Gravestone Cleaning Workshop

Ms. Shapleigh-Brown has been involved in burial ground preservation and gravestone studies since the mid 1980's which is her passion in life.

Stanley-Whitman House gravestone cleaning workshops run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and start with an orientation on cemetery preservation, maintenance of historic gravestones, an overview of Connecticut’s historic burying grounds and cemeteries, and symbolism and carver identification. A demonstration will highlight basic care of gravestones, including low-tech conservation do’s and don’ts, before splitting into smaller groups for a demonstration of hands-on-basic techniques. Materials will be provided. Parking is available at the Barney Library which is a short distance away from the Memento Mori Cemetery.

In 1935, Stanley-Whitman House was established as Farmington's first museum. It is a nationally recognized historic house museum and living history center that teaches through the collection, preservation, research, and dynamic interpretation of the history and culture of early Farmington, Connecticut. Programs, events, classes, and exhibits encourage visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in history by doing, acting, questioning, and engaging in colonial life and the ideas that formed the foundation of that culture.

Located in the historic village of Farmington, the museum facility centers on a circa 1720 National Historic Landmark house furnished with period antiques to reflect the everyday activities of Colonial life in Connecticut. Surrounding the house are period-raised bed gardens, an apple orchard, and heritage stone walls.

The public service areas of the museum, constructed in 2004, include a modern classroom, a period tavern room, a post-and-beam Welcome Center, a research library, an exhibit gallery, the Nancy Conklin History Gallery, and a collection storage area.

In addition to managing Memento Mori, Farmington’s ancient cemetery on Main Street, and the Village Green, located at the intersection of Routes 4 and 10, the museum also oversees the Scott Swamp Cemetery on Route 6. The Stanley-Whitman House is supported in part by the Farmington Village Green and Library Association.

At Stanley Whitman House, our commitment to accessibility is paramount. While not all of our programs are free, we strive to offer as many as possible at no cost, thanks to the generous support of our underwriters. If you wish to assist us in this mission, we welcome donations, which help us to further expand and diversify our range of activities. Your contributions play a crucial role in maintaining and increasing the accessibility of our programs.

Host or Publisher Stanley-Whitman House