The purpose of this post is to update the generous friends of the Thompson Cemetery. We are eternally grateful for your support. Your donations of funding and time are being wisely invested to restore and preserve the Cemetery.
We are excited that we have hired a cemetery restoration specialist to restore the cemetery during the summer of 2019.
Introduction:
Preserve a Greene County Historical Site
The Association’s first goal is the restore and preserve the cemetery as a historical site that tells a story of the early Scotch-Irish settlers in Greene County Illinois. If you read the stones and put this information together with other research a story of striving for a better life, struggle and survival emerge. The Thompson cemetery also tells a tale of diseases that swept through these settlements and took many children now buried in the cemetery.
For further information about the history of the cemetery, the Association maintains a family tree for the cemetery on Ancestry.com.
Hired a Cemetary Restoration Specialist
The Thompson Cemetery Association has retained the services of RIP, Ltd to restore the cemetery in 2019. RIP, Ltd was referred to us by the State of Illinois DNR archeologist and has impressive credentials in properly restoring historic cemeteries. Refer to the biography below.
Volunteer for Gravestone Cleaning Workshop – Summer 2019
During the project, we are looking for volunteers to attend RIP’s gravestone cleaning workshop to learn how to properly clean stones without damage. After the workshop volunteers will use their skills to clean stones in the Thompson Cemetery.
Cemetery Restoration:
The Association is concerned that any restoration:
- Do no harm
- Is reversible
We are frustrated by earlier restoration efforts when concrete was used extensively. The purpose of this post is not to go into great detail on the proper techniques for restoration, but rather to show how we evaluated cemetery restoration specialists, contracted with the chosen specialist and assure that the work we do in 2019 will not be cursed by restorers 100 years from now.
These photos show the before views of the cemetery and samples of restorations. One of the challenges is that when the Association took over the cemetery a few years ago there was a pile of loose stones and fragments of stones. The plan is to restore stones into whole stones using proper reversible gluing and cementing techniques and to try to find the stones’ original homes. If we can’t find where they were originally to install them in a memorial area.
The other challenge is a concrete slab which is 24′ by 9′ and has several infant gravestones as well as their parents (Mary and David Thompson) stones set in concrete. This was a bad practice used in the 1900’s and was not done at the time of these burials in the 1860’s. RIP will be carefully removing the marble stones from concrete and the slab will be broken up and removed from the property.
Closing
The Statement of Work, proposal and the contractor’s credentials are in the exhibits, below.
We hope to provide updates as the work progresses.
Sincerely,
David Thompson
President
Thompson Cemetery Association
Exhibit: Photo Gallery – Before
These photos document the condition of the cemetery before restoration and preservation.
Exhibit: Statement of Work for the restoration project:
This agreement dated January 18, 2019, is for Cemetery Restoration and Preservation services delivered by R.I.P., Ltd. “Contractor” located at Monticello, IL and the non-profit association known as The Thompson Cemetery Association “Client”
Description of the Work:
Contractor is an expert at this type of work and will follow the guidelines recommended by the Federal government, State of Illinois agencies and professional organizations. The Client is relying on Contractor to do no harm during the restoration process.
The Client’s Primary Mission is to restore, protect and maintain the cemetery.
Summary of Work to be Performed by Contractor unless noted otherwise:
- Pre-restoration documentation. With exception of the stones on pallets, all visible stones will be photographed and documented. The Client will provide internment listings. Contractor to provide a scale drawing of the cemetery before and after work performed including the locations of:
- Marked graves
- Graves with fragments of stone markings above grade (exhibit A)
- Unmarked graves if identified by dowsing method
- Unmarked graves with buried stone fragments located by shallow probing
- “Parking area” to the south of entrance will be checked for unmarked graves. We understand from your previous visit that you found no evidence of unmarked graves beyond the west fence.
- Unmarked graves to be marked using small buried stones and measurements from known points will be diagrammed. Refer to Smith Thompson 1978 diagram to determine whether the currently unmarked grave may have been documented back then.
- MOST IMPORTANT: Fallen and loose stones, stone fragments and stone bases will be reassembled and repaired if possible. Contractor will make best efforts to address as much of the cemetery as time and budget allow. If a fragment that doesn’t fit other fragments has several letters it will be set in a full-size concrete marker. For example, a fragment with “Wm Thompso….” would be set in a large concrete marker. (Exhibits B- I)
- All pillar or obelisk style markers will be repaired in a similar fashion to other stones.
- Gravestones set in the 9’ x 24’ existing concrete slab will be removed by Contractor. Contractor will document the original positions (see #1). Contractor will probe the concrete slab to determine its structure. Contractor will recommend removal procedure and estimate costs. Client will determine whether to issue a change order for additional work to remove slab or to contract with a third party. Contractor will set the original stones in the traditional manner in their original positions only if the timing works out for Contractor. (Exhibit K)
- Cleaning Workshop: Contractor to provide materials and training to volunteers provided by the Client to clean stones to prevent further damage. (Exhibit L)
- Memorial Area: Rebuilt and other gravestones will be set in a traditional manner but close together in an open area of the cemetery referred to as the “memorial area” if the original locations are unknown. (Exhibit J)
- Stones with little or no writing or home will be buried within the fenced area of the cemetery
- Contractor to provide Client with at least 2-day notice of cemetery visits and provide a brief report after each visit is finished. As much advanced notice of stone cleaning training is required in order to coordinate with volunteers. We also need advanced notice of when slab breakup and removal can be scheduled. Contractor will also provide a more complete report including before/after diagrams at the completion of the job.
Notes:
Prior to the start of work, Contractor will provide evidence of current insurance.
All communications between the Contractor and Client will be between the contacts listed below.
Client is concerned about the 65% of the cemetery property located beyond the fence. While it is outside the scope of this project, any evidence of graves or property markers outside the fence should be brought to Client’s attention.
Client would also like assistance in marking trees for removal, especially any trees that endanger gravestones due to their position or condition. All trees between the West fence and the field will be removed by client and stumps left at post height.
Representatives of Client will provide on-site supervision of volunteers.
Costs:
$XXX including labor and materials, travel expenses.
To be paid 33% before the start of work, 33% at approximately the halfway point and 33% upon completion.
Any work outside the scope herein requires a written change order.
At the completion of the work, Contractor may be willing to donate to the Cemetery Association.
Executed by:
John Heider, Owner, RIP, Ltd
David Thompson, President, Thompson Cemetery Association
Exhibit: The Initial Proposal from RIP, Ltd:
Hello Dave,
The following is a letter of proposed services* for the preservation of gravestones located in the Thompson Cemetery
Barrow or Roodhouse Township Greene County
State of Illinois
The plan will follow the guidelines recommended by the federal government, State of Illinois agencies and professional organizations.
Description of Preservation Work (Revised)
Previous bid dated January 1, 2019 is voided
- Gravestones will be located by sight and by probing to a depth of less than 12
- Unmarked grave sites will be identified by dowsing established rows and “open” areas.
- Approximate number of grave markers to be repaired: Thirty (30)
- Each grave marker will be cleaned by using appropriate practices, tools and approved solutions; basic water, ammonia and water, a non-ionic or chemical All grave markers will be cleaned by hand. No power tools will be used.
Materials and personnel training for cleaning will be furnished by R.I.P., Ltd. Labor for cleaning will be furnished by Thompson.
- All broken grave markers will be repaired by using the proper adhesive product: epoxy, injection grout, white Portland cement, hydrated or hydraulic lime, and an aggregate of cleaned-washed-graded
- Each marker will be reset in its original base or a new, custom-sized concrete
No marker will be set directly into wet, grey concrete.
- All pillar or obelisk style markers will be repaired with the aforementioned adhesives, reset using light grey setting compound, spacers, and an adhesive stack mix formula of white Portland cement and hydrated or hydraulic
* Includes removing only marble gravestones from 9′ x 24′ concrete slab.
Does not include removing the 9′ x 24‘ concrete slab, fill, grade, reseed Does not include removing concrete slab pieces from property.
Upon conclusion, a report of completed services will be submitted. Minimum cost $XXX and will not exceed $XXX
Respectfully submitted,
John Heider
Exhibit: RIP, Ltd. CREDENTIALS
State of Illinois
Approved by the State of Illinois
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
- Illinois Nature Preserve Agency
- Illinois Nature Preserve Commission Illinois State Genealogical Society
- Cemetery Chairman
Monticello Township Cemetery, Piatt County
- Board Officer
Friends Cemetery, Putnam County
- Board Member
State of Indiana
Certified by the State of Indiana
- Indiana Historic Preservation and Archaeology
- Indiana Historic Society
State of Iowa
State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries
- Association Officer
Academic
Instructor, Parkland College Champaign, Illinois
Business Training and Community Education
- Cemetery Care and Restoration
- Gravestone Repair Instructor, Lake Land College Mattoon, Illinois
Community and Professional Programs
- Cemetery Care and Gravestone Preservation
Consultant, State of Illinois Cemetery Preservation Program Springfield, Illinois
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
- Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
- Instructor, State of Illinois Cemetery Preservation Program
Published Material
Cemetery Preservation Training, 2012
Cemetery Care and Gravestone Repair, 2016, 2017
Educational Preservation Workshops and/or Classes by:
Professional New England Cemetery Service
West Hartford, CT
Materials Conservator Materials Conservator Program
National Center for Preservation Technology & Training Natchitoches, LA
Cemetery Restoration Professional Graveyard Groomer (Business) Connersville, IN
….education is continuing and endless