Ethics

Cemetery Preservation Course

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When approaching any cemetery project, we need a basis for decision making. To make sound decisions for cemetery care and maintenance, we need a series of principles or a guiding philosophy. Fortunately, others have spent quite some time thinking about the ethics and philosophy of conservation and preservation treatments. They include the American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice and the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the treatment of Historic Properties. The following is a summary of concepts to consider:

1. Be respectful.
2. Be Safe.
3. Be Authentic.
4. Don't work beyond your skill set.
5. Do no harm.
6. Use the gentlest method possible.
7. Document your treatments.
8. Conserve original materials.
9. Understand the materials.
10. Test your methods.

Duration:

18 minutes, 54 seconds

This video is part of a series of presentations and media for people interested in learning about preservation techniques to stabilize the nation's historic gravesites. In this presentation, the Center's Chief of Materials and Conservation, Mary Striegel, will discuss the ethics of working in preservation and gravesites.