusual motifs, some of them in excellent condition. Stylistically, this may be the most important burial ground of those surveyed. Marble markers and granite monuments, too, are found at this site. Upon entering the site from the single pedestrian entrance, the visitor is struck by the turned wood posts designed to hold iron bars for plot enclosures. They are badly deteriorated,but that they still exist at all is striking. Stone Paces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 29 boundaries The front of the burial ground is bounded by a wall. It is obscured by scrub vegetation,which should be removed. 1 Tr-v _ .. p- „,, ir- Part of the wall is down,due either to vandals,or perhaps to a motor vehicle accident years ago. The back wall is next to a stream. Between the maintained burial ground and the wall by the stream is a debris field. The burial ground extends all the way to the wall at the bottom of the hill. A large tree has fallen onto the wall. The southwest corner has wall damage and evidence of people sleeping there. Increased police surveillance should be strongly considered. 1 Site Maintenance i The most serious grounds-keeping concern is the clearing of the site to the wall by the stream. This is a large area, overgrown and debris-covered. The debris needs to be cleared, leaving live trees in place to maintain the tree canopy. Once the site has been examined for markers and obvious graves, planting vinca will provide a low- 1 maintenance and appropriate groundcover for this part of the burial ground. 1 Landscaping 1 Mature trees are the primary landscaping component here. Lily-of-the-valley was I also noted, along with vinca and moss. I I In the area now covered in debris, a planting of vinca would nicely carpet the ground. If moss is inclined to take over, this, too, is an acceptable groundcover. Of I course, any markers found should be reset before landscaping efforts take place. 1 1 1 1 0 Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 0 0 -w _. - -...._-:•--'v '-�'� - - ._. -�....'..,� 1...!.ti,a�'-:. .Si.:.-..H'v ..y�' �� '�.Ya .__..ate..— _ _-. -... `7- ilill 30 to till Conservation ■ its. ,'r Many turned wood posts are evident upon entering the burial F k' '';f ground. These once held iron bars for plot enclosures. A few 4-' -� , _, ,;.- 10 do. This is an unusual feature and artistically and 10 ' historically significant. Particularly unusual is the fact that ■ w #, ,, wooden elements tend to be eighteenth- or nineteenth-century, • : ,r l, while enclosures with iron bars are generally mid-nineteenth to r • early-twentieth-century constructions. Since many of these posts W ii-4‘1_ are largely intact, they may date to the early twentieth century. 4511 ;i'''.1 10 - If restored, these plot enclosures supported by turned wood These posts are posts would be a striking and historically appropriate feature. a among the most These enclosures (together with some sandstone markers) may 60 significant itetures of be the most significant feature at this site. ■ While the posts are seriously deteriorated, making exact copies from a number of posts would allow replication with a large degree of accuracy. The originals could - ■ be removed indoors to ensure their survival for years to come, while accurate • replicas could present the original intention of this feature. • If the originals are left in place, they can be treated with a water repellent • preservative, outlined in methodology notes, below. If new posts are installed, it is ■ essential that new posts be placed exactly where the original ones were. Some iron • pipes remain, but others may have to be added to complete enclosures. ■ The 1811 Mary Dixon brownstone is a good stone with an extensive epitaph. The - ■ footstone is broken, and there is evidence of animal incursion. Early conservation - • will protect this stone from further loss and allow the head/footstone to be presented _ as intended. a la The 1766 John Gedney brownstone has crossbones with a snake swallowing its tail, a along with the inscription "Life how short, Eternity how long" surrounding the _ motif. It is broken in two pieces and broken from the base. This is a top priority for • conservation. al me s• on la a NI Ora Ow /i' Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin ea ..s 31 The I. Townsend 1716 brownstone has mower damage. This is the earliest stone in the burial ground,predating the 1722 marker, previously thought to be the •earliest. recA 3 {' i'�m 4, ";;P-7/ s 4 It . JA 4 �fir3v x iX 4' F r� ro- ern * .1 Mower damage is evident to this early stone. The 1771 John Townsend brownstone has a crossbones motif. The John Townsend brownstone, with its crossbones motif, is an early marker significant both historically and artistically. 5tone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin Ir'' , 32 D15131ZOW BURIAL GROUND Entrance Disbrow Burial Ground is approached by a set of high, steep steps. It is enclosed by a set of attractive, dry-laid fieldstone walls. There are fieldstone markers as well as marble tablets. The site is small, and it appears larger on the map than the site would suggest. boundaries ,, • ';1It-2_' Surrounded by a wall, the boundaries 1 - ,.. .,,` -. . l are defined. The wall needs . ; maintenance, and there is a need for - I clearing immediately behind it on :...41,-;"4'c.,T` _ - several sides. The map suggests an area __ considerably larger than the enclosure, particularly to the east. This is 0 - � . 1,f7) b.v overgrown and should be cleared and j -it„ K - Y -�. examined for graves and markers. If 4 '` �' none are found, the wall boundary can __ - be accepted as true. The high steps help to protect the site from vandals,but they are difficult for many visitors. 1 I Safety A safety consideration here is the set of steps. An appropriate railing would greatly improve access. Site Maintenance Clearing to and behind the wall are concerns for the grounds maintenance crew. A dead tree needs to be removed. I � j Landscaping !i The site contains mature trees and mossy grounds. The trees add to the site's beauty, ambiance, and historical integrity. The mossy ground is a good groundcover for this shady site. . 'fo. . ?`�, i .y . _ h • , • Mature trees help to create a pleasant s - . ambiance at Disbrow Burial Ground. 5tonc Paces and Sacred 5paces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 33 Conservation As one goes up the stairs, to the right is a small breach of wall in need of repair. There is a grave behind the wall, and eventually, wall failure could lead to a loss of remains inside. The perimeter wall has some minor failures, which should be repaired now,while it is a small and relatively inexpensive problem. Two markers in need of repair are the Edward Merritt marker and the David , Disbrow marker. The Merritt marker can be reset after the base,nearly buried, is unearthed. 1 1 The four-inch marble Disbrow marker rests next to its base rather than on it, as it was designed. Curiously, this is not a tab/slot construction, nor are there any pins or holes for pins. For whatever reason,this marker was not set in the usual way. While the monument is stable in its current configuration, this is not the proper presentation for it. To set it correctly, the base needs to be leveled on its below- grade foundation and the marker set on it. If no pins are used, even with adhesive, the marker is likely to fail within a few years. A better treatment is to drill holes both in the marker and the base and use stainless steel pins set in adhesive to join the two pieces. A bed of mortar should rest between the two elements of this monument. In addition, the marker for Henry and Anna Disbrow is a tall, thin marble tablet. It is leaning and particularly vulnerable because of its size. Resetting this marker is a conservation priority. The marble tablet for "The Grave of Emily" has a small vertical fracture at the top. This will take in water, freezing, thawing, opening the crack further. It should be treated by a conservator, using injectable grout. It is also leaning and would benefit from resetting. 0 0 0 0 Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 0 ib 34 COMMON ISSUES at the Several burial Grounc 5 DOCUMENTATION Documentation at the sites is incomplete. The Town has several books of listings of burials at the several sites, several files of newspaper articles, and aerial maps of the sites. These are all important documents. However, a grave-by-grave map of each site is needed, both to responsibly undertake current work and also to provide information for future caretakers and researchers. An inventory sheet for each marker is needed. In addition, a photo of each marker at each site, as well as overall shots of the various sites, is necessary. These need to be identified and to correlate with the map and the grave listings. One can only imagine that time, storms, and natural attrition will take a furth the sites and their markers. At some future point, (as with some sites alreader toll y gone), documentation may be the only tangible reminder of this part of Mamaroneck's history. Additional research of each site may reveal characteristics, conditions, and changes to the burial grounds over time. Such information is important to the historical record and informs conservation and preservation work in the future. PRESERVATION PLAN A plan for both maintenance and preservation is lacking at all sites. In order to responsibly and adequately address all the problems at all these sites, development of a sound historic preservation master plan directed both toward understanding of the sites and also to undertaking their physical preservation, is essential. Research is necessary to understand these sites physically in their historical past. What did the site look like in 1913? In 1872? What efforts were undertaken by families, by citizen groups, by the Town over time? How has each site changed from its original form, configuration, size, and detail? Surprisingly, much of this can be learned by solid research, and this information directs much of what will physically take place at a site currently as "preservation"or "restoration."No physical changes to the site should take place until the site has been adequately researched. That is, marker and Stone Paces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 0 i 35 1 landscape treatment should follow completion of research efforts. Ideally, even site 1 cleanup should follow research, but at many sites, this work is of enough urgency 1 that well-directed site cleanup may take place prior to completion of research and a I complete plan. SITE MAINTENANCE 1 Grounds maintenance is an issue at all of the Town's nine burial grounds. The sites I appear to be minimally maintained. 1 to�. Poison 1vy F= tw - ,•. • .00. Poisonous plants (ivy, oak, sumac) are common at most of the sites and should be ,f 0 *' , w�- y` k identified and removed as soon as possible. r i w t ' (This should take place in the spring, after �„ , .1, , i . , ; poison ivy has leafed out. Its eradication is ''-',A'1.,:.-1_ �. ''4--:) ` ` r& most effective when its leaf structure is strong.) t' 1_ 4-'''':- 4 7, \>` , +1^ w ,x This is a safety issue and should be considered ' _ f7,:,1,14,r..-::;4,,,,: along with emergency stabilization. , t,. its " vo *€,a S 7 Scrub Overgrowth ; The back area of several cemeteries have been rtL .- T R overtaken by scrub overgrowth, as several sites =`*_*f * have not been cleared to the back of the site. Markers can be seen among the woody growth. r.Y ' ,�4 -V):„.,-;_;, These sites should be carefully cleared by 4 4 ,'- .. -. '- Town personnel instructed to exercise particular care regarding markers and vegetation that may once have been planted and is an important part of each site and its history. Poison ivy is prevalent at most sites. It should be eliminated. Preservation of existing vegetation is an important aspect of site maintenance. At the Mamaroneck sites, vinca is prevalent. Trained personnel should examine each site in order to identify such common features as ivy, vinca, and perennials and shrubs commonly planted in the area. All plantings known to be graveyard plantings or other cultivated plantings should be identified and/or flagged, so that clearing personnel will clearly understand what is to be cleared and what is to be removed. In addition, it is essential they understand the importance of protecting the markers overgrown by weeds and woody growth. 5tone Paces and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 402 6 1011 VI d- • ',:—%:-',...- _ - • u ,%,.r../ �r s�.3 bler s �.y �. --..r.:---`r' ' • �'i A� }'} 4 f� y � -;t4,:..:( ice+ ) t -` tie jt.. "„L',161...f 1;0..4 rL, .�f' �t o' ' F. . .. +'t,.a '.' Ic -r' tise �`� 4 r ,% °_t ,ems , ,; 19 - A '." . '5! -,.. 47A- -,.. ', s -a:-ate- . %SO Vinca is common at many sites. Serious efforts WI should be made to protect and encourage its growth. IP IP Trash Ige Bottles and debris left by transients should be removed. Their removal is a regular part of good site maintenance. Ikoll Vs Vegetative Debris WI Fallen limbs and other plant debris at the back of burial grounds apparently have WI been deposited there by maintenance crews. They should, instead, be brought to til the street where they can then be picked up by street crews. This debris should be removed to clean up the sites and, if any such practice is current, it should be CEP discontinued. too 5OUNDARY DEFINITION to A lack of clear boundary definition is a problem at several sites. The burial sites gia' should be professionally surveyed to determine legal boundaries. In addition, current % technologies such as ground-penetrating-radar should be utilized to determine if liel there are burials in adjacent areas that either are legally or - - 4 *7 apparently beyond burial ground boundaries. If so, the pa rout,: yam., _ _,: burial ground should either be extended to include these tal „AO.. - : 1_ burials or the burials should be respectfully removed to wii t ..`- within the burial ground boundaries. If burials are - — determined to reside beneath buildings that have since pa ' r-- been constructed, there is little to be done, but if burialsWI are found extending into, say, what appears to be a IP' - , ; - neighbor's yard, surveying can determine actual IP 4 boundaries. If a graveyard extends into a neighbor's legally-defined lot, the neighbor should be paid for losing IP part of that lot, and the graveyard boundary should be pa Encroachment and lack of re-established to include all burials. If park land is adjacent flga boundary definition is most to a site and burials extend into what is considered park apparent at Richbell Burial property, the Town should relinquish that property as park a Ground. and redefine it as burial ground. w pa pa Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 01 37 Boundary definition is a serious problem at these sites and apparent encroachment is not uncommon. This is an issue that needs to be addressed promptly. A site cannot be adequately preserved until its perimeters are known and respected. PERIMETER WALL Perimeter wall maintenance and reconstruction is another issue common to several sites. Like the burial grounds themselves, the importance of this early wall construction can easily be overlooked. Like the markers, these stones were often placed by eighteenth- and nineteenth-century craftsmen, rare examples of the work of such artisans. While these styles of walls may appear common in the area, they nevertheless represent rare and important examples of the work of these early artisans. When even an important feature is viewed as common, it is not unusual for them to be largely disregarded by the local populace. T :r At the burial grounds, these walls are in varying %:'; degrees of disrepair. In one case, the wall is lost and only an at-grade rubble field remains. All walls should be addressed for repair, and the lost 1 z .' wall (Delancey) should be given high consideration for rebuilding. These walls may be • £{ ; ,•s the single most important feature at these sites. `^ Their rebuilding and care should receive a high A priority. Perimeter wall maintenance is an important consideration at several of the burial grounds. CONSERVATION Marker preservation is, of course, an additional common issue. While this is a significant problem at all sites, it is secondary to the already-mentioned issues, in part, because of the cost and uncommonly-found technical skill needed to undertake this work. The immediacy of the earlier-mentioned issues gives them priority, but it does not diminish the importance of developing and undertaking a program for marker preservation. 1 I I k 0 Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 I TI t 38 . a `a _. a I �� y r + _ mil_,�:'s. �� . <-. o r ......-0...,,,-,_,- ...).- y r__ '".._. �'sf P .._._ . r:-v. 1. - f fi` ., ' i I II. r u Ar II ,..,: The need for conservation is found at all sites. Nevertheless, boundary definition, site reclamation, and grounds maintenance should be addressed prior to undertaking conservation efforts. 5tone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 39 ► KECOMMENDAT1ON5 1 • IMMEDIATE MAINTENANCE Maintenance Plan Practically speaking, the first priority item for these burial grounds is the development of good maintenance and a good maintenance plan for these historic sites. Maintenance is the very basic care that each site must receive. Maintenance, by definition, is ongoing, and must be continued over time. Maintenance is discussed first, because it is a primary concern at these sites and it can be addressed relatively easily and inexpensively. Good ongoing maintenance creates sites that require less intervention (i.e., long-term cost) and also discourages vandalism. Sites that are well-maintained are less inviting to vandals or other miscreants, who feel they might be observed at a well-cared-for site. Good maintenance is also required if we are to use these sites today. It allows for the sites to be used as part of a tourism program, and it encourages visitation and community involvement. Mowing It appears that, currently, maintenance is restricted primarily to mowing. When 1 mowing is the only care that sites receive, each entire site suffers. The burial grounds are unattractive to visitors, and visitation goes down. They are not welcoming to tourists, and they give a poor impression to those from out of town who do visit. They welcome vandals, who see them as of little importance to the town, and they are downgraded further. 1 1 A mowing schedule of a minimum of once every three weeks in summer should be established. More commonly, burial grounds are mowed every ten days in summer. 1 Poison Ivy Eradication At nearly every site, poison ivy (and sometimes poison oak or sumac) is a problem. 1 This should be carefully eradicated at all sites in the spring of 2009. 1 1 1 Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 40 Site Cleanup A cleanup schedule, at least monthly, should be developed to ensure timely removal of limb and leaf debris, as well as bottles, trash, etc. that may have been left by visitors. In addition, all sites should be checked after storms, when additional tree limbs or debris may have been deposited at various sites. All trash and vegetative debris currently at the various burial grounds should be removed from the site. Current practice appears to be to deposit debris at the back of the sites, creating further maintenance problems. Trash, tree limbs, and vegetative debris deposited at the back of the several burial grounds should be removed to the street and picked up by Town crews. This remedial measure should be undertaken as soon as possible. Site Reclamation Site reclamation is necessary at several of the burial grounds. Gedney should be cleared to the rock wall near the stream. Richbell should be cleared to the far end of the burial ground, to the end of the plot of ivy. Florence/Powell should be cleared to the end of the burial ground, near the shed. These are major clearing tasks, due to the extensive plant overgrowth that has been allowed to occur. These sites have been treated as if they are much smaller than they apparently are. Prior to cleanup, the examination and identification of significant plantings (that is, any plants likely to have been intentional plantings, and therefore, a part of the history of the site) by a knowledgeable and qualified Town staff person is necessary. Liz Paul, the Town's Environmental Planner, is someone who may be willing and knowledgeable in this area. Engaging her in this endeavor may be extremely beneficial to the burial grounds. When this work isbeing done, knowledgeable oversight g gh (Liz Paul?)must be used to assure that care is taken to remove only the undesirable plantings, while at the same time protecting any cut stone or fieldstone markers or fragments that may be found under the vegetative overgrowth. It is acceptable to leave some of the younger trees, along with older ones, to maintain a tree canopy. Trees enhance the site. Careful hand work is necessary. The crew undertaking the work needs to be informed regarding the plantings and the careful nature of the work. No machines should be used, other than chainsaws to remove young trees and some larger dead ones. Careful oversight of this work is necessary to ensure that no damage is done to desirable plantings or to markers, walls, or other features. When reclamation is complete, bring positive attention to the "new" burial ground with a rededication ceremony. A brief ceremony might include information about contributions of the residents there, followed by a song or hymn from the period that might have been commonly known and loved by those buried there. Such a 5tone races and 5acrcd 5Paces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 41 ceremony involves townspeople and helps to renew the respect for the site that each deserves. Perhaps the Town Historical Society could be a part of this endeavor. Overdue Maintenance Other overdue maintenance tasks include trimming the shrubs at the Richbell Founder's plaque, trimming shrubs in front of the wall at Palmer Burial Ground, trimming shrubs at the back of the Quaker-Barker burial grounds, and trimming other overgrown shrubs and hedges, particularly around the perimeters of sites, most often along stone walls. Gedney, Florence/Powell, Disbrow, Old Town, even Delancey, all have overgrown shrub concerns. As with the ,more extensive trimming, great care must be taken to identify and protect desirable plantings. At Florence/Powell, for example, in addition to the extensive clearing needed, the perimeter needs significant overgrowth removal. But the task must be undertaken with utmost care, since many intentional plantings are there, among them hosta, Solomon's seal, vinca, and others. Unless every individual plant is identified and marked beforehand (a considerable undertaking), be sure the work crew can identify these and other commonly grown plants found here. A "get in and get out quickly" approach is neither appropriate nor acceptable for this work. Of course, once the sites have been properly trimmed and cleared, maintenance of the shrubbery and potential overgrowth becomes a part of regular maintenance. As with cleanup, trimming of unwanted new growth should take place on a monthly basis for at least five months of the spring/summer/fall seasons. SITE IMPROVEMENTS E)oundaries Boundaries at several sites were surprisingly unclear. Establishing boundaries for any property is a first and necessary consideration for any endeavor at that property. In many cases, new surveys done by the town surveyor are recommended. Once completed, compare existing burials with the current survey. Remember that the survey will identify current legal boundaries, but these might require adjustment if burials are found beyond legal boundaries. Either boundaries will need to be moved and adjacent property owners compensated, or graves will have to be moved to within existing boundaries (property owners may still need to be compensated for disruption to their property). The Richbell Burial Ground has uncertain boundaries on all sides. Before other work beyond clearing is done, establishing clear boundaries is essential. Boundaries are unclear on the park sides as well as the residential sides. The aerial map reveals a buffer zone between the neighbors' properties and the burial ground. That is not apparent at the site. There is also a poorly-defined area behind the burial ground (covered in ivy and overgrowth) that may be a part of the burial ground. 5tone Faces and Sacred 5Faces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 Irml • 42 ;I it i Commonly, ivy is used as a burialound gr groundcover, supporting the possibility I that this entire area is part of the historic burial ground. First, a survey should be completed to determine the current legal boundaries of the site. Then, using ground-penetrating-radar or similar sensing devices, determine if there are graves beyond the area commonly considered to be the current burial ground. If burials are found in areas thought to be park or residential back yards, they are nevertheless part of the burial ground. Park land, it would seem, could easily be ceded to the burial ground. Richbell's neighbors would have to be II compensated for any loss of their backyards, if burials are found there. The Quaker-Barker Burial Ground was once " ' "1 known as the Quaker-Barker-Palmer Burial -,1,'•,.. N..1 -. t%' T l' Ground. While listings of deceased in Town s r; . • records indicate that "No headstones were f t,� 11, Ii evident" in the area of the Palmer Burial _ Ground as early as 1955, nevertheless, the y ' .. -� ! burials still were there. A diagram indicates a t �� , '` �' triangularly-shaped area for the three burial `j grounds. The aerial map suggests a triangular Y.' area, which could easily have represented the } i Quaker-Barker-Palmer " ' ifix Burial Grounds. Ing �'�' *N such case, the Palmer Burial Ground has been �� ;' ,� '"' ^ 4.' entirely absorbed by the adjoining property, f y pity, e r - in large part as a little-planted landscaping "` . �__•*-1, area and a parking area. Although the - r property apparently has been sold to the AY g�' to 4.-i , .. neighbor, a survey of these burial grounds .:.. ,>-< y -z 6 should take place, and a GPR or similar survey The map suggests a location for Palmer done to see if burials remain outside the currently Burial Ground within the triangle. accepted burial ground perimeters. If burials are found in the adjoining property, they should be respectfully removed to an appropriate place, presumably within the confines of the Quaker-Barker Burial Grounds. Presumably, this would have been done when the property changed hands, but no records were available to indicate this. If there are burials to be incorporated into Quaker-Barker, GPR or similar is needed to assure that there is room for the new burials without disturbing existing graves. At Florence/Powell, the aerial map indicates the burial ground extends to a dilapidated shed well beyond the maintained area of the site. A re-survey can determine exact boundaries. In addition, various wall remnants suggest the site I extends further than is currently maintained. 5tone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral J'oint,Wisconsin 1 az 1 At Delancey Burial Ground, no infringements are apparent. However, remnants of an apparent perimeter dry-laid stone wall suggest the original burial ground was 1 actually smaller than the current site suggests. Again, a survey is in order to determine legal boundaries. Then a GPR or similar study can be used to determine if there are graves beyond this nibble field area. Assuming the legal boundary is outside the rubble field area, a small and welcome 1 buffer is provided between the burial ground and neighboring properties. Boundaries at the Old Town Burial Ground are currently defined by buildings on three sides and a wall at the front. These are unlikely to change any time soon. However, to the south, a building appears to be so close that a GPR or similar study is recommended to determine if burials do indeed exist right up to the building. At Gedney Burial Ground, a stone wall demarcates a burial ground bounded by a stream. Very likely, placement by this stream was not coincidental to the originators of the burial ground. They placed it there, perhaps for a symbolic reason or another, ! but, in any case, they placed it there. As it is currently maintained, a large hill is covered with overgrowth and debris, and a large tree has fallen on what is the actual perimeter wall. A survey here will determine current legal boundaries, and a GPR 1 or similar study may determine if there are burials on the hill. DOCUMENTATION Establishing good and thorough documentation is an essential first step to good burial ground preservation and protection. Practically speaking, at some point, perhaps the documentation will be all that remains of a given site. Mamaroneck should be well aware of this fact, since, indeed, it is all that is left of several of its historic burial grounds. 1 In most cases, completion of documentation is a prerequisite to other work. However, at Mamaroneck,the tasks of site maintenance and boundary identification are of such priority that these tasks may be completed concurrently. 1 ! Current documentation for Mamaroneck's historic burial grounds is incomplete. Compilations of listings of deceased within a burial ground are found, often 1 repeated over several time periods. However, these generally do not contain whole inscriptions, nor do they indicate locations of burials, nor information about the markers themselves. Few maps exist, and these, for the most part, do not show each marker within a site. Few, if any, marker survey forms indicate stone material, condition, etc. There is much to be done to complete documentation for these sites. At any site, a historical review of what has gone before establishes a framework for what is to be done. It is important to understand as much as possible about the site at the earliest point possible. It is useful to know what changes have taken place, as recorded, perhaps, in historical Town Council meeting minutes, in diaries and wills 1 0 5tone races and Sacred `jpaccs, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 1 44 • (when the burial grounds were family sites), in newspaper articles, in family photographs, and any other available documentation. At Mamaroneck, such a literature search is an important project. However, until that is done, it is important to document the sites as they currently exist. In addition, documentation is a necessary part of any preservation work. Before any site work is done, it is important to know what was there before. Learning what has gone before and identifying what is present currently are essential components of determining what is to be done. If Photographing each marker, along with overall photos of each site, are important first steps in documentation. All sites and markers should be photographed before beginning any work. They should also be photographed upon completion of any project. Extensive conservation projects should also be photographed throughout the project. While storing photos digitally is appropriate and efficient, remember that digital formats will change in a short time, storage is not long-lived, and all photos will have to be transferred to new formats as they emerge. It is a good idea to also archive a black-and-white paper copy of each photo,properly identified. An Inventory and Conditions Assessment consists of completing a marker survey form for each marker, documenting marker size, material, condition, and location. Name, death date, and complete inscription exactly as shown on the marker are also jj recorded. In addition, comments may be made regarding previous repairs, associated vegetation, or other concerns of interest. A sample form for this survey is provided in the Appendices following this report. This sample form may be modified to suit the needs of an individual site, but it should not be abridged to exclude any information. Completion of this form is not a substitute for a conditions assessment by a conservator prior to undertaking conservation work. However, it provides a baseline and can be useful in identifying markers or sections of the burial ground in greatest need of work, when project parameters are being developed. A training workshop for volunteers prepares them to undertake this important and time-consuming work accurately. A volunteer coordinator, in charge of the overall result, makes assignments to volunteers, follows up on their work, and double- checks for accuracy (often this consists of sending a second individual or team to check the work of the first team. Changes in lighting conditions or weather, along with barely legible inscriptions and human error, result in mistakes by even the most diligent surveyors.) The volunteer coordinator can be either a paid or volunteer position, but in all cases, the individual must be knowledgeable and dedicated to the project. He/she operates under the direction of the Town. 5tone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 45 Signage can be improved at all locations. Some sites, such as Palmer, do not have any sign at all. Others could benefit from additional signage, such as a laminated map on a pedestal or a kiosk highlighting interesting and significant features of the site. Such signs should remain outside of the burial ground proper so as not to interfere with the site itself. Visitors learn about the site and have greater appreciation for its value when offered such information. Mapping of each site is integral to good burial ground preservation. Much can be learned from a good map. Sometimes family groupings become apparent, or, in some cases, burials not associated with family groupings (Quakers might be an example), the earliest (and latest) parts of the burial ground can be located, and, of course,the location of markers, which might later become dislocated, is known. Mapping is also used to identify plantings within a burial ground. A separate copy of the map is often used, to keep the map clear, free of clutter, and easy to read. All landscape elements should be mapped, including trees, shrubs,perennials,reseeding annuals, and wildflowers. When conservation work is done, photos are taken before, during, and after treatment. In addition, a form is completed, which identifies the condition of the marker as found, the treatment given, and the results. An "after" photo completes 1 the documentation. This information is valuable to researchers and can be invaluable to future conservators. ENCLOSURES Once boundaries are clearly established, they are used to determine the location of suitable enclosures. The State of New York specifies that municipalities are to provide maintenance and a fence around burial grounds that are within their ) jurisdiction. I Dry-laid stone walls are most appropriate to seventeenth-or eighteenth-century sites in this area, while mortared walls are more common in the nineteenth century. Stone walls throughout the area may appear commonplace, due to their frequency. e However, this is a historic feature of the area uncommon in other parts of the country. Walls can be identified as to the period of their construction by the manner of construction. The area has eighteenth, nineteenth, and perhaps some seventeenth- century walls, all of which are important historically and should be preserved and maintained. At the burial grounds, stone walls are the most common enclosure and the most important style of enclosure. In many cases, where they have failed over time, they have been replaced inadequately with modern wire or wood fencing. The stone perimeter walls, in many cases, are the most important feature of the site. Existing walls should be repaired and maintained. Stone walls should be the enclosure of choice in creating new enclosures for seventeenth, eighteenth, and early nineteenth-century sites. S Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 46 Cast-iron is also appropriate to a nineteenth-century site. Cast-iron is long-lasting and requires relatively little maintenance. Another look-alike choice is cast aluminum, which will not rust. It is a possible new enclosure for a nineteenth- century site. Split-rail fencing has been suggested for seventeenth- or eighteenth-century sites, but this is relatively impermanent and subject to being easily moved. It provides a less permanent enclosure. Perhaps a better wood option would be a wood paling fence, which was commonly used in the seventeenth century. To determine an appropriate wood paling fence style, research actual wood paling fence styles common to the area in the seventeenth- or eighteenth-centuries and select a style from one of them. A possible reference source is Fences: Authentic Detailsor Design .� and Restoration (Historic Landscape Details) by Peter Joel Harrison. Modern fencing sold as wood paling 1 fencing is not an appropriate choice. 4 Also of concern, while fences are important to establish boundaries, they also limit4 open space, wildlife flow, etc. This is an important consideration in providing environmentally friendly spaces. Nevertheless, the need to demarcate a burial 4 ground supersedes the desire for openness in a landscape. The compromise, perhaps, is to provide an enclosure system that best accomplishes both goals of enclosing the burial ground while at the same time allowing for an open feeling, some passage of wildlife, etc. The likeliest choice to meet all these needs is a low, dry-laid stone wall. LANDSCAPING Other than improvements noted elsewhere within this paper, alterations to the landscape are not recommended. To be avoided are new plantings (especially ai modern hybrids or varieties) or surfaced walkways (inappropriate for burial grounds of this era and with this level of visitation). Even the additional of waste receptacles alters the site and, additionally, requires regular emptying by Town personnel if they are not to become eyesores themselves. Lighting sometimes is helpful to deter �} vandalism. However, good lighting can also make it easier for miscreants to destroy markers quickly, if there is little likelihood of beinginterrupted by ols. Some of these sites are remote enough that only a concerted effort bylpoliicepce will protect them. At all times it should be remembered that the goal of burial ground protection efforts is the preservation of historic burial grounds. While at times some minor WIN alteration may be necessary for the protection of the site and its elements, any change alters the entire site and diminishes its historic integrity. Changes should take place only after careful consideration and due to true necessity. They should be part of a well-considered preservation plan. f j Stone races and Sacred Spaces, r� P , Mineral Point, Wisconsin 47 Do not "beautify" for prettiness' sake. Without knowing what plantings were there at the time when the sites were active burial grounds, we cannot know what would be appropriate. In most cases, there were few plantings, and sheep may have grazed to keep weeds down. Plants there now can be considered a part of the site's historical evolution, and, for the most part, can stay. Vinca, ivy, and yucca, for example, are traditional burial ground plantings and very much a part of the history of the site. Hostas, such as found at Florence/Powell, are likely later additions, but these, too, likely date to early- or mid-twentieth century, and can be considered part of the history of the site. They,too, should be preserved. Trees, for the most part, should remain. Trees, too, are historic components of burial grounds and should be treated as permanent elements of the site. While most of these trees are not old enough to have been part of the sites when they were active burial grounds, many nevertheless are mature and provide a sometimes protective and most often attractive canopy. Dying or dead trees can be replaced in kind with a tree of the same species and variety. Again, take care not to introduce new varieties or hybrids. Use historically appropriate species and varieties in replacements. A landscape historian can ensure the selection of an appropriate tree replacement. Many trees at these sites need care. An arborist can identify trees in need of pruning. These then can be trimmed by trained and knowledgeable landscape crews. Dead trees and stumps should be removed. Take great care not to remove trees without good reason. Often, if a tree conflicts with a marker, the marker can be documented and moved slightly. / As noted above, other plantings are identified as part of the complete documentation process. Individual plants and their locations should be mapped at 1 each site. This includes perennials, bulbs, reseeding annuals, shrubs, and any other / intentional plantings. Sometimes plants we now consider wildflowers, or even 1 weeds, may have been intentional plantings of a century ago, so it is important to work with a landscape historian who can identify such anomalies. EMERGENCY 5TAbILIZATION AND SAFETY PLAN 1 An emergency stabilization plan is a common component of most good preservation plans. At Mamaroneck,top items include removal of poison ivy from all sites where 1 it is present. This is a safety measure that should not be ignored. 1 Other safety measures include installing a fence in the north rear corner of Old 1 Town Burial Ground, where there is a drop off to the next property. At Palmer, a hand railing and resetting of the top step will improve public safety. At Disbrow, an 1 appropriately-styled hand railing would also be helpful. As in other areas of site preservation,railings should be in keeping with the period of the site. 1 1 1 Stone Faces and 5acrecl Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 1 48 Emergency stabilization measures for marker elements might include constructing a canvas canopy over the family vault at Barker Burial Ground. This would help to protect it from the elements until it can be treated by a qualified conservator. The canopy should not rest directly on the roof, but rather above it, allowing the ready passage of air, while minimizing water infiltration. Whole, loose markers, at risk for theft or loss, can be reset, as long as their original location is known and the process is fully documented. Other markers might be identified for emergency stabilization as part of the planning process. HISTORICALLY,ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT MARKERS Part of the preservation of historic burial grounds is the identification of architecturally and historically significant markers. These are given a high priority for conservation. They can also sometimes be used as lynch pins for funding, publicity, and public awareness. A conservation plan for historically or architecturally significant markers should be developed at an early point in preservation planning. Develo an a conservation plan for each, as determined byp Ppropriate professional. an a ppropriate conservation Examples of architecturally and historically significant markers at Mamaroneck's historic burial grounds include the above-ground tomb at Barker Burial Ground. This structure likely dates to the early nineteenth-century. It is well-constructed and 4 the only known tomb at the Town's several historic burial grounds. Architecturally, 4 it is a significant component of the Town's burial monuments. It is also significant 4 culturally in that it is associated with the Underground Railroad. Whether or not the legend associated with it is true, it is nevertheless an important part of Mamaroneck Town lore. Historical research can determine the authenticity of the story. When conservation is undertaken, a professional archaeologist can examine the interior of the tomb to determine whether or not there was ever a tunnel leading to or from it. It should be noted that no entrance should take place unless it is part of a professionally-led project, undertaken by appropriate professionals at all levels. Well-meaning non- professionals, should they enter the tomb to make this determination, might inadvertently destroy the evidence an archaeologist needs to determine the authenticity of the claims of a tunnel for the Underground Railroad. The Samuel Deall marker at Quaker Burial Ground is historically significant. Records indicate Deall was founder of Larchmont. This is a historically grave that should receive high important priority consideration in its resetting. Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1, I • 49 I 1 At Richbell, the two cut brownstone markers are historically significant and of high priority. One is broken, the other is leaning dangerously and needs resetting. 1 1 At Gedney, the surviving wood post enclosures are significant because of their 1 rarity, and the brownstone markers are also significant, due to their high quality and unusual motifs. They also represent the earliest markers at this site and are among I the most interesting markers in the Town. I Any brownstone markers at these sites should be considered top priority for treatment. 1 ► In addition, the rock walls enclosing most of the burial grounds are historically I significant. Overall,these may be the most significant features at these sites. I mo . � ,., , , d - t SMA t -gz Y ' ' z e, r• /44:4 Imo. t' . ams S.. S , NR y '� ,�" ,, r , Fri€ v .. 4 . ;, it 1 .�. , ,+ mss- F } , - a � rti w tif4 1 i ' � $ 11.41 . . , 1 Wood post Well-executed motif Well-cut sandstone 1 EY' �1.t " ;";:45.-..,:e � 1 tC' . Is!�;,-''' P #2 0.1. A - '4i ' - +'1Ir ....k ".I Brick family tomb Perimeter wall 1 1 Some significant elements of Mamaroneck historic burial grounds. 1 1 1 5tonc Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 i 50 CONSERVATION PLAN Generally, following documentation (or sometimes, concurrent with ongoing documentation efforts), the conservation plan is developed. It evaluates the condition of markers and determines what markers at each site are in need of treatment. It prioritizes the work and estimates costs. In Mamaroneck, a high-priority demonstration plot (or several markers) might be undertaken at each site to illustrate what can and what needs to be done to improve iv the condition of markers at that site. This relatively small change improves the sites and provides visibility that is often used for public awareness and to stimulate fundraising efforts. In this way, all sites can be addressed at relatively low cost. 0 This, of course, is a first step which should be used to gain additional funding for p additional marker and site treatment. The conservation plan will identify markers to be treated, will recommend treatment for each, and will prioritize the work for both urgency and efficiency. I Because the needs are great, and available funding may be limited, it's a good idea to determine a "ten-year-plan" for the sites, undertaking the most urgent and i historically/architecturally significant work first. Additional work can be completed (� over the ten-year period. In planning, it is essential that shortcuts are not taken. In other words, when needed, use landscape historians, arborists, conservators, and stone masons familiar with (and skilled in the treatment of) historic sites and their needs. Do not rely on volunteers or quasi-professionals for work where trained and skilled practitioners lip are more fitting choices. 4-0 TOWN POLICY It is incumbent upon the Town to develop policy regarding the burial grounds. Such policy will direct activities of Town personnel as well as that of visitors and volunteers. w For example, maintenance policy should direct that sites be maintained to their full perimeters and that debris be removed regularly and often. Likewise, burial ground policy might require that no visitors are allowed after dusk. Volunteer activity is always under the control of the Town, and policy should clearly state that no 0100 volunteers are in charge of any project within the burial grounds. While volunteers 400 can provide a helpful work force to benefit the burial grounds, their work must always remain soundly under control of the Town. Lack of policy results in sites that may be poorly maintained, possibly abused, and too sometimes irreversibly altered. 4105 5tone races and 5acrecl Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 406 SOY 51 COMMUNITY INVOLVE.MENT COMMUNITY INTEREST If these sites are to be preserved,both the Town and the community will need to see the benefit of doing so. If the public is going to support the preservation of early burial grounds, there has to be "something in it for them." It becomes important to the Town, then, to help the community recognize their importance not only historically and culturally, but in practical ways and uses for today. Developing community interest and support is yet another important aspect of burial ground preservation. Developing such interest is a project in and of itself. 1 Ideally, community members, historical societies, and Town staff work together to develop a program that the community will embrace as worthwhile. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Tourism Burial grounds are a common component of local tourism in many areas. In 1 Mamaroneck, they might be linked to a "colonial greenway," in which burial 1 grounds and other local colonial sites might be highlighted. Maps to all the sites might be made available (preferably free, or for a small price to offset the cost of 1 production) at motels, restaurants, and popular tourist locations. Special events might be designed around holidays, such as the Fourth of July or Memorial Day. 1 Events on less-well-known dates particular to Mamaroneck's history might be even more well-received. Tours Joint ventures of the Town and local townspeople may net good results. For example, the Town might provide a clear and attractive map to all the sites (which might be used by those traveling by vehicle, bicycle, or in some cases, on foot), while townspeople might serve as site guides and provide additional manpower for special events. Local historians might provide accurate and lively text to accompany the map or for special events. 1 5tone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 1 52 An often-popular community activity might be to have a once-monthly tour of one of the sites. Community members might lead the tour, discussing the historical importance of the site, its relative age (what else was going on in Mamaroneck when this burial ground was active?), contributions of those buried here (the lesser- !. knowns as well as those prominent historically), interesting features of the site itself (the walls, the types of markers, how markers might have arrived at the site, the stonemason's art, vegetation that represents early historical practices, etc.). Various aspects of community life at each site might provide themes for discussion. Perhaps at the Quaker-Barker site, for example, Quaker music might be discussed— and sung. At Delancey, discussion of how the Delancey family lived, with its burial ground away from the home, could provide insight into the life of farmers of the day. At the Old Town Burial Ground, consider what community values may have been. What was expected of citizens? Of men? Of At Richbell, discuss the privations of the very earliestsettlers of Mamar nemen? Of ck.nEa Each site will have a different offering, and, weather permitting, a new program can be presented at each once a year. These tours may not initially be widely-received, until word spreads that they are both fun and informative. Perhaps refreshments might be offered at the end of the tour (along with an opportunity to donate to the site's preservation). Further information regarding the site or how to help with preservation efforts should also be offered. birdwatcking Other ways of using the burial grounds might be as sites for birdwatching. Some groups formally meet at burial grounds, particularly during periods of migration. Due to their usual abundance of trees, burial grounds are often attractive to birds. Special events with informed leaders can attract new admirers of historic burial grounds. Individuals, too, might find birdwatching in the burial ground an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Landscaping Once a plan is in place, garden clubs might be en be done. Involving community members increases thein inteed to rest in and dedication osist with the worko the various sites. When informed citizens offer their services, the Town and the sites benefit from their work. Garden clubs might be willing to clear out selected areas, preserving cultivated plantings. They might plant a tree at a site that has lost one. They might conduct a program regarding plantings in a particular burial ground. In all cases, it is important to remember that the Town is the responsible entity. The Town directs all activities and ensures their appropriateness to a historic burial ground. New plantings, especially modem hybrids, are discouraged. Landscaping changes should only follow thoroughly researched and carefully considered investigations. Nevertheless, carefully guided efforts by other civic groups can be instrumental in reviving the burial grounds at limited c st to the Town. 5tone Faces and 5acrcd Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 53 Other popular activities can sometimes be used as fundraisers, mentioned below. 5URIALGROUNDS AND EDUCATION Burial grounds are an excellent educational tool for students. They can be surprisingly rich and lively sources of history. In many states, state and local history is taught in the fourth and eighth grades. Many school systems take advantage of 1 this mandate to bring students to burial grounds to learn more about their community's history. For a creative teacher, history lessons abound in the burial ground, but there is more to be learned here. Arithmetic lessons are easily learned (of what age was the 0 person who was born in 1752 and died in 1831? Or, what was the average age of the 10 oldest women in this burial ground?); English lessons are found here, too, as we see changes in spellings of words, variants in spellings of the last name of members of the same family, and archaic words. Discussions of what these changes 1 mean and how we think of these changes, how language changes over time and why, can be enlightening. 0 Of course, social studies are apparent in burial grounds, as we learn where a particular group may have come from, we see familial patterns and connections, or 0 we learn of historical figures great and small (always remembering the blacksmith was as important at the general). Discussions of the local culture then and now can be rewarding. And think of the good papers that might result from asking comparative questions, such as"What differences do you see in a father going off to 0 work today or in 1750? Or, "how do women's lives differ today from those in 1800?" Research topics might include questions such as what was the most common cause of death for women in the 18-34 year age group. For men? What was the most common nationality? Art can be taught in burial grounds, too. Students might spend an afternoon (or a class period) drawing a scene in the graveyard; using leaves that have fallen to 0 create a collage, etc. Environmental education is well-undertaken in burial grounds. Tree and plant identification is a good activity. Another might be identifying microclimates where vegetation and shade might create a climate on one side of a site that is not repeated on the other, sunnier side. Seeing the effects of pollution on marble markers is an often eye-opening experience. Observing wildlife is always popular with students. Is there a birds' nest? Evidence of burrowing animals? Squirrel nests high in a tree? Insect colonies? I 1 I Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 I • 1 ' 1 54 1 Scavenger hunts for information are fun for students. Who is the oldest person buried here? What is the name of John Abernathy's wife? What is the earliest death date?Birth date? 1 t Both educational and entertaining, these activities must be monitored and conducted in an orderly fashion. It is important that all activities remain in keeping with the larger goal of preserving these sites. Two dozen children running about a burial ground is never likely to produce a good result for the burial ground. Running and playing, sitting on markers, or doing gravestone rubbings are not appropriate activities for burial ground ventures. Any of these can damage markers and should be avoided. Here is the opportunity to teach the additional goal of respect. Careful supervision is always necessary. I Burial grounds are filled with opportunities for students. Everything from science to art can be taught. Using the burial ground as a teaching tool provides an interesting activity for children, introduces them to the burial grounds and their importance, 4 and creates "friends" of burial grounds in later years. These students are likely to become young people who do not vandalize burial grounds and adults who actively participate in their preservation. While the Town may not choose to develop lesson plans for students' use of burial grounds, they can nevertheless introduce the idea to receptive teachers, who may choose to develop lesson plans to involve their students in understanding and appreciating the importance of historic burial sites. V F GREEN SPACE, PASSIVE PARKS While the community is best in a position to develop their own programs, some ways to use a burial ground in a current setting include the all-important green space. As areas become more and more developed, available green space becomes V more and more limited. Green space is necessary to the human spirit, to maintain our connection with nature,to provide respite,to help us relax. Burial grounds serve well as passive parks. Clearly not the place for throwing Frisbees, these sites could easily be promoted as places of contemplation, bird and squirrel watching, talking with friends, reading marker inscriptions and examining some of the very interesting markers. It is important in this effort that the original intent of the burial ground remains, that its historic integrity be maintained. But, in some cases particularly, minor changes might be made to encourage their use as neighborhood parks. Once the sites have been cleaned up and have become inviting places to visit, neighbors will come here to enjoy them in at least three seasons of the year. As a town investment, the cost is relatively small to preserve green space and to create parks in several neighborhoods. Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 55 At Richbell Burial Ground, the addition of two benches in front of the granite monument would be appropriate. This monument is twentieth-century, and a permanent addition of benches here is in keeping. Benches in front of the 18t- century burial ground, however, are not advised, as this alters the site and its historic integrity. It is important to remember that altering any part, any single element of the site, alters the entire site. Addition of benches to some of the other sites is more problematic, as discussed above. Still, in the interest of increasing public use of the sites, there may be places where no burials are apparent (though they likely are there) that could be used as a place for benches. The Old Town Burial Ground, for example, is devoid of markers near the street near 120 Pleasant Street. In this area is a cluster of yuccas, a typical graveyard planting, especially in the southern United States. Perhaps, when this area has been cleared out,the placement of a bench here might be considered. At other sites, often the best place for a bench might be just outside the entrance, as at Gedney Burial Ground. FUNDING Grants Obtaining funding for burial ground projects requires dedication, creativity, and perseverance. Grants are often not readily available, although sometimes a local corporation, which has a grants department, will support a community-based venture in order to gain good will in the community. If the Town has grant writers, these individuals might be assigned the task of seeking a grant for a particular project. If the project involves funding for conservation projects, a well-developed comprehensive preservation plan is a useful tool in having the application taken seriously. Any granting agency wants to be assured their money is well spent. Sometimes the first funding effort may be to raise funds to develop a professional preservation plan. A comprehensive preservation plan will include upgrading documentation and undertaking research. It will outline maintenance efforts and improvements, clarify site reclamation and boundary and enclosure establishment, outline landscaping needs, determine emergency stabilization needs, identify historic and architecturally significant markers, and develop a conservation plan. Friends' Groups Friends' groups have been established in many areas to support burial grounds. These are generally not-for-profit organizations whose sole purpose is the support of one or more burial grounds in an area. They often work together with municipal governments. For example, the friends' group might take over day-to-day and seasonal maintenance of sites, while the local government maintains insurance and liability for the sites, as they would anyway. This can be a powerful tool in which townspeople and town governments work together for the greatest responsible impact for the sites with the greatest efficiency. Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 Cs 56 CO fundraising Activities Community fundraisers for particular projects can take many forms. These might be ON sponsored by the Town or by interested groups. Maybe some of those students recently introduced to the burial grounds will want to ON sponsor an event to support a particular project. Maybe the historical society will undertake a fundraiser. Or the local garden club. These efforts needn't necessarily take place at the burial ground. Try having literary readings (perhaps using passages from well-known novels that mention burial grounds—but not necessarily! And try w Faulkner rather than Poe.). Small chamber concerts seem to be•particularly well- ON suited as a burial ground fundraising activity. A springtime talk about the plants at the Town burial grounds, as well as the plants common in the area in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries is another possibility. to ON A "Race for the Burial Grounds" can be used to raise money for burial ground to preservation. In a well-publicized event, joggers and runners can raise significant amounts of money towards a particular project. to a Soirees and house parties, too, can be used to raise money for burial ground preservation. These may have a theme, but Halloween is usually not a good one. It is important to move past the notion of burial grounds being supernatural, spooky a places. We want to encourage public perception of burial grounds as places of to historical significance and as peaceful places of respite. a If fundraising efforts are to succeed, it is important they are well publicized and put a the burial grounds in the best possible light. It is also important to have fun! 10 ON !a Iv to a (al 0311 03111 0111 Stone races and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 ' ArrEND1CL5 5tone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin ► APPENDIX I A FEW NOTES ON METHODOLOGY Following are some comments on implementation of procedures mentioned throughout this report. While not inclusive, they outline some considerations necessary to successfully accomplishing the tasks outlined above. Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 0 SAFETY Poison 19 Removal While chemicals are generally not acceptable for use in a burial ground, they are almost the only effective way of removing poison ivy, oak, or sumac, and should be used 1 judiciously for this purpose. Great care must be taken that no weed killer reaches either stones or other vegetative elements. They should not be sprayed, but rather, each plant should be brushed, leaf by leaf, to cover enough leaves to kill the plant without harming 1 any surrounding material. It is then reapplied after several weeks to ensure complete eradication. 1 When plants to be removed are contiguous with markers, monuments, or brickwork, it is important to protect the brick and stone from the chemical. Shield marker elements from 1 chemical overspray or inadvertent application when applying chemicals to plant leaves to eradicate them. 1 1 Even though the work is straightforward, it needs to be supervised and undertaken with utmost care. bOUNDARIE5 GPR Boundaries should be established following re-surveying of questionable property lines. Once modem surveys indicate currently accepted property lines, additional information regarding actual site boundaries can be gained using ground-penetrating radar, or GPR. GPR is a process in which below-ground areas are scanned for anomalies. A trained operator can identify graves by changes in soil density that appear on a GPR readout. For good information, however, it is necessary that the operator be familiar with burial signatures. 0 To locate GPR practitioners, check with nearby colleges and universities to see if their geography or geology department has GPR or other underground sensing devices. Sometimes investigation of a burial ground or surrounding area can be done as a class exercise or project. Sometimes utility companies will donate time (they often use GPR in locating underground features) as positive public relations in the community. Such methods would allow for low-cost examinations of these sites. I Following the GPR study, incorporate any newly-found graves into each burial ground plat. 5ITE MAINTENANCE Mowing Mowing should be done at all sites with small walk-behind mowers that are carefully controlled by conscientious landscaping groomsmen. These sites are small, and larger I 5tone races and Sacred 5paces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin I mowers cannot help but cause damage. If current contracts do not allow for mowing with small, walk-behind mowers, contracts can be amended. LANDSCAPING Monitor perennials Monitor the site for perennials during three seasons of the year, to determine what early plantings survive at each site. Then map, photograph, and document the vegetation. Create a landscape maintenance plan to ensure the health of the plantings. Clearing Clearing of overgrown areas in burial grounds is a project requiring skilled supervision. A landscape historian, horticulturist, or other trained professional is needed to identify plants that may be a historic part of the burial ground. In addition, supervision is needed to assure that no markers or fragments are lost or damaged in the clearing process. Chemical removal of overgrowth is not acceptable as a means of clearing. Desirable plants are killed along with undesirable ones, and there is no opportunity for adequate control. In addition, markers not readily visible due to overgrowth will be damaged by the chemicals. Likewise, use of large machines for clearing is inappropriate. While smaller tools such as chainsaws will be necessary, larger ones such as backhoes will destroy any unseen markers and also destroy unidentified historic plantings. This work is to be done by hand, using conscientious,trained personnel under close supervision. When clearing overgrown areas, it is important to leave desirable perennials along with trees for a tree canopy. Some of these trees may be very young. Several may be selected 4 for retention, while others are removed. The site should not look bare when clearing is 4 done. The purpose is simply to remove unwanted overgrowth. The site should look well- cared-for when the work is done. 4 Prior to clearing, perennials, bulbs, and other cultivated plantings should be identified. 1 They can best be identified by examining the site in three seasons, in order to locate plants that bloom at different times and those that die back shortly after blooming. Once they are found, they are mapped for future reference. 0 When heavy clearing is required, sometimes the larger scrub brush can be removed prior to plant identification. However, it is important that cultivated or early shrubs remain. These, too, must be identified before any removal takes place. Shrubs can be easily E tagged with surveyors' tape, so that crews will not remove them. Trees to be saved, too, G can be flagged, to identify them to crews. Once the scrub brush is removed, it is easier to identify the smaller plantings, such as N bulbs or groundcovers. These, too, can be flagged, but often, they are too numerous to N flag completely. Knowledgeable and conscientious ground crews can protect them, 5tone races and Sacred Spacesinera� M Point,Wisconsin N • however, once they are able to identify the species itself. If there is a question, crews can leave the plant,have it later identified, and then, if appropriate, remove it at a later date. Garden Clubs Garden Clubs can be true allies of burial ground preservation. A good use of volunteer efforts at several of these sites would be to engage volunteers in planting of vinca in areas that have recently been cleared. In some cases, there is already vinca present, which can be transplanted to more needed locations. It is never completely removed from its original location, of course, but, rather, spread to additional locations through transplanting. At locations which need additional vinca, garden club members or other volunteers might bring in vinca transplants from their own gardens, as long as they are of the same variety. This is a good way to involve townspeople, while at the same time saving both labor and"materials"costs to the Town. Stump Removal Stumps can be removed with stump grinders. Small stump grinders, under the direction of careful technicians, can successfully remove stumps in tight areas without harming nearby stones. As in other areas, the need is for careful supervision to ensure that no damage is done in the process. ► CONSERVATION ► Trees growing around markers ► There is at least one case of a tree growing around a stone. This always presents a ► predicament. After careful examination, if the stone can be dug from around the tree trunk and roots and successfully extricated by hand, this should be done. Alternatively, if this is not possible, but the tree can be carefully cut from the stone, this, too, is acceptable. In some cases, there is little to be done except to photograph and document the current situation. Treating wood enclosure Posts If the original posts are kept in situ, they can be treated with a linseed oil/turpentine/paraffin mix to serve as a water repellent preservative. This is now considered an old-fashioned treatment. Newer treatments are said to be more effective, but they have been tested over less time. Further information can be obtained from the USDA's Forest Products Lab in Madison, Wisconsin (www.fpl.fs.fed.us). This facility also has listings of woods that tolerate weathering well and thus are appropriate for use in replication. Planning Conservation should follow completion of a comprehensive preservation plan for each site. A comprehensive plan addresses not only conservation issues, but others, such as landscaping, as well. In this way, the treatment of one element does not affect another Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin I , adversely. For example, some landscaping efforts (such as the planting of a groundcover) might be undone by the later conservation treatment of a marker in the same area. A better choice in this case is to undertake the conservation first and then the landscaping. Each site is different, and such choices are made on a case-by-case basis. When a full plan is not possible, the bare minimum in planning is to develop a conservation plan for each site. Graveyard conservation/preservation professionals are skilled and knowledgeable in the processes and techniques required to undertake sometimes difficult conservation efforts. No two markers are alike, and even relatively simple processes such as resetting can present unforeseen problems. Demonstration riots Demonstration plots for conservation are undertaken to illustrate what can be done at a given site. They are useful to potential bidders on the project, who then have a visual standard to follow as well as written specifications outlined in the bid document. They are helpful to townspeople and would-be contributors to see what can be done for a site and how it could be improved with completion of the entire project. The demonstration plot is treated professionally in the best possible manner. It will set a standard for other work at the site. Additional brickwork, for example, will be of an equivalent quality and workmanship. It will be close in appearance and technique. Stonework will likewise be of similar quality and appearance. A demonstration plot makes it relatively easy for potential craftsmen/conservation technicians to see the quality that is expected. When they know what is expected of them, they can develop an appropriate bid or, in some cases, decide whether or not it is appropriate for them to bid on the project. Likewise, demonstration plots are illustrative to citizens who are interested in the burial grounds. In seeing one area of a burial ground improved, they can more easily envision the entire project completed. This can be useful for both grants requests and for other fundraising efforts. In most cases, demonstration plots refer to conservation. However, such a technique might also be useful in reclaiming areas lost to overgrown vegetation. Since many people comprehend complex information best when it is presented visually, these plots (or larger areas) help everyone involved to understand the scope and intent of the project. They are also useful in planning for implementation of larger conservation goals. If the cost of the conservation plot is, say, five thousand dollars, the cost of the rest of the (similar) work at the site can be extrapolated. Probing At some locations, footstones may give evidence to the location of missing headstones. Likewise, headstones may suggest missing footstones. And standing fragments may suggest the possibility of the missing stone fragment buried just below the ground. Stone Paces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin Even fragments lying flat on the ground might lie near the bottom half of a tablet just covered by sod. A simple probing technique can be used to fmd any of these missing markers. Typically, an iron T-shaped bar, about a half inch in diameter and thirty to thirty-six inches long, is carefully inserted into the ground in a location thought promising to produce a missing stone element. Probes can be constructed from iron rod. Since modem, active cemeteries often use probes to identify open grave spaces, they might be a source for obtaining a manufactured version of a probe. When probing, probe about six feet from a headstone to look for a possibly buried footstone, or six feet from an extant footstone to look for part of a buried headstone. For children's graves, probe at 4 feet. Marker fragments are usually only a few inches under the soil, often having broken and fallen, only to be covered over by dirt and, eventually, sod. Tablet stones lying flat have often broken off from their below-grade counterparts. Often they remain very near this parent fragment. As part of a conservation program, many can be rejoined to their original below-grade portion. In many cases, probing is an effective way to reclaim markers. However, it should not be undertaken except as part of a larger conservation program. To unearth covered fragments but not be able to rejoin or reset them at the same time is to invite further loss or even theft. Cleaning Stone cleaning is a big part of many burial ground conservation efforts. While cleaning to remove lichens or mosses that are hastening deterioration of stone is appropriate, cleaning for its own sake often is not. Any cleaning effort removes some grains of stone surface, which in itself hastens deterioration. Harsh cleaning can introduce chemicals or remove a stone's natural protective patina, gained over the years, leaving a new, raw surface. Additionally, cleaning can use a considerable amount of a conservation/preservation budget. It is often sufficient to learn to accept that old stones will simply look like old stones. If cleaning is necessary as part of other conservation efforts, or if there are other good reasons for cleaning, the gentlest means possible is desired. Only stones that are stable should be considered for cleaning. In many cases, a simple water wash with pressure no greater than from a garden hose (without a nozzle) is sufficient. The hose should have a filter to protect from salts (or other impurities) which are part of many towns' water softening efforts. A soft-bristled brush, such as Tampico, can be used on stable markers. 5tone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 • While there are cleaning agents that can be useful in cleaning efforts, their efficacy is dependent upon choosing the correct agent for a given cleaning problem. These choices are best left to the conservator in charge. I Do not use household bleach, common household cleaning agents, sandblasting, pressure washing with water, harsh, or unknown chemical combinations in cleaning markers. If in doubt, leave the cleaning to conservators. I • I p A I I p F p F F f F F p p p e p p p p p 5tone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 I APPENDIX H •► RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS POR THE SEVERAL SITES, PRIORITIZED Following is a listing of work required at each of the burial grounds visited. This listing is a brief summary of the work outlined above, offered for easy reference. The development of a preservation plan is the first step, in order to assure that work is done, carefully, appropriately, and efficiently. Work undertaken without a plan can result in the wrong technique used or work incorrectly done. Likelihood of damage to markers and the site overall is increased. In addition, work that is done out of sequence can lead to costly re-doing some work or inefficient use of time and resources. Lack of a plan can also eliminate the participation of possible grant sources. Establishing boundaries can indeed be a complex undertaking.Nevertheless, it is so basic to any site and its preservation that a complete plan can hardly be developed without having firmly established boundaries. Thus, boundary definition can take place prior to plan development at these sites. These sites have several considerations that are quite straightforward, basic, and that can likely be done safely prior to full development of a plan. In sites that are overgrown or contain poison ivy,this removal is a first consideration. In clearing overgrown areas, great care is required in, first, identifying and protecting any markers obscured by plant debris or trash, and, second, in preserving and protecting any desirable planted elements. Careful supervision by a qualified professional is required. Once this preliminary landscaping work (in most cases) is completed, development of a plan is clearly in order before undertaking the complex work of conservation and further landscaping or other considerations. • by Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces, Mineral joint,Wisconsin tif Kichbell Remove poison ivy. Establish boundaries. Clear overgrowth to back of burial ground: remove weeds and woody debris; retain ivy. Trim vegetation near Founder's plaque. Undertake emergency conservation(treat two cut markers). Develop plan. Map and photograph site. Develop documentation. Research appropriate fence/wall; install/build. Consider benches near Founder's plaque. Quaker-barker Remove poison ivy. Clear overgrowth, clean out and trim hedges, remove limbs and plant and manmade debris. Undertake emergency conservation. ip Encourage vinca, other perennials. w Develop plan. Ica Map and photograph site. Develop documentation. IP Determine boundaries. Undertake marker conservation, especially family vault conservation. ta Repair walls. IP Delance9 Remove poison ivy and oak. Remove limb debris, overgrowth at back of site. Identify markers for immediate treatment. Undertake emergency conservation. Identify and protect intentional plantings such as trumpet vine, ivy. Develop plan. be Map and photograph site. Develop documentation. Undertake marker conservation. tag Research original boundaries; survey; GPR; determine if rock rubble was original perimeter wall; rebuild. IPI 1g• Stone Paces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin Qld Town Remove poison ivy. Remove large brush pile at back of site. Remove overgrowth; leave sapling trees to provide screen from building behind. Undertake emergency conservation. Protect and encourage vinca throughout the site. Also protect other plantings such as yucca, cedar, others Develop plan. Map and photograph site. Develop documentation. Develop attractive landscape area in yucca area now overgrown. Install fence near back of site for safety near drop-off. Undertake marker conservation. Palmer Remove poison oak, ivy, sumac Remove dead trees, stumps, limb, limb trash. Remove debris. Undertake urgent conservation. Trim overgrown shrubs in front. Replace missing fence section. Develop plan. Map and photograph site. Develop documentation. Repair wall. Protect bulbs, other plantings. Undertake conservation. Consider sign,handrail. rlorence/Powell Remove poison ivy, oak. Undertake emergency conservation. Clear to the east of the site to its edge (near shed); remove vegetation, trash. Look for plantings, markers. Clear overgrowth to walls on all sides. Remove dead trees. Preserve, protect extensive planted vegetation, including vinca, hostas, Solomon's seal, and others. Develop plan. Survey, map and photograph site. Develop documentation. Undertake conservation, including section of cast-iron fence. Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin r Geciney Clear plant overgrowth to wall by stream at rear of site. Also remove large downed tree. Note any markers or intentional plantings here; then plant vinca here for minimal maintenance. Undertake emergency conservation. Survey, map and photograph site. Develop plan. Develop documentation. Identify markers for conservation. Undertake conservation of wood posts, sandstones, and others, including perimeter wall. Disbrow Remove dead tree. Undertake urgent conservation. Repair wall. Develop plan. Survey, map, and photograph site. Develop documentation. Undertake conservation. Stone Faces and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin I t I 0 0 1 1 I 1 APPENDIX III I► ► SAMPLE MARKER INVENTORY I=ORM ► ► Stone races and Sacred Spaces,Mineral Point,Wisconsin 1 Name of Burial Ground Recorder Contact Person Date INDIVIDUAL MARKER INVENTORY FORM Name/Death Date Marker No./ID Dimensions High x Wide x Thick Photo Number Marker Style Condition ❑ tablet❑ ❑ tablet on base ❑ footstone ❑ sound ❑• cracked ❑ eroded ❑ obelisk ❑ box tomb ❑ table tomb ❑ sound,out of ground ❑ sunken/tilted ❑ barrel vault ❑ family vault ❑ statuary ❑ broken, pieces ❑lettering illegible ❑ cradle ❑ mausoleum ❑ plaque ❑ stained ❑ delaminated ❑ sugaring ❑ grave goods ❑ grave depression ❑ modern flat/slant ❑ voids/losses ❑unsound footing ❑ other ❑ other Material Severity of condition(least)1 2 3 4 5(most) ❑ marble ❑ dolomite Comments: ❑ brownstone ❑ granite ❑ sandstone ❑ fieldstone Causes ❑ limestone ❑ pottery ❑ weathering ❑ settling ❑ slate ❑ white bronze ❑ vandalism ❑vegetation ❑ brick ❑ grave goods ❑ graffiti ❑ other ❑ stucco ❑ wood ❑ iron ❑ other Previous Repair ❑ pins ❑ adhesive ❑ cement ❑ mortar ❑ stucco ❑ rebuilt Motifs ❑ iron braces ❑ coatings • other ❑ death's head ❑ rustic design ❑ portrait ❑ fraternal Enclosure Style ❑ soul effigy ❑ pointing to heaven ❑ brick/stucco/stone wall ❑ urn&willow ❑ clasped hands ❑ brick/stucco/concrete/stone coping ❑ open book ❑ angel ❑ iron/wood fence ❑ vegetation ❑ floral ❑ cross ❑ none ❑ dove ❑ other ❑ other Maker's Signature Inscription ❑ incised ❑ raised ❑ painted ❑other Copy complete inscription exactly as Vegetation found,here,or on back of form ❑ trees ❑ shrubs ❑ bulbs ❑ perennials ❑ groundcovers ❑ none Stone races and Sacred Spaces, Mineral Point,Wisconsin • • j A f' 4 I I I 4 b