Seminar on lichens and gravestones

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

    <URL:http://www.eaglehill.us/
        programs/nhs/seminar-flyer-pdfs/Jacob&Schmull.pdf>

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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

        Judy Jacob 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
    mschmull<-a t->oeb< . >harvard< . >edu

        Michaela Schmull, PhD., 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.

Information on lodging options, meals, and costs may be found at:

    <URL:http://www.eaglehill.us/
        programs/general/application-info.shtml>

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    email. There should be no newline.


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:52
                   Distributed: Sunday, May 22, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-52-009
                                  ***