PAST EVENTS
September 29, 2018
Fall meeting at Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, Hartsdale, NY
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The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is pleased to announce its fall meeting, to be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Hartsdale, NY (in Westchester County). Talks will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and the walking tour will be held at Hartsdale Pet Cemetery.
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PROGRAM
10:00 to 10:45 a.m.: Check-in; coffee and refreshments
10:45 to 11:15 a.m.:
Gravestone Letterform Primer: A Comparative Study of Incised Letterforms and Typography
Lynne Baggett, Professor of Graphic Design, Louisiana State University (School of Art)
11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.:
Why White Marble Gravestones Don't Stay White
Judy Jacob, Senior Conservator, National Park Service, Northeast Regional Office
11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.:
The Struggle is Real: Writing National Register Nominations for Cemeteries
Marena Wisniewski, State Register Coordinator, Environmental Reviewer, State Historic Preservation Office, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
12:15 to 1:00 p.m.: Break for lunch and group photo; bring your own lunch
1:00 to 1:45 p.m.:
Hartsdale Pet Cemetery: A Short History of Animal Love and Remembrance
Mary Thurston, Hartsdale Pet Cemetery Historian
1:45 to 2:15 p.m.:
Exhibiting Among the Dead: Contemporary Art in Cemeteries
Allison C. Meier, history and culture writer
2:15 to 2:30 p.m.: Break; walk to cemetery
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Cemetery walking tour led by Mary Thurston, Hartsdale Pet Cemetery Historian ($10 suggested donation to help cover meeting costs, payable at check-in by cash or check).
Hartsdale Pet Cemetery closes at 4:30 p.m. Attendees are welcome to explore the cemetery until that time.
RSVP:
Spaces are very limited and RSVPs are required. Register on Eventbrite HERE or by email to evabowerman25@gmail.com.
Suggested Donation:
Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for members of AGS, seniors and students) to help cover meeting costs and support the chapter. Donations (payable by cash or check) will be collected at the event.
Locations, Directions and Parking:
The talks will take place at St. Andrew's Church, 104 North Washington Avenue, Hartsdale, NY 10530.* The walking tour will take place at Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, 100 North Washington Avenue, Hartsdale, NY 10530. The cemetery entrance is a 2-minute walk from the church. Free parking is available at the church.
Hartsdale is easily accessible from NYC by car (less than 1-hour drive) or train (less than 1-hour trip from Grand Central on Metro-North). The church is near the train station but not safely accessible on foot; if no taxis are available at the station call Greenburgh Taxi at 914-592-4949.
* Please note that the postal address for the church (used by Google maps) is 101 North Central Avenue, but the church is not accessible from that street address. Make sure to use the 104 North Washington Avenue address instead.
Refreshments:
Coffee will be provided throughout the meeting, and refreshments will be available at check-in. Please bring your own lunch; lunch will NOT be provided.
Organizers:
The meeting is organized by Eva Bowerman, Chapter Chair of the NY Chapter of AGS, with assistance from Mary Thurston, Hartsdale Pet Cemetery Historian. For questions please contact evabowerman25@gmail.com.
Further Information about Hartsdale Pet Cemetery:
Located in Westchester County, Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is the oldest continuously operated animal cemetery in the world, and the only one to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery was established in 1896 and covers 4 acres. It is also a Certified National Wildlife Habitat.
For more information about Hartsdale Pet Cemetery see https://petcem.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/HartsdalePetCemetery/
May 5, 2018
Conservation Workshop, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY
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The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) and Green-Wood Cemetery invite you to a hands-on cemetery conservation workshop at Green-Wood Cemetery on May 5, 2018 from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The workshop will be led by Neela K. Wickremesinghe, Manager of Restoration and Preservation at Green-Wood. Spaces are very limited and registration is required. See below for the program and further information.
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PROGRAM:
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8:15 to 9:00 a.m.: Check-in and coffee
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9:00 to 10:00 a.m.: Cleaning
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Attendees will learn proper cleaning techniques of historic monuments comprised of marble, granite, and brownstone. Green-Wood’s restoration team will demonstrate the use of their steam-cleaning machine on one larger monument.
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10:00 to 11:00 a.m.: Resetting
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The Green-Wood restoration team will show attendees how to correctly reset larger headstones with a tripod, as well as other hand-resetting techniques.
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11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Restoration
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Attendees will see a tutorial on two different types of common cemetery repairs, those for broken headstones and broken vases. There will also be a small hands-on tutorial on on-site mold making for casting missing sculptural ornament on monuments.
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Registration:
Spaces are very limited and RSVPs are required. The fee for the event is $30 for the general public; $25 for members of AGS or Green-Wood. Register on Eventbrite HERE.
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Details:
Please wear sturdy shoes. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be available during check-in, and bottled water will be provided during the workshop.
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Organizers:
The meeting is organized by Eva Bowerman, Chair of the New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies and Neela K. Wickremesinghe, Manager of Restoration and Preservation at Green-Wood. For questions please contact evabowerman25@gmail.com.
October 21, 2017
Fall Meeting at Prospect Cemetery, Queens, NY
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is pleased to announce its fall meeting, to be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The event will take place at Prospect Cemetery in Queens, NY from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The meeting will include a morning session, held at the historic Chapel of the Sisters, featuring talks on a variety of topics related to cemeteries and gravestone studies. In the afternoon there will be a tour of the cemetery led by Cate Ludlam, President of Prospect Cemetery Association.
See below for the program and further information about the meeting. Please forward this announcement to colleagues and other interested parties.
PROGRAM
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8:30 to 9:15 a.m.: Check-in and coffee
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9:15 to 9:30 a.m.: Welcome and Introduction to the Association for Gravestone Studies and the New York Chapter
Eva Bowerman, Chair, New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies; Trustee, AGS
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9:30 to 10:00 a.m.: Restoration of The Chapel of the Sisters at Prospect Cemetery
Daniel Allen, Principal, CTA Architects P.C.
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10:00 to 10:30 a.m.: Joy in the Morning: A Tale of Prospect's Progress
Cate Ludlam, President, Prospect Cemetery Association
10:30 to 11:00 a.m.: Break for Refreshments & Group Photo
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11:00 to 11:30 a.m.: Jewelry for Mourning and Remembrance
Elizabeth Broman, Reference Librarian, Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Made From My Own Hand: An Introduction to Concrete Folk Markers
Stephanie M. Hoagland, Principal, Jablonski Building Conservation, Inc.
12:00 to 1.00 p.m.: Lunch break (pizza will be provided courtesy of Joseph Ferrannini of Grave Stone Matters, Hoosick Falls, NY)
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.: Cemetery walking tour led by Cate Ludlam, President, Prospect Cemetery Association (suggested donation, payable at check-in by cash or check, to benefit the Prospect Cemetery Association).
RSVP: Spaces are limited and RSVPs are required. Register through Eventbrite HERE or by email to evabowerman25@gmail.com.
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Suggested Donation: Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for members of AGS, seniors and students); (payable by cash or check) to help cover meeting costs and support the Chapter. Donations will be collected at the event.
Location, Directions, and Parking: The event will take place at Prospect Cemetery at York College Campus, Jamaica, Queens. The cemetery is located at 159th street between Beaver Road and Liberty Avenue. For directions see www.prospectcemeteryassociation.org/Directions.htm.
Free parking for the conference is located within the York College campus on the east side of Guy R. Brewer Blvd. between Archer Avenue and Liberty Avenue. Pull up to the gate just south of the LIRR overpass and identify yourself to the York Public Safety Officer. Walk west from the parking lot across Guy R. Brewer and through the Core Building. Cross 160th Street and walk through the Classroom Building or the outdoor Cardinal Walkway which brings you to the 159th Street pedestrian walkway and the Chapel of the Sisters at Prospect Cemetery. Please see the attachment for a map indicating available parking.
Refreshments: Coffee will be provided throughout the morning, and light refreshments will be available at check-in and during the morning break. Pizza will be provided for lunch courtesy of Joseph Ferrannini of Grave Stone Matters, Hoosick Falls, NY.
Organizers: The meeting is organized by Eva Bowerman, Chapter Chair of the NY Chapter of AGS with assistance from NY AGS committee members Linsly Boyer, Marena Wisniewski, Kelly Ruffel, Sarah Tietje, Brooke Young Russell and Joseph Ferrannini. For questions please contact evabowerman25@gmail.com.
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Further Information about Prospect Cemetery: Prospect Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Queens County, NY, and one of the few Colonial cemeteries remaining in Queens. Located in the heart of Jamaica, it was the town burial ground and dates from at least 1668 when it is first mentioned in the town records. It is owned by the NYC Parks Department and overseen by the Prospect Cemetery Association, a not-for-profit comprised of descendants. There are 53 documented Revolutionary War soldiers at Prospect, as well as founding father Egbert Benson and the famous firebrand Reverend Keteltas. Many other prominent families such as the Van Wycks and Sutphins rest at Prospect. The lovely Chapel of the Sisters, dating from circa 1856, graces the property and serves as a music venue and meeting place. Prospect is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For more information about Prospect Cemetery Association see www.prospectcemeteryassociation.org or contact Cate Ludlam, President of the Prospect Cemetery Association, at catel@aol.com.
May 6, 2017
Spring Meeting at the Bedford Burying Grounds, Bedford, NY
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is pleased to announce its spring meeting. The event will take place on Saturday May 6, 2017, in Bedford, NY from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Talks on a variety of topics related to grave markers and cemeteries will be followed by a 30 minute walking tour of the Old Burying Ground adjacent to Historical Hall, led by Gray Williams, New Castle Town Historian, and Jenny Weisburger, President of the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds. Following the tour we will carpool to several burying grounds in Bedford.
The event is co-organized by the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds, and sponsored by the Bedford Historical Society.
PROGRAM
10:00 to 10:45 a.m.: Check-in; coffee and refreshments
10:45 to 11:00 a.m.: Welcome and Introduction to the New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies by Eva Bowerman, Chair, New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies; Trustee, AGS
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Introduction to the Association for Gravestone Studies by Dennis Montagna, Vice President, the Association for Gravestone Studies
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11:00 to 11:30 a.m.: The Restoration of "The Procession that Never Moves": The Wooldridge Monuments, Mayfield, KY by Martin Johnson, President, Monument Conservation Collaborative
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Native American Repatriation from Connecticut Cemetery by Bob Young, Former Superintendent, Wooster Cemetery, Danbury, CT
12:00 to 12:30 p.m.: A Burying Place for My Family Relations and Neighbors: The Family Cemeteries of Bedford by Patrick Raftery, Librarian, Westchester County Historical Society
12.30 to 1:30 p.m.: Lunch break (pizza will be provided courtesy of Joseph Ferrannini of Grave Stone Matters, Hoosick Falls, NY); group photo
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1:30 to 2:00 p.m.: A Designing President: FDR Marks His Gravesite by Dennis Montagna, Director, National Parks Services' Monument Research and Preservation Program; Vice President, AGS
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2:00 to 2:30 p.m.: Masters of the Soul Effigy, and Their Gravestones in Bedford by Gray Williams, New Castle Town Historian
2:30 to 2:45 p.m.: Forming a Friends Group: What's Worked in Bedford -- and What Hasn't by Jenny Weisburger, President, Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds
2:45 to 3:15 p.m.: Tour of the Old Burying Ground, adjacent to Historical Hall, led by Gray Williams, New Castle Town Historian, and Jenny Weisburger, President of the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds
3:15 to 5:00 p.m.: Visit to Lounsbury Family Burying Ground, Buxton Cemetery and Wescott Cemetery, accompanied by members of the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds
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RSVP: RSVPs are required. Register through Eventbrite HERE or by email to evabowerman25@gmail.com.
Suggested Donation: Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for members of AGS, Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds, or the Bedford Historical Society, seniors and students); (payable by cash or check) to help cover meeting costs and support the Chapter. Donations will be collected at the event.
Location, Directions, and Parking: The event will take place at Historical Hall, 608 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY, 10506.
For directions to Bedford Village see the website of the Bedford Historical Society (http://bedfordhistoricalsociety.org/maps.php) please note that Historical Hall is located on the other side of the Old Burying Ground from the Historical Society.
Free parking for the event will be available in the parking lot at St. Patrick's Church, 7 Pound Ridge Road, directly across from Historical Hall. There is also free parking in the lot behind the Bedford Presbyterian Church, 44 Village Green. Please note that parking spots in town are limited to 2 hours and monitored, so parking in town is not advisable.
Those arriving by public transportation can take the Metro-North Harlem Line to Bedford Hills. The trip from Grand Central Station takes about an hour, and Historical Hall is a 10-minute taxi ride from the train station.
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Cemetery Visit: Following the tour of the Old Burying Ground we will carpool to three cemeteries in Bedford. This will be an informal, self-guided visit, and members of the friends of Bedford Burying Grounds will accompany the group to point out monuments of interest and discuss their work at the sites.
Driving directions will be provided. If you will arrive at the meeting by public transportation and would like to be matched with a ride for the cemetery visits please email evabowerman25@gmail.com.
Refreshments: Coffee will be provided throughout the morning, and light refreshments will be available at check-in. Pizza will be provided for lunch courtesy of Joseph Ferrannini of Grave Stone Matters, Hoosick Falls, NY.
Organizers: The meeting is organized by Eva Bowerman, Chapter Chair of the NY Chapter of AGS and Jenny Weisburger, President of the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds with assistance from NY AGS committee members Kelly C. Ruffel, Sarah Tietje, Brooke Young and Linsly Boyer.The meeting is sponsored by the Bedford Historical Society. For questions please contact evabowerman25@gmail.com.
November 6, 2016
Conservation Workshop, Bayside Cemetery,
Queens, NY
The Community Alliance for Jewish-Affiliated Cemeteries (CAJAC) and the New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) cordially invite you to attend a cemetery conservation workshop to be held at Bayside Cemetery in Ozone Park, Queens. This workshop will be held on Sunday, November 6th from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm and led by Architectural Conservator Joel Snodgrass with the assistance of volunteer Anthony Pisciotta. Opening remarks will be given by event organizers Jamie Cotel, Executive Director of CAJAC, and Eva Bowerman, Chair of the New York Chapter of AGS. The workshop will include hands-on sessions in conservation issues and techniques (including resetting monuments) and instruction in properly cleaning monuments as well as surveying, mapping and photographic documentation techniques. During the workshop Anthony Pisciotta will discuss the extensive conservation work he has done at Bayside Cemetery.
Spaces are limited and RSVPs are required. Register through Eventbrite HERE or by email to evabowerman25@gmail.com. The fee for the event is $25, which can be paid on Eventbrite (preferred method) or at the event by cash or check.
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PROGRAM
8:30 to 9:00 am: Check-in and coffee
9:00 to 9:30 am: Welcome and Introduction to the NY Chapter of AGS by Eva Bowerman, Chair, NY Chapter of AGS
Introduction to CAJAC and History of Bayside Cemetery by Jamie Cotel, Executive Director, CAJAC
9:30 to 9:45 am: Workshop Introduction by Joel Snodgrass, Principal, Steward Conservation Services LLC
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9:45 to 10:30 am: Field work session: cemetery documentation procedures (surveying, mapping, photography) (includes hands-on participation)
10:30 to 11:15 am: Field work session: monument cleaning techniques (includes hands-on participation)
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11:15 am to 11:30 am: Break. Coffee and refreshments will be provided.
11:30 am to 12:15 pm: Field work session: monument resetting methods (includes hands-on participation in resetting small to moderate sized markers)
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12:15 to 1:00 pm: Field work session: monument repair processes (includes hands-on participation).
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Location and Details: The meeting will take place at Bayside Cemetery, 80-35 Pitkin Avenue in Ozone Park, New York. Please wear sturdy shoes. Refreshments and water will be provided.
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Organizers and Supporters: The event is organized by Jamie Cotel, Executive Director of CAJAC, Eva Bowerman, Chapter Chair of the NY Chapter of AGS and Architectural Conservator Joel Snodgrass, with the assistance of Dennis Montagna. For questions about the event please contact jcotel@cajac.us or evabowerman25@gmail.com. The event is made possible through the support of CAJAC, funded by UJA Federation of New York, a private donation to the New York Chapter of AGS, and the support of Ted Kinnari through his donation of supplies.
Further Information: To learn more about CAJAC’s work, see www.cajac.us or www.facebook.com/cajac.
September 24, 2016
Fall Meeting at Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, NY
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is pleased to announce its fall meeting. The event will take place on September 24, 2016, at Moravian Cemetery on Staten Island from 9:15 am to 2:30 pm. Talks on a variety of topics related to grave markers and cemeteries will be followed by a 45 minute walking tour of the cemetery, led by Richard Simpson, Moravian Cemetery Historian and Tour Guide. Please RSVP HERE as soon as possible if you would like to attend.
PROGRAM
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9:15 to 10:00 am: Check-in; coffee and refreshments
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10:00 to 10:15 am: Welcome and Introduction to the New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies by
Eva Bowerman, Chair, New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies; Trustee, AGS (Fundraising Committee Chair)
Introduction to the Association for Gravestone Studies by Mark Nonestied, President, the Association for Gravestone Studies
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10:15 to 10:45 am: A Test of Time: 26 Years of Pinning and Grouting Treatments by Mary Jablonski, Senior Conservator and Principal, Jablonski Building Conservation; Adjunct Associate Professor, Columbia University
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10:45 to 11:15 am: We Are Enthusiastic About Cemetery History, How About You? by Patricia M. Salmon, Retired Curator of History, Staten Island Museum
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11:15 to 11:45 am: A Memory Revisited: The First Prison Ship Martyrs Monument at Brooklyn Navy Yard by Brooke Young, Architectural Conservator, EverGreene Architectural Arts and R. Mark Adams, Inc.
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11:45 am to 12.45 pm: Lunch break (please bring your own lunch); group photo
12:45 to 1:15 pm: White Bronze Grave Markers, Staten Island, NY by Richard L. Simpson, Historian and Tour Guide, Moravian Cemetery
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1:15 to 1:45 pm: Body as Monument: The Presence and Absence of Agostino Bertani by Dr. Caterina Y. Pierre, Professor of Art History at the City University of New York at Kingsborough Community College
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1:45 to 2:30 pm: Cemetery walking tour led by Richard Simpson (the tour costs $5). Maps will be provided for those taking a self-guided visit instead of or after the tour.
Moravian Cemetery closes at 5:30 pm and attendees are welcome to explore the grounds until that time.
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The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is pleased to announce its spring meeting. The event will take place on May 21, 2016 at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, NY, from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm. In the afternoon a walking tour of the cemetery will be offered, led by Toni Craft, President of The Friends of Oakwood Cemetery. Please RSVP HERE as soon as possible if you would like to attend.
PROGRAM
8:30 to 9:15 am: Check-in and coffee
9:15 to 9:30 am: Welcome and Introduction to the Association for Gravestone Studies and the New York Chapter by Eva Bowerman, Chair, New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies; Trustee, AGS (Fundraising Committee Chair)
9:30 to 10:00 am: The Spectrum of Cemetery Regulation by Chet Butkiewicz, Assistant Director, Division of Cemeteries -- NYS Department of State
10:00 to 10:30 am: Conservation Dilemmas by Irving Slavid, President, Monument Conservation Collaborative; President, MCC Materials
10:30 to 11:00 am: Break for Refreshments & Group Photo
11:00 to 11:30 am: The History of AGS and the AGS Archives by Jenny Swadosh, Trustee, AGS (Archives Committee Chair)
11:30 am to 12:00 pm: The Murder Stone of Berlin, New York: A Story of a Beautiful Young Woman, a Smitten Local Man; Love,
Courtship, Marriage and Murder by Sarah Tietje, Academic Counselor, Cazenovia College; Secretary, New York Chapter of AGS
12:00 to 12:15 pm: Oakwood Cemetery History by Toni Craft, President of The Friends of Oakwood Cemetery; Trustee, The Troy Cemetery Association
12:15 to 1:15 pm: Lunch break (pizza will be provided courtesy of Joseph Ferrannini of Grave Stone Matters, Hoosick Falls, NY)
1:15 to 2:45 pm: Cemetery walking tour led by Toni Craft, President of The Friends of Oakwood Cemetery (the tour costs $10, with proceeds to benefit The Friends of Oakwood Cemetery, payable at check-in by cash or check). Maps will be provided for those who prefer a self-guided visit.
Oakwood closes at 7:00 pm and attendees are welcome to explore the cemetery until that time.
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RSVP: RSVPs are required. Register through Eventbrite HERE or RSVP by email to evabowerman25@gmail.com.
Suggested Donation: Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for AGS members, seniors and students; payable by cash or check) to help cover meeting costs and support the Chapter. Donations will be collected at the event.
Location: The event will take place at the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel, Oakwood Cemetery, 186 Oakwood Avenue, Troy, NY 12182. Please note: Oakwood Cemetery's official address is 50 101st Street, Troy, NY 12180, but for getting here please use the 186 Oakwood Avenue address. For directions click here.
Refreshments: Coffee and tea will be provided throughout the morning, and refreshments will be provided during the break. Pizza will be provided for lunch courtesy of Joseph Ferrannini of Grave Stone Matters, Hoosick Falls, NY.
Organizers: The meeting is organized by Eva Bowerman, Chapter Chair of the NY Chapter of AGS, with assistance from Joseph Ferrannini and Sarah Tietje. For questions about the event please contact evabowerman25@gmail.com.
May 21, 2016
Spring Meeting at Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, NY
October 17, 2015
Fall Meeting at Maple Grove Cemetery, Queens, NY
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is pleased to announce its fall meeting, to be held on October 17, 2015. The event will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kew Gardens, Queens, NYC, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
The meeting will include talks on a variety of topics related to cemeteries and gravestone studies. In the afternoon a walking tour of the cemetery will be offered. The tour will be led by Carl Ballenas, Maple Grove Cemetery Historian and President of Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery.
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is pleased to announce its fall meeting. The event will take place on October 17, 2015 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
See below for the program and further information about the meeting. Please forward this announcement to colleagues and other interested parties.
PROGRAM
8:30 to 9:15 am: Check-in and coffee
9:15 to 9:30 am: Welcome and Introduction to the Association for Gravestone Studies and the New York Chapter by Eva Bowerman, Chair, New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies
9:30 to 10:00 am: Nineteenth-Century Marble Headstones Are Really About the Hands by Anne Tait, Associate Professor of Art, School of Architecture, Art & Historic Preservation, Roger Williams University
10:00 to 10:30 am: Now We Know: Lessons Learned at Prospect Cemetery by Stephanie M. Hoagland, Principal and Architectural Conservator, Jablonski Building Conservation Inc.
10:30 to 11:00 am: Break for refreshments and group photo
11:00 to 11:30 am: The Traveling Cloud Museum by Melinda Hunt, Founding Director, The Hart Island Project
11:30 am to 12:00 pm: ‘Who owns the Stones?’ and Other Questions Posed to the New York State Division of Cemeteries by Kerry McGovern, Investigator, New York Department of State, Division of Cemeteries
12:00 to 1:00 pm: Lunch break (pizza will be provided courtesy of Joseph Ferrannini of Grave Stone Matters, Hoosick Falls, NY)
1:00 to 1:30 pm: Shrouds Then and Now: An Intimate History of Winding Sheets and Burial Garments by Amy Cunningham, Funeral Director
1:30 to 2:00 pm: Maple Grove Cemetery: Reaching a New Audience by Carl Ballenas, Maple Grove Historian and President of Friends of Maple Grove
2:00 to 4:00 pm: Cemetery walking tour led by Carl Ballenas, Maple Grove Historian and President of Friends of Maple Grove (donations for the tour will be collected at the event, with proceeds to benefit Friends of Maple Grove) or self-guided visit (maps will be provided)
Maple Grove Cemetery closes at 5:00 pm. Attendees are welcome to explore the grounds until that time.
RSVP: Spaces are limited and RSVPs are required. Register through Eventbrite HERE or RSVP by email to evabowerman25@gmail.com. Please indicate on Eventbrite (or via email) whether you plan to take the tour.
Suggested Donation: Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for AGS members, seniors and students) to help cover meeting costs and support the chapter. Donations will be collected at the event. Donations for the tour will be collected separately and proceeds will benefit Friends of Maple Grove.
Location: The meeting will take place at The Center at Maple Grove Cemetery at 127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, New York 11415. Please see www.maplegrove.biz/Directions.htm or www.friendsofmaplegrove.org for directions to the cemetery.
Refreshments: Coffee and tea will be provided throughout the morning, and refreshments will be provided during the break. Pizza will be provided for lunch courtesy of Joseph Ferrannini of Grave Stone Matters, Hoosick Falls, NY.
Organizer: The meeting is organized by Eva Bowerman, Chapter Chair of the NY Chapter of AGS, with the assistance of committee members Linsly Boyer, Brooke Young, Kelly Ruffel and Sarah Tietje. For questions about the event please contact evabowerman25@gmail.com.
May 16, 2015
Walking tour: "Preserving Colonial Era Gravestones in Southampton: New York State's First English Settlement," Long Island, NY
On Saturday May 16, 2015 we will hold a walking tour of several burying grounds in Southampton, Long Island, entitled "Preserving Colonial Era Gravestones in Southampton: New York State's First English Settlement." The tour will be led by Southampton Town Historian Zachary Studenroth and Architectural Conservator Joel Snodgrass, Principal, Steward Preservation Services. We will visit three burying grounds in Southampton between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, with the opportunity to informally visit several more burying grounds nearby after the event.
Schedule
10:45 to 11:00 am: Check-in
11:00 am to 12:00 pm: Old Southampton Burying Ground, 205 Little Plains Road., Southampton, NY 11968. This is the original town burying ground, with headstones dating from the 1680s; several are 'heraldic' in style.
12:00 to 1:00 pm: Break for lunch in downtown Southampton (we will drive here from Old Southampton Burying Ground).
1:00 to 2:00 pm: North End Burying Ground, 165 Main Street, Southampton, NY 11968 (within walking distance of downtown). This is the second burying ground of the original settlement; the oldest burial is from 1712. It contains many examples of Connecticut decorative carving.
2:00 to 3:00 pm: North Sea Burying Ground, 16 Millstone Brook Road, North Sea, NY 11968 (3.5 miles away). This is one of ten town-owned burying grounds. It was restored by a stewardship agreement between the town and Southampton Historical Society, and contains gravestones from the late 18th through the late 19th century as well as Victorian ironwork.
After the walking tour we will drive west to informally visit several other burying grounds near the highway, including Quoque Cemetery, 58 Lamb Avenue, Quogue, NY 11959, which is an active cemetery with significant 18th century gravestones. We will also visit the Rev. Paul Cufee Gravesite, N side of Montauk HWY opposite 216 Montauk HWY, Hampton Bays,11946. This gravesite is a town-owned memorial to a Shinnecock Indian preacher, erected by the NY Missionary Society ca. 1820. We may visit other burial grounds along the highway according to time and the interests of the group.
RSVP: Spaces are limited and RSVPs are required. Register through Eventbrite HERE. For questions please email evabowerman25@gmail.com.
Suggested Donation: Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for AGS members, seniors and students) to help cover event costs and support the Chapter. Donations will be collected at the event.
Location: The tour will start at Old Southampton Burying Ground, 205 Little Plains Road, Southampton, NY 11968. Parking is available along Post Road, which runs perpendicular to Little Plains Road.
April 18, 2015
Spring meeting at Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY
The spring meeting of the New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies will take place on April 18, 2015 at Historic St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands (near Albany) from 8:45 am to 4:15 pm. Morning talks will be followed by a visit to the grounds of Historic St. Agnes Cemetery and the adjacent Albany Rural Cemetery, accompanied by Kelly Grimaldi, Historian, Albany Diocesan Cemeteries, and Joseph Ferrannini, Conservator, Grave Stone Matters.
Spaces are extremely limited and RSVPs are required. You do not need to bring your printed Eventbrite ticket to the event.
Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for AGS members, seniors and students) to help cover meeting costs and support the Chapter. Donations will be collected at the event.
Location: The meeting will take place at the visitors center of Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Avenue, Menands, NY 12204, located off I-787, just north of Albany. We will also visit the grounds of Historic St. Agnes Cemetery and Albany Rural Cemetery. Parking is available at Historic St. Agnes Cemetery. For those arriving by train, the nearest Amtrak station is Albany-Rensselaer. Carpooling from NYC may be an option -- please email evabowerman25@gmail.com if you will be driving and can take passengers, or are interested in finding a ride.
Cemetery Visit: Following the morning program there will be the opportunity to visit Historic St. Agnes Cemetery and the adjacent Albany Rural Cemetery. Kelly Grimaldi, Historian, Albany Diocesan Cemeteries, and Joseph Ferrannini, Conservator, Grave Stone Matters, will accompany attendees who wish to visit the grounds of the cemeteries together. Please note that the group leaders will point out monuments of interest, but this will be an informal, self-guided visit rather than an official tour. Maps and handouts of notable monuments will be available.
Refreshments: Coffee and tea will be provided throughout the morning, and refreshments will be provided during the break. Pizza will be provided for lunch.
February 27, 2015
Tour of Roman Funerary Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
You are invited to an exclusive guided tour of Roman Funerary Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art arranged by the New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies. This is a repeat of last year's sold-out tour, this time led by by Dr. Christopher S. Lightfoot, Curator, Department of Greek and Roman Art. Please join us for this rare opportunity to learn about funerary objects in the collection. Dr. Lightfoot will also discuss his exhibition "Ennion: Master of Roman Glass."
The tour, which will take approximately one hour, will take place on Friday February 27, 2015, at 6 pm. Please arrive at 5.45 for check-in. We will meet in the Great Hall at the 82nd Street Main Entrance in front of the Group Desk.
Tickets are $20 per adult, $13.50 per Senior (65 and older), and $9 per student. All proceeds benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The ticket price includes admission to the museum (open until 9 pm) following the tour.
Spaces are limited and we strongly encourage purchasing your tickets in advance on Eventbrite. You can also RSVP to evabowerman25@gmail.com to hold your space; make sure to arrive at the event early to pay for your ticket (cash only).
November 8, 2014
Fall Meeting at the Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies is pleased to announce its fall meeting. The event will take place on November 8, 2014 at the Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
To RSVP: Spaces are limited and RSVPs are required. RSVP by November 2 to evabowerman25@gmail.com and please indicate whether you plan to take the cemetery tour.
Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for AGS members, seniors and students) to help cover meeting costs and support the Chapter. Donations will be collected at the event.
The event will take place at the Evergreens Cemetery, 1629 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11207.
For directions please see www.theevergreenscemetery.com/about-us/directions/. The Evergreens can be reached by subway, bus or car. Parking is available at the cemetery.
Coffee and tea will be provided throughout the morning, and refreshments will be provided during the break. Pizza will be provided for lunch courtesy of the Evergreens Cemetery and The Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation.
T-shirts for the Evergreens meeting can be purchased by pre-order ONLY for $18 (payable by cash or check) and can be picked up at the event. See the below for the T-shirt design. Color and design may vary slightly from those pictured. Shirts are available in sizes ys (6-8), ym (10-12), yl (14-16), and small through xxxl. Shirts can be mailed to those who are not planning to attend the meeting, payable by check (please inquire about shipping costs). Proceeds will help support this and future events of the NY Chapter of AGS. Please send pre-orders indicating desired size and number of T-shirts to evabowerman25@gmail.com by October 18th.
May 10, 2014
Spring Meeting at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, NY
The spring meeting of the New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies will be held on May 10, 2014. The event will take place at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Westchester, from 9 am to 5 pm.
The meeting will include talks on funerary history and green burials, conservation, archaeology, public programming, the deceased of Sleepy Hollow, and 19th century funerary sculpture. In the afternoon a tour of the cemetery will be offered, led by Jim Logan, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Historian, or Christina Orban-La Salle, Director, Programs, Tours and Visitor Services at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
RSVP: Spaces are limited and RSVPs are required. RSVP to evabowerman25@gmail.com and please also indicate whether you plan to take the cemetery tour.
Suggested Donation: Suggested donation for attendance is $10 per person ($5 for AGS members, seniors and students) to help cover meeting costs and support the Chapter.
Location: The event will take place in the Chapel and on the grounds of Sleepy HollowCemetery, 540 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY. For directions please see www.visitsleepyhollow.com. Sleepy Hollow is easily accessible from New York City on Metro North. Express Service between Tarrytown station and Grand Central Terminal is about 35 minutes. Sleepy HollowCemetery is a few minutes from the station by taxi, and shared taxis will be available for select trains before and after the meeting. Parking is available on-site at Sleepy Hollow for those arriving by car. More detailed information about transportation will be emailed to attendees closer to the date.
Refreshments: Coffee and tea will be provided throughout the morning, and refreshments will be provided during the break. Lunch is not included; please make your own arrangements. Lunch can be eaten on the grounds of the cemetery, or in the Chapel if the weather is inclement.
Merchandise: NY Chapter of AGS T-shirts and T-shirts for the Sleepy Hollow meeting will be for sale for $20 (payable by cash or check). There will also be the opportunity to pre-order T-shirts to be picked up at the event.
March 11, 2014
Co-sponsored Lecture: From Below the Ground Up: A Geologist's Reading of Urban Cemeteries in NYC by Sidney Horenstein, Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, New York, NY
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies is please to co-sponsor a lecture on March 11, 2014 ,entitled "From Below the Ground Up: A Geologist's Reading of Urban Cemeteries in NYC" by Sidney Horenstein, Geologist Emeritus, Museum of Natural History.
The lecture is part of NYC Park's Uncommon Ground lecture series this spring, entitled "Urban Cemeteries as Historic Landscapes, Part II: Design, Topography/Geology and Stewardship." The subject of urban cemeteries, both private and public will be explored with a view toward greater understanding, appreciation and stewardship of these evocative landscapes.
The lecture will take place at 6 pm on March 11th at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park (64th Street and Fifth Avenue, Third Floor). Lectures are free and event seating is limited. RSVP to UncommonGround@parks.nyc.gov.
January 17, 2014
Guided Tour: Greek and Roman Funerary Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies has arranged a guided tour of Greek and Roman Funerary Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, led jointly by a curator and a conservator. The event will take place on January 17, 2014, from 5:45 to 7:00 pm. Please join us for this rare opportunity to learn about funerary objects in the collection.
The tour will be led jointly by Kiki Karoglou, Curator, Department of Greek and Roman Art, and De Abramitis, Conservator, The Sherman Fairchild Center for Objects Conservation.
Reservations are by email only; please RSVP to evabowerman25@gmail.com. Spaces on the tour are limited and we cannot guarantee admission on the tour unless we have received an RSVP by email.
Tickets cost $20 per adult, $13.50 per senior (cash only). This fee includes admission to the museum following the tour. We will email further details about the event closer to the date.
November 2, 2013 9:00 - 5:00 PM
Inaugural Meeting at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY
The New York Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies is pleased to announce its inaugural meeting. The event will take place on November 2, 2013, at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY, from 9 am to 5 pm.
Papers and presentations will cover topics including cemetery conservation, public programming, art history, archival research, and funding. Following lunch, Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman will lead a trolley tour of the cemetery.
The event will take place in the Chapel and on the grounds of Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11232. For directions please see www.green-wood.com/. Green-Wood is easily accessible by subway and parking is available on-site.
Coffee will be provided throughout the morning sessions and refreshments will be provided during the break. Lunch is not included; please make your own arrangements. Lunch can be eaten on the grounds of the cemetery, or in the Chapel if the weather is inclement.
T-shirts of the NY Chapter of AGS will be for sale for $20 (payable by cash or check) to support the Chapter. Maps of Green-Wood will be available, and there will be the opportunity to purchase guidebooks to Green-Wood at a discounted rate.