Published: February 03, 2010 10:28 pm      

Park to host cemetery seminar

Attendees will learn about symbols, shapes and carvings on gravestones

Olive Hill — Anyone who has ever looked at a gravestone and wondered about the symbols, shapes and carvings might be interested in attending a seminar on Feb. 20 at Carter Caves State Resort Park.

“It is the first time it has been done at the park,” said Coy Ainsley, park naturalist, who admitted his own personal interest in many of the topics planned for discussion during the seminar in a meeting room at the lodge.

“I understand you will learn to trace ancestors and know more about people just by looking at their gravestone,” Ainsley said, adding the seminar’s instructor, Gaylord Cooper, will bring a sample gravestone for a hands-on lesson in creating stone “rubbings” to transfer the information on an aged stone onto paper. To his own surprise, Ainsley said he has been told the practice of making gravestone rubbings can actually damage the stonework if not performed properly.

Reviewing the schedule for the day’s sessions, Ainsley said the morning will include classroom information about the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard; the evolution of cemeteries and gravestones and resulting changes in the use of gravestone icons; the meaning of many commonly used gravestone icons; and Victorian-era influence on gravestone symbols.

Following a one-hour lunch break, the afternoon sessions will include information about the influence of Puritans upon gravestone icons; appropriate methods for photographing graves and stones; enhancing worn and aged carvings on old gravestones; tools and chemicals that can be used to clean stones and make the images more legible without damaging the stone; and an extended period for questions and answers.

Participants are urged to preregister for the $10 seminar or show up early on the day of the event. The seminar will be conducted by Gaylord Cooper of Eastern Kentucky Genealogy Associates, an author of several articles and books about cemetery iconology. Participants will receive materials and a coupon for a discount toward their purchase of the book “Stories Told In Stone.”

To register or for more information, call the park at (606) 286-4411.