Grave Cleaning Clubs
The library offers monthly grave cleaning clubs in each county from May through October. Each month, each county’s club meets at a local cemetery and cleans gravestones. The library provides all the supplies and a library staff member demonstrates the cleaning process. Grave cleaning has grown in popularity over the past few years; it’s even become a trend on social media. Public libraries and other organizations across the country have started their own clubs. Click here to read about gravestone cleaning meetups at the Christian County Public Library in the May 2024 edition of American Libraries.
Franklin County Dates, Times, and Cemetery Locations
Warren County Dates, Times, and Cemetery Locations
Gasconade County Dates, Times, and Cemetery Locations
Why clean gravestones? | Cleaning Process | Supplies | Sponsors
Why clean gravestones?
Over time, gravestones can become covered with dirt, bird deposits, sap, and biological growth, such as algae, moss, and lichen. If left unmaintained, they can cause a gravestone to deteriorate. In addition, lettering can become worn to the point where it’s no longer readable. Cleaning gravestones help beautify the cemetery and preserve the grave markers.
Cleaning Process
The library utilizes an environmentally friendly biological chemical (D/2) and non-metal tools to clean gravestones in the gentlest manner possible to avoid damage. (Tested and used by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Park Service, D/2 is a biodegradable cleaner that is pH neutral and contains no salts, bleach, or acids.)
These are a few videos demonstrating the cleaning process from social media:
@manicpixiemom Ellen M. Beveridge ❤️ #gravetok #gravestonecleaning #cemetery #taphophile #familyhistory ♬ original sound – manicpixiemom 🧽 🪦
@manicpixiemom Jane’s epitaph: “Gone But Not Forgot”. 💔 #gravestonecleaning #gravetok #fyp #manicpixiemom #cemetery♬ original sound – manicpixiemom 🧽 🪦
Supplies
Attendees at the library’s grave cleaning groups will be loaned the following supplies:
• D/2 Biological Solution
• Kneeling pad
• 8-inch wooden skewers
• Plastic putty knife
• 7” Nylon Brush
• Pump sprayer bottle (1 gallon)
• Spray bottle (32 oz.)
• Rubber gloves (Powder-free, non-latex)
• 7-gallon water carrier with spigot
• Scrub brush with handle
Sponsors
The supplies for the library’s grave cleaning clubs have been provided by the following sponsors:
Franklin County
Eaton Funeral Home
Tim and Nettie Peterson
Gasconade County
Victorian Place of Owensville and Hermann
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Cemetery
Anonymous
Theresa Black
Warren County
Goin’ Postal
Continental Pump
Missouri Bank
Franklin County Dates, Times, and Cemetery Locations
Restoration Guardians
Third Saturday of the Month
10 AM – 12 PM
June 15 – Clark Family Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri
July 20 –
August 17 –
September 21 –
October 19 –
Gasconade County Dates, Times, and Cemetery Locations
Save a Story Grave Cleaning Club
First Saturday of the Month (except in June)
10 AM – 12 PM
May 4 – Hermann City Cemetery, East 9th Street and Schiller Street, Hermann, Missouri
June 8 – St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Cemetery, Owensville, Missouri
July 6 – Little Berger Cemetery, Hermann, Missouri
August 3 – Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Owensville, Missouri
September 7 – Saint John/Stolpe UCC Cemetery, Hermann, Missouri
October 5 – New Salem Cemetery, Owensville, Missouri
Warren County Dates, Times, and Cemetery Locations
Preserving the Past
Third Saturday of the Month
10 AM – 12 PM
May 18 – Warrenton City Cemetery, Warrenton, Missouri
June 21 – Wright City Cemetery, Wright City, Missouri
July 20 – Warrenton City Cemetery, Warrenton, Missouri
August 17 – Wright City location to be determined
September 21 – Warrenton City Cemetery, Warrenton, Missouri
October –
