Published: May 03, 2008 06:05 pm         

Gravestone restoration workshop set

Hixon Cemetery Association Ltd. will offer a one-day workshop on the restoration of gravestones on June 7 in the Parke County Learning Center at Rockville and at the Hixon Cemetery in Wabash Township, Parke County, about 2 miles east of Mecca.

The workshop will consist of a short classroom session and actual field work completing basic gravestone cleaning and restoration techniques.

Topics from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include:

• Overview of Indiana laws pertaining to cemeteries

• Researching and locating cemeteries

• Photographing and transcribing gravestones

• Overview and supervised field practice of gravestone cleaning, resetting and repair techniques

• Demonstrations of a tripod lift used in restoring large gravestones; repair of broken gravestones and casting a new slotted base for gravestones

Workshop instructor will be Jessica Felix of Roachdale. She has been restoring cemeteries for five years and has organized and led many school, youth and community restoration projects. She has led the restoration of seven cemeteries in Hendricks County.

Felix received her undergraduate degree in art education and fine arts from Purdue University and a master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University. She also is a secondary school teacher.

Workshop enrollment will be limited to 25 participants. Each is expected to participate in both the classroom and field portions of the program. More details on the workshop agenda will be provided at the time of registration.

Registration fees are $15/person for Hixon Association members and $20/person for non-members.

To register, send your name, address, phone number and registration fee to Hixon Cemetery Association Ltd., Box 525, Montezuma, IN 47862. Make checks payable to the Hixon Cemetery Association. Registration deadline is May 30.

For other details, write to the Hixon Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 525, Montezuma, IN 47862; e-mail mblewman@yahoo.com; or call (765) 569-5935.