WORLD MONUMENTS FUND: HURRICANE DAMAGED TOMBS RESTORED

http://www.wmf.org/

Using a $40,000 grant from the World Monuments Fund, SOC is joined with the Preservation Trades Network in 2006 for a cemetery preservation field school in Lafayette Cemetery No. I.  The field school, which ran from Oct. 21 through Oct. 28th, was part of the International Preservation Trades Workshop held in New Orleans.

Efforts concentrated on the restoration of three abandoned tombs badly damaged by hurricane Katrina.   The program offered education and training opportunities in the conservation of cast iron, stone and plaster - skills that are in high demand during the long-term recovery of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Work in progress at the "Taylor Tomb", Lafayette No. I

The projects was developed and implemented by skilled tradespeople and members of PTN experienced with conservation and preservation.  Local tradespeople, students and apprentices with a range of skill levels also participated. 

Instructors involved in the school included David Via, a Conservator of Gravestones and Monuments from Virginia; Simeon Warren, Dean of the American College of the Building Arts and Professor of Architectural Stone; Frank Genello, Professor of Masonry at the American College of the Building Arts; Jean Lemineur Professor of Plasterwork at the American College of the Building Arts; New Orleans native Hurchail Barthé, a member of one of the oldest families of plasterers in the United States; and John Friedrichs of  New Dimension Building who has been involved in building trades for more than thirty years.

Many thanks to the World Monuments Fund, Lisa Sasser of PTN, our skilled instructors, Chaux Vive, and all of the field school participants and visitors.
                                                           
More work is planned in Lafayette Cemetery No. I in the coming months, so stay tuned.