Getting Some Clarity

My main focus this fall has been the initiation of our monument survey project. The Trust received a prestigious grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to begin cataloging many of Forest Hills’ most at-risk 19th century marble monuments. While there isn’t much we can do to avoid the inevitable deterioration of these once-bright-white, soft, lustrous marble stones, documenting the form, design, and inscriptions will provide an important historical record for current and future scholars. In the photo above, taken on a recent sunny day, volunteers Ros and Elinor are busy transcribing inscriptions, while NEA Preservation Intern Leo Greene holds a mirror to reflect some additional light onto the inscription Ros is working on. (This technique helps to decipher badly eroded inscriptions.)

There are other projects associated with the grant that anyone with an interest and time to devote can get involved in. (Students might be able to get school credit.) For more details contact me at e_ciregna@foresthillstrust.org or check out our website. I’d love to hear from you!