Williamson Co. Historical Society attended a cemetery preservation workshop July 13, 2023, held at the Troy Cemetery in Troy Illinois. The workshop, sponsored by Atlas Preservation with Jonathan Appell teaching over 40 attendees from Illinois, Missouri and one from Iowa how to safely and correctly preserve cemeteries along with history of the type of stone used to make headstones. We cleaned markers using a biological solution and learned when NOT to rub/brush because of removing the surface of the marker, how to repair fractured tablet stones, reset tablets into Keyway bases, and secure headstones to flat base with proper training, equipment and products.

He suggested to always ask for permission before working on markers and document the work by creating a log and taking before and after photographs. Troy was selected from many submissions for the 48 State Tour Restoring Americas Cemeteries and was hosted by Troy Genealogical Society and VFW Auxiliary who furnished lunch for the group.

If a group or individuals are interested there are videos of Jonathan and others doing this type of work by clicking on links at Atlas Preservation.

Those representing WCHS are Brian Norman, Marion, Jeff Smith and granddaughter Maranda Smith, Carbondale and Sharon Vansaghi, Marion.