Condition Assessment of Historic Gravestone Markers

FAIN: PG-51422-11

Old Swedes Church Foundation (Wilmington, DE 19801-4421)
Rebecca L. Wilson (Project Director: May 2010 to January 2013)

A preservation assessment of historic gravestone markers from the burial grounds at the Old Swedes Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark. The gravestones represent artifacts that document the community and its history, the gravestone as an art form, and the colonial history and founding of the New Sweden Colony in Delaware.

The Old Swedes Historic Site includes the National Historic Landmark Church and burial grounds which date to 1638. The Old Swedes Foundation seeks $6,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to conduct a collection specific survey of the historic gravestone markers. The project will assess the condition for 1500 gravestone markers located in the churchyard to determine condition, establish conservation priorities, and prepare a cost estimate for a five-year incremental conservation program. John Carr, architectural conservator with Milner + Carr Conservation will conduct the assessment with assistance from staff conservators. The survey and condition assessment will assist the Foundation with the development of an effective short and long range preservation plan.