Westport Gravestone Cleaning and Restoration Group
WESTPORT GRAVESTONE CLEANING AND RESTORATION GROUP
Join Our Team!
The Westport Historical Society invites you to join our effort to preserve Westport’s cemeteries. It is a rewarding and therapeutic activity! We will host a series of regular gravestone cleaning and restoration events.
We will provide training onsite for cleaning at each cleaning session. No need to preregister.
New volunteers who plan to work with our restoration team are invited to register and to attend the workshops to learn the trade. Please note this is an advanced workshop which assumes some experience to date. However, we also need people willing to assist in the restoration with such jobs as cleaning pieces, rinsing, digging, mixing putty, mixing cement, cutting wood, using the pry bar, etc. For clarification and preregistration please contact Todd at [email protected]
Please be aware of weather conditions. Cleaning and repair work will NOT take place in the event of light or heavy rain, if the temperature is below 45 degrees or during a heat advisory. We will post on our Facebook group page if there is a cancellation. Email Todd Baptista or Betty Slade if you are not able to get information. You may also provide your email address to Todd or Betty and we will email you with changes, additions, cancellations and the like. We will do our best to be responsive.
You need to bring a bucket for water or a hand-held garden sprayer and non-wire (plastic or nylon) brushes of different sizes. Volunteers often bring a cushion or small stool to sit on while working. Team leaders will supply plastic scrapers and water. Some people use chopsticks or toothbrushes to clean out the engraved lettering.
Please bring your own beverage, snacks, sunscreen, hats, and bug spray if you wish.
You may get dirty, so dress accordingly. We use D/2 Biological Solution for cleaning. The D/2 is non-toxic so gloves are not necessary unless you want them.
D/2 Biological Solution will be donated by Ted Kinnari, the owner of the company, who lives in Westport. Please research online for more information. Some questions are answered at:
Any questions?
Contact Todd Baptista at [email protected] or Betty Slade at [email protected]
Gravestone Cleaning and Restoration Schedule March through May 2022
Sat. March 12. Friends North Cemetery, immediately north of old High School on Main Road
10:30 to 1:30
Gravestone leveling and minor gravestone restoration work will be done by the experts. This is a chance to come see what restoration work is all about and if you would like to assist or learn. There is no gravestone cleaning in this session.
Sat. March 19. Beech Grove, at corner of Main and Hixbridge Roads
10:30 to 2:30
We welcome our experienced volunteers for gravestone cleaning at our first session this year.
Assessments of stones requiring repair/restoration will also take place.
It will be a teaching session for new volunteers for cleaning and for those interested in the restoration work. Pizza will be served at lunchtime.
Sat. March 26. Beech Grove Cemetery
10:00 to 2:00
Rain date for March 19th or continuation of gravestone cleaning/repair/restoration.
Sat. April 2. Green Allen Cemetery, near 1067 Drift Road
11:00 to 2:00
Gravestone restoration only. No gravestone cleaning.
Sat. April 2. Beech Grove Cemetery
11:00 to 2:00
Gravestone cleaning at this session. New volunteers welcome for training.
Sat. April 9. Rufus Wordell Cemetery, abuts property at 101 Old Bedford Road.
11:00 to 2:00
Preparatory work for the advanced gravestone restoration workshop. Those registered or planning to register to attend a gravestone restoration workshop should attend this session. It will be archaeological work of sorts: carefully digging up broken pieces of gravestones, scrubbing broken pieces and preparing the site for these advanced repair projects. Minimal experience needed.
Gravestone Cleaning at this session. New volunteers welcome for training.
Sat. April 16. Rufus Wordell Cemetery, abuts property at 101 Old Bedford Road.
11:00 to 2:00
Continued preparatory work for the advanced gravestone restoration workshop. Those registered to attend the workshop should attend this session. It will be archaeological work of sorts: carefully digging up broken pieces of gravestones, scrubbing broken pieces and preparing the site for these advanced repair projects. Minimal experience needed.
Sat. April 30. Beech Grove Cemetery
10:00 – 1:00
Preparatory work for the advanced gravestone restoration workshop. Those registered or planning to register to attend the gravestone restoration workshop should attend this session. This is a session to prepare stones that will be worked on at the workshop. Minimal experience is needed. This is an opportunity to assist the experts by doing such tasks as digging, cleaning, moving supplies, or whatever assistance you may be able to give.
Gravestone Cleaning at this session. New volunteers welcome for training.
Sat May 7. Beech Grove Cemetery
9:00 to 4:00
Advanced gravestone restoration led by Jonathan Appell. New volunteers who plan to work with our restoration team are invited to attend the workshop to learn the trade. However, this is an advanced workshop which assumes some experience to date. Preregistration to learn restoration is required.
We also need people willing to assist in the restoration with such jobs as cleaning pieces, rinsing, digging, mixing putty, mixing cement, cutting wood, using the pry bar, etc.
For clarification and preregistration please contact Todd Baptista at [email protected].
Lunch will be provided. Port-A-John available.
Sunday May 8. Beech Grove Cemetery
9:00 to 4:00
Continuation of advanced gravestone restoration led by Jonathan Appell. New volunteers who plan to work with our restoration team are invited to attend the workshop to learn the trade. However, this is an advanced workshop which assumes some experience to date. Preregistration to learn restoration is required.
We also need people willing to assist in the restoration with such jobs as cleaning pieces, rinsing, digging, mixing putty, mixing cement, cutting wood, using the pry bar, etc.
For clarification and preregistration please contact Todd Baptista at [email protected].
Lunch will be provided. Port-A-John available.
Sat May 14. Beech Grove Cemetery
10:00 to12:00
Gravestone Cleaning at this session. New volunteers welcome for training. Please contact Betty Slade to register at [email protected]
Sat, May 21. Edward Borden Cemetery, 181 Sanford Road
11:00 to 2:00
Gravestone Cleaning at this session. New volunteers welcome for training.
Preparation for restoration of gravestones in this private cemetery. We also need people willing to assist in the restoration with such jobs as cleaning pieces, rinsing, digging, mixing putty, mixing cement, cutting wood, using the pry bar, etc.
Sat, May 28. Edward Borden Cemetery, 181 Sanford Road
11:00 to 2:00
Restoration of gravestones in this private cemetery. We also need people willing to assist in the restoration with such jobs as cleaning pieces, rinsing, digging, mixing putty, mixing cement, cutting wood, using the pry bar, etc.
Gravestone Cleaning at this session. New volunteers welcome for training.
Summer sessions will be announced later. Sessions continue through the fall depending on weather.
Check out the Facebook page: Westport Gravestone Cleaning and Restoration Group.
Donations through the Westport Historical Society are appreciated.
You are free to come as often and stay as long as you want at each cleaning session.
Meet one of our gravestone cleaning group leaders, Todd Baptista
Todd Baptista admits his passion for cemeteries has been lifelong. A 52 year-old clinical pharmacist and town resident for 28 years, he remembers his mom bringing him for walks in a New Bedford cemetery early in life. The conservation and cleaning initiative of the Westport Historical Society is an ideal match for Todd’s passion.
“I loved history, and was fascinated by the old stones. Each was unique and intriguing and many told stories. With the harsh New England winters, a lot of stones have broken, become weather-beaten, or even knocked over by lawn mowers. Some need significant maintenance, but a good number of them could simply use a good cleaning.”
“For me, these old cemeteries are like a free trip to an American history museum. As I am cleaning, I find myself thinking of the individual buried there. The horse or ox drawn carts used to bring the coffins to the graves. The men who hand-dug these final resting spaces. The survivors and mourners and the carvers of these works of art that mark the graves. As the years of algae and mildew and dirt roll off and the names and dates are exposed clearly and vividly, all those folks seem to come alive again for me. It’s a very rewarding feeling.”