Training
If you're new to gravestone restoration and cleaning, we can't stress enough the importance of hands on training. This is available in most states either through local historic societies, professional organizations, or touring companies who offer this type of educational service. If you're local to us in Southeastern, MA and are interested in learning, please use our contact page to reach out and we will gladly assist in connecting you with the right group.
Once you have this training, equally important is permission to work in any given cemetery, graveyard, or burial ground. Each state, town, jurisdiction, and location will have individual laws, regulations, and local groups with oversight over each location, some of them more tightly governed than others. Even if the stone in question belongs to close family, permission may not be inherently granted - even if you paid for the stone!
After training and permission are in hand, where do you go for supplies? Some of our favorites are listed.
Atlas Preservation is currently making the rounds in their 2024 48 State Tour. If you want to learn, go see them at one of their events!
Supplies
Where to Find Them
Atlas Preservation
One of the things we love the most about this company is their 48 State Tour. We've attended events in a few states and they were one of our first forays into gravestone restoration (but not the last). They're located in Connecticut and we've found them to be the lowest in cost when shipping is included, but we're located in Massachusetts so you'll have to evaluate that for yourself. This is where we purchase our D2 and brushes. Their proprietor is so incredibly knowledgeable that we always come away from their workshops with something new. We're both huge fans of the zero pump sprayer they sell.
Cemetery Preservation Supply
Excellent prices. While we use a different method with D2, likely due to different regional stone types, they have a competitive cost. They also have several locations in the Midwest and South so they're a viable option for those who live in those parts of the US.