On June 18th, PBN, through its Preservation Partners program, will be sponsoring a unique workshop on maintaining and repairing cemetery markers. Throughout Western New York, many small cemeteries, including many all volunteer associations, struggle with a variety of cemetery repair needs.

On June 19th, architectural conservator Mark Soeth, who is an on-call masonry conservator for the National Parks Service, will present a 5 hour seminar, including lectures, demonstrations and actual hands-on work with drainage, improvement, re-setting and pinning.

Most appropriately, this workshop will be at Concordia Cemetery, one of the oldest cemeteries in the region, created in 1858 by German immigrants. At one time, this cemetery was shared between three German churches: St. Peters, Trinity Lutheran, and St. Stephens. Today, the cemetery is maintained only through the efforts of a hard working group of volunteers.

PBN members are asked to spread the word to cemetery associations throughout western New York about this unique opportunity. There will be no charge for this workshop but advance registration will be required. To register, please call 852-330 or email info@P-B-N.org with name, address and phone number.