Disaster can strike historic cemeteries in many forms--from weather-related threats like hurricanes and tornados to human-made threats like vandalism. This series of webinars provides guidance to stewards of historic cemeteries to better prepare for and respond to future disasters. Viewers can expect to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to assess risks; prevent or minimize disaster-related damages; prioritize and carry-out post-disaster stabilization and response work; and to generally build greater resiliency to withstand and recover from disasters.
These webinars were developed specifically with hurricanes in mind. However, the guidance is equally applicable to disasters of all kinds. The information can also help caretakers start or enhance general cemetery preservation projects.
WEBINARS (Recorded in 2022-23)
Webinar 1 - Lay of the Land: Pre-Disaster Cemetery Orientation
View the recording here.
Prepare for an emergency situation by getting back to basics. Gain a better understanding of the significance of historic cemeteries and the importance of building a base of community support before disaster strikes.
Download handouts from this webinar:
Webinar 2 - Cemetery Survey and Data Collection: Pre-Disaster Documentation
View the recording here.
In this webinar, learn the importance of pre-disaster documentation and how to do it. Get tips for creating, maintaining, and storing all types of documentation, including burial records, maps, inventories, condition assessments, and photographs.
Download handouts from this webinar:
- Presentation Slides
- Resources List
- Markers and Monument Styles
- Cemetery Survey form - Also available as an editable Word doc or PDF (use these to customize your own forms)
- Cemetery Resource Survey form (for recording individual features) - Also available as an editable Word doc or PDF
Webinar 3 - Risk Assessment & Pre-Disaster Planning for Historic Cemeteries
View the recording here.
Learn to assess the potential threats, existing issues, and possible conditions your cemetery may experience during a disaster event. Then, build a step-by-step plan that can help reduce the impact of a disaster.
Download handouts from this webinar:
Webinar 4 - Sound the Alarm! Immediate Response to Disaster in Historic Cemeteries
View the recording here.
Participants in this webinar will leave with tools for prioritizing response actions immediately leading up to and following a natural disaster. We discuss coordinating efforts with local responders; identifying sources of funding support and technical assistance; and how to document the damage post-disaster.
Download handouts from this webinar:
- Presentation Slides
- Resources List
- NCPTT's Rapid Cemetery Assessment Form
- NCPTT's Assessment Form Definitions
Webinar 5 - Post-Disaster Recovery and Restoration
View the recording here.
In this webinar, we review typical disaster-related deterioration mechanisms, illustrate basic restoration and conservation strategies, and outline restoration issues that will require professional assessment and conservation/repair.
Download handouts from this webinar:
- Presentation Slides
- Resources List
- Treatment Form - also known as a Conservator's Report
Webinar 6 - Building Resiliency in Historic Cemeteries
View the recording here.
A resilient historic cemetery has the capacity to adapt to changing conditions and to prepare for, withstand, and rapidly recover from disruptions—including those brought on by natural disasters. In this webinar, we re-examine all of the key components for building a resilient cemetery. Learn how to set attainable goals in the areas of preservation maintenance, safety, community involvement, and funding support to ensure the cemetery you care about can endure whatever challenge it might face.
Download handouts from this webinar:
ABOUT THIS WEBINAR SERIES
This series of six webinars was produced as part of a training program funded by a grant from the National Park Service’s Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund to address the consequences of Hurricane Harvey on historic properties. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not constitute endorsement or necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior or U.S. Government.
