Preservation Maryland is proud to partner with the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites to commence their statewide conference and annual meeting on the topic of Maryland’s historic cemeteries including sessions from the National Park Service and a focus on providing on-the-spot assistance and advice to attendees about preserving cemeteries in your communities.
Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites
Statewide Conference & Annual Meeting
Saturday, April 29, 2017, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
St. James Parish Episcopal Church and Cemetery
5757 Solomons Island Road, Lothian, MD
MORE FROM THE COALITION
The Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites is pleased to announce our 26th Statewide Conference and Annual Meeting in Lothian, in beautiful southern Anne Arundel County, on Saturday, April 29, 2017. The day—from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.— is planned to be educational, fun, and full of collegiality!
The event will be held at St. James Parish Episcopal Church and Cemetery — one of Maryland’s original parishes. The churchyard was laid out in 1696, with oldest burials dating from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and the current church was built in 1765.
SCHEDULE
Conference sessions include a joint presentation titled “Reclaiming the Forgotten in Institutional Cemeteries” by Dennis Montagna, Director, Monument Research & Preservation Program in the National Park Service, Northeast Region, and Tina Simmons, Cemetery Inscription Chair for Anne Arundel Geneological Society.
“What is Happening Now in Cemetery Conservation” by Robert Mosko of Mosko Cemetery Monument Services. Mr. Mosko will speak on conservation by the book, what to expect from a cemetery conservator, volunteer roles, and the latest in technology: drones, GPR, and Social Media.
There will be opportunities to talk with others who care about historic cemeteries, and the 2017 Periwinkle Awards will be presented to deserving volunteers and projects. A brief business meeting will elect 2017-19 members of the Board of Directors, and hear committee reports and announcements about the Six-to-Fix partnership with Preservation Maryland, the Trader Foundation, and other initiatives. Continuing CPMBS traditions, expect a bountiful silent auction, interesting gift shop, delicious food, and a unique tombstone dessert.
Our popular Open Forum encourages attendees to raise concerns, describe problems, suggest strategies, and share the highs and lows of preserving historic burial grounds. All topics are welcome! Also, Gene Meyer, author of A Pigeon Named Pete, will sign copies of his book, with all proceeds going to the Coalition on this day.
After lunch, we will walk around the cemetery to note gravestone styles and symbolism, discuss conservation issues and solutions, and visit the oldest dated gravestone in Maryland. Bring your questions and cameras. The day ends about 3:30 p.m.