Seminar on lichens and gravestones

Seminar: Lichens and Gravestones
Humboldt Field Research Institute
Eagle Hill Foundation
Steuben, Maine
July 17 - 23, 2011

<URL:http://www.eaglehill.us>

This seminar will explore the intersection of natural life and
cultural objects as they manifest themselves with lichens on
gravestones. Specifically, we will study the physical, chemical,
ecological, and aesthetic relationships between lichens and
gravestones. The cemeteries in Maine's Hancock and Sullivan Counties
are rich with a high diversity of lichen species and offer a prime
opportunity for this study. The seminar will be structured with
lectures, field trips, microscopy sessions, and laboratory tests.

Different lichen species grow on different stone types. Lichen
growth is influenced by the condition of the stone, and of the
microclimates created by gravestone orientation, carved inscriptions
and decorative features, and paths of rainwater run-off. Visual
clues of former cleaning and repair campaigns present themselves in
the lichens growing (or not growing) on gravestones. Many lichens
are pollution sensitive are often employed as pollution monitors;
the study of lichens on gravestones can be useful for better
understanding the ecology of a particular place. To what extent
lichens protect a gravestone and to what extent they cause harm are
questions that will be discussed.

We will present lectures on basic lichen morphology and species
identification; the role of lichens in the environment; lichen
frequency, rarity, and protection; the history of stone quarrying,
finishing, and gravestone manufacture and assembly; gravestone
protection; and cultural landscape preservation. Field trips are
planned for a number of cemeteries. We will examine and identify
lichens in the field and also microscopically, in the laboratory. We
will observe the effects of biocides on lichens with a series of
laboratory tests. As a class project, participants will
photo-document the lichens found over the course of the field trips
and compile a checklist of the species.

Prior knowledge of lichens or gravestones will be useful for this
seminar, but is not necessary.

Judy Jacob <judithmjacob<-a t->yahoo< . >com> is a Senior Conservator with the
National Park Service, Northeast Region, in the New York City Field
Office.  She works primarily on stone monuments and masonry
buildings; her work in cemeteries includes preparation of
preservation plans and execution of stabilization and repair
treatments for gravestones.

Michaela Schmull, PhD. <mschmull<-a t->oeb< . >harvard< . >edu>, is a
lichenologist and the Research and Curatorial Associate at the
Farlow Herbarium, Harvard University.  Her research interests
include lichen ecology, biodiversity, and systematics.  She has
taught classes in plant microscopy, plant identification, and
lichens and air pollution.

Catherine Dewey
Architectural Conservator
Acting Historic Architecture Program Manager
National Capital Region
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC  20242
202-619-7107 office
202-510-1117 cell
Fax:202-401-0017


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:42
                  Distributed: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-42-015
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