Headstone Cleaning and Maintenance

Learn the fundamentals of proper cemetery preservation during this hands-on workshop at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Set against a historic Nicholas Clayton-designed family vault, the class will offer a practical introduction to caring for and maintaining headstones, monuments, and other historic masonry.

Led by #GalvestonHistory staff, participants will learn the dos and don’ts of cleaning, when and how to use limewash, and how to identify common drainage issues that can affect historic stonework. While the techniques are especially useful for cemetery preservation, many of the same principles can also be applied to historic masonry and maintenance projects at home.

Please note: Calvary Cemetery is located on Galveston Island between 61st Street and 65th Street. The entrance is located on 65th Street.

ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last seventy years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, museum development, and heritage tourism. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life, and continues to lead on local, state, and national levels with research-driven programs that build awareness of preservation’s role in cultural identity and stewardship across generations.