Leelanau County cemeteries contain numerous early European settlers and their families, representing an important historical record and an integral part of the local heritage.
These graves and monuments are the last and often only record of their life. Repairing, cleaning, and care taking these physical community archives is a meaningful way to preserve history.
Over the last five years the Leelanau Historical Society (LHS) has taken an active role in facilitating workshops to teach best-practice rehabilitation methods with instruction from professional monument conservators. This commitment to our ancestors relies on active participation from the community as a way to honor our roots.
Two cemetery preservation programs are soon slated.
A cleaning bee is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, May 25 at Beechwood Cemetery.
Participants will learn gentle cleaning techniques and help spruce up the cemetery north of Leland on M-22.
To register go to: https:// docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScB8qIKv5 gsJ10KvHVjPj2dQ3Evbz4D_ Re4gis-wVDoFI8jVA/viewform This will be followed by a two-day workshop at the Kasson Township Cemetery, June 7 and 8.
Monument conservator Ron Kelderhouse will demonstrate proper repair/rehabilitation methods recommended by the Department of the Interior.
To register for the workshop which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days go to https:// docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoiQ0bNt BVlnGZp0uwEgt6s-qB3lizaynQraplI6s_mZLQ/viewform.
