Cemetery Preservation Workshop

In this one-day hands-on workshop under the guidance of Benjamin Curran and George Turner, participants will learn about cemetery preservation and practice headstone repair in controlled training environments on historic grave markers. Click here to register.

 

Dates

Saturday, May 9, 2026

 

Times

8:30 am – 4:30 pm

 

Locations

Classroom Training Location

Norbeck Recreation Center
4101 Muncaster Mill Road (Route 115)
Norbeck / Rockville, MD

GPS: 39.110172919699146, -77.08149024094111

 

Cemetery Training Location

Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery,
4021 Muncaster Mill Road
Norbeck / Rockville, MD

GPS: 39.110595047374765, -77.0809937063332

 

Level

Introductory

 

Prerequisites

None

 

Format

In-person and hands-on.

 

Learning Objectives

You’ll learn through a combination of classroom-style instruction and hands-on restoration work. The focus is on practical techniques and real-world conditions. During this workshop, you will have the opportunity to:

1. Clean, stabilize, and reset headstones.
2. Perform basic masonry and mortar repair for damaged monuments.
3. Identify and mitigate common environmental threats to cemetery preservation.

 

What to Expect

These workshops are interactive, hands-on, and have very little lecture time! Be prepared to:

• Stand, sit, crouch, and use your hands.
• Collaborate with participants on different activities.
• Be outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Get dirty, hands-on, and interactive.

 

What to Bring

• Wear clothes that are okay to get dirty, stained, torn, etc.
• Long pants (required) and long sleeves (recommended).
• Closed toe shoes (required).
• Sunscreen or sunblock.
• Bug spray.
• Hat or sun protection.
• Knee pads or a pad for kneeling (participants will be working close to the ground).
• Water bottle.
• Snacks and a lunch. Lunch can be purchased nearby.

 

What’s Included

• Personal Protective Equipment
• All tools, materials, and supplies needed for the workshop.
• Learning materials.
• Access to the facilities on site.

 

The Instructors

Benjamin Curran

Instructor

Expert Craftsperson

 

George Turner

Facilitator

Expert Craftsperson

 

 

Agenda

8:30 am – 4:30 pm

8:30 am: Welcome & Check-in, Introductions and overview of workshop objectives
9:00 am: Site orientation and safety briefing, Discussion of tools and materials used in headstone repair
10:30 am: Demonstration: Cleaning, Stabilizing, and Minor Headstone Repairs
12:00 pm: Lunch (bring your own)
12:30 pm: Hands-on: Clean and Stabilize Headstones
2:30 pm: Hands-on: Basic Masonry Repair, Resetting and minor mortar work
3:30 pm: Documentation techniques and best practices for maintaining records
4:00 pm: Clean up, Q&A, discussion of next steps
4:30 pm: Close up

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the workshop scheduled?

The workshop will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

2. Where will the workshop be held?

On May 9, everyone will check in at Norbeck Recreation Center, 4101 Muncaster Mill Road (Route 115), Norbeck / Rockville, MD

3. How much does the workshop cost?

The total cost of the workshop is $100 for early bird enrollment (deadline is April 30) and $125 for regular enrollment (deadline is May 7). Other expenses, such as travel and housing, are NOT included in the cost. Registrants must arrange and pay for their own travel, housing, and food expenses.

4. Who are the instructors?

The instructor for the workshop is Benjamin Curran and the facilitator is George Turner.

5. What topics will be covered in the workshop?

This one-day cemetery preservation and headstone repair workshop provides participants with hands-on experience maintaining and stabilizing historic burial sites. Students will learn practical skills while gaining an understanding of African American cemetery heritage and stewardship.

6. What are the daily hours of the workshop?

The workshops will run for eight hours each day. General start/end times may vary each day. On May 9, please arrive by 8:30 a.m. for check-in. Learners will receive information about their daily activities once on-site. 

7. Who should attend this workshop?

This course is open to beginners, tradespeople, preservationists, and anyone interested in learning more about historic cemetery preservation.

8. Do I need any prior experience?

No prior experience is necessary. All materials and tools will be provided.

9. What should I bring to the workshop?

All necessary materials, tools, and PPE will be provided. Participants should wear comfortable clothing suitable for hands-on work and bring any personal items they may need for a full day of activities. All participants must wear closed-toe shoes. Suggested items to bring include a water bottle, snacks, lunch, sunblock, and kneepads. Wear clothes that can get dirty, wet, or be damaged. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. 

10. Are there any additional activities included in the workshop?

There are no planned activities. Learners may explore the local area on their own.

11. How do I register for the workshop?

Register here. You will need to create an account to register if you do not already have one.

12. Is travel and accommodation included in the workshop fee?

No, participants are responsible for their own travel, food, and accommodation arrangements.

13. What is the maximum number of attendees for the workshop?

The maximum number of attendees is 15. 

14. What happens if registration is full?

Once registration reaches 15 participants, please fill out the form here to be added to a waitlist.

15. What is your refund policy?

Please refer here for the refund policy. By creating an account and registering for this workshop, you have agreed to these terms.