Preserving America's
Stories in Stone
A central-Maine preservation practice with national reach. We assess, map and document gravestones — and we share free forms, guides and an AI assessment tool so you can do it right yourself.
Try the Free AI Assessment Get the Book
Start Here
Three things on this site cost you nothing.
The Free AI Stone Assessment
Photograph any stone. Get the material identified, a 1–5 condition rating, a safe treatment plan, and a one-click search for that person's memorial record. Upload a photo →
Free Field Forms
The same fillable forms we use on every job — condition surveys, cemetery mapping, permission letters, cleaning logs. Download them →
What We Actually Use
The cleaners, brushes and repair materials that belong on old stone — and the ones that will ruin it. See the list →
Never Clean a Stone With the Wrong Thing Twice
Most of the damage we see was done by someone trying to help.
Bleach and pressure washers
Bleach leaves salts in the stone that keep working long after you rinse. A pressure washer strips the carved surface off soft stone in seconds. Both are still recommended online every day.
Wire brushes and shaving cream
Wire scores the stone and leaves iron behind to rust-stain it. Shaving cream leaves residue that feeds the next round of growth. Neither belongs near a headstone.
The right answer is slow
Water, a soft brush, patience, and a biocide made for stone. Results keep improving for months after you walk away. That is the whole trick, and we will teach it to you for free.
The Gravestone Guardian's Manual
A comprehensive field guide to North American cemetery preservation — by Cara & James Kent.
Twenty-two chapters covering every stone type on this continent, 350 years of American memorial art, what is actually growing on that marker, step-by-step cleaning and repair methods that will not make things worse, an illustrated symbol reference, and printable field forms. Written for families, town cemetery committees, historical societies, and anyone who has stood in front of a stone wondering where to start.
Find it on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. What's inside
Work We Take On
Central Maine for on-site work. Everywhere else for training and consulting.
Condition Assessments
Individual stones or whole cemeteries. What each marker is made of, what shape it is in, and what is safe to do next — in writing.
Mapping & Documentation
GPS-verified cemetery mapping, condition surveys, and the written record grant programs require.
Workshops & Training
For historical societies, town cemetery committees, DAR and SAR chapters, and volunteers who would rather learn it properly.