Stone Transcription Project
History
Established in October 2007, with the goal of developing a prioritized list of stone markers to be repaired in the Eastern Cemetery, the group was inspired by a workshop given by Fred Oakley, a highly-regarded conservator, teacher, author and one of the founders of The Association for Gravestone Studies.
The project requires us to build on and compare current conditions of stones to the records compiled by local historian William B. Jordan, Jr. in 1987 and Portland City engineer William A. Goodwin in 1890. We began surveying the cemetery by section in May 2008. We have been doing the following tasks since:
- Transcribe epitaphs
- Measure stone markers
- Assess marker condition
- Map current marker location and compare to previous coordinates
- Photograph each stone and compile into a directory
The winter months are used to move the information from paper to computer.
In spring 2008, we began to analyze collected data and develop a priority list for stabilization and repair of high-risk stones in Section B. This report was submitted to the city's Historic Preservation office. The Section A survey was completed in November 2009. During the 2010 season, we transcribed the stones in Sections C through F. From May to October 2011, we copmleted sections G-K and finished all 85 tombs in Section A.
In 2012, we plan to institute the restoration phase of the project. With all stones transcribed, we will begin to go in with a trained team of volunteers to clean and repair stones as needed under the Master Plan.
We are an all-volunteer group and have trained many in accurate data collection while working amidst these fragile and beautiful old stones and monuments in the Eastern Cemetery. We plan to start a photo archive to accompany the stones as well. We welcome anyone with an interest in preserving these delicate artifacts to come out and join us!
Save a Stone Program
Once a comprehensive assessment is made of the stones, we expect to start a program where we will ask for sponsors who to fund the conservation of specific stones. All funds will be used to buy materials needed for a stone's restoration, but labor will be provided (where applicable) by trained volunteers to complete conservation work, keeping the sponsor involved all the while.