Restoring Cemeteries

Joseph Ferrannini will give an illustrated talk on restoring cemeteries on Monday, April 5, to the Stephentown Historical Society. The meeting is at 7:30 pm at the Heritage Center on Garfield Road (County Route 26) in Stephentown. It is free and open to the public. The building is handicapped accessible. For directions, telephone 518-733-5675.
Several years ago Ferrannini found his old family cemetery in an overgrown and neglected condition. He began taking classes on stone restoration so he could rescue the site. Two years ago he began a new career as a professional cemetery marker restorer with his business, Gravestone Matters. His talk will illustrate the restoration of an abandoned cemetery in Pittstown, NY. The work was begun in 2005 with brush clearing. The conservation of stones is now complete. This project was done with the help of volunteers and support of the Pittstown Abandoned Cemetery Committee. Ferrannini has also recently repaired and restored markers in St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands and St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.