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 he Association for
Gravestone Studies (AGS) was founded in 1977 for the purpose of
furthering the study and preservation of gravestones. AGS is an
international organization with an interest in gravemarkers of all
periods and styles. Through its publications, conferences, workshops
and exhibits, AGS promotes the study of gravestones from historical
and artistic perspectives, expands public awareness of the
significance of historic gravemarkers, and encourages individuals
and groups to record and preserve gravestones. At every opportunity,
AGS cooperates with groups that have similar interests.
More
Information and FAQ sections are provided for the newcomer to gravestone studies.
This section offers answers to basic questions about gravemarkers,
such as, "Gravestone Rubbing Do's and Don'ts", "Tools and Materials
for Gravestone Cleaning Projects", and "Symbolism on Gravemarkers".
Our members have many areas of study or specialization and we strive
to assist the new member in finding the information they seek in an
efficient manner.
 Membership
benefits include the quarterly newsletter, AGS Quarterly
and a monthly e-newsletter. Both feature articles, book reviews,
research material, and items of general interest to AGS members.
Members also receive Markers: Annual Journal of the Association
for Gravestone Studies; discounts on AGS publications; access to
the research clearinghouse and the AGS Lending Library. AGS
has over 1200 members worldwide, including members in England,
Scotland, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands,
Italy, Canada, Japan and Brazil. Please see
News & Notes
to view the featured articles to be found in our next issue.
Membership categories are discussed further in
Join the AGS.
AGS Quarterly: The AGS
Quarterly Editorial Board seeks
feature articles from members. Send your ideas for feature
articles to the AGS office in care of the AGS Quarterly Editorial
Board. Members are also encouraged to send news clippings
about gravestone issues.
Book reviews are also encouraged. To suggest a book for review or
to ask about reviewing a book, write to the Book Review Editor, c/o
AGS, 278 Main St., Suite 207, Greenfield, MA 01301, or send an email
to
info@gravestonestudies.org.
Markers:
Each issue of Markers, the Association's annual scholarly
journal, features definitive illustrated articles on many aspects of
cemeteries and gravemarkers. It also includes the annual
international bibliography, "The Year's Work in Cemetery/Gravemarker
Studies." Markers seeks submissions from scholars
and researchers in all fields. Contact the editor,
June Hadden Hobbs, for
further information and manuscript guidelines. Beginning with
volume 21, each new issue of Markers is automatically shipped
to members. Issues can also be ordered separately (see the complete
list of Markers contents, issues, and prices).
AGS Monthly e-newsletter
The e-newsletter features announcements of upcoming events (AGS and
gravestone/cemetery-related activities sponsored by other
organizations), short articles, special sales, queries, and links to
interesting websites. The e-newsletter is sent to all AGS members,
but back issues can be read by all on our publications
page.
Other
Publications: The Association's
publications also include
A Graveyard
Preservation Primer and the AGS
Field Guide Series. These describe methodologies and
techniques for recording cemetery data, restoring cemeteries and
gravestones, photographing and rubbing gravestones, the use of
graveyards as a teaching resource, and preparing legislation to
protect gravestones from vandalism, theft, and demolition.
Conferences: An annual conference, held the 4th week in June,
features lectures, guided cemetery tours, slide presentations,
exhibits, classes, and documentation and conservation workshops.
This year's Conference and Annual
Meeting was held June 17-22, 2008, at Hampshire College in Amherst,
Massachusetts.
Our
AGS 2009
conference will be held at Union College in Schenectady, NY,
June 23-28, 2009.
Research Clearinghouse: AGS operates a clearinghouse to assist
members involved in research on specific types of gravestones,
carver attribution, symbols and ornamental carving, epitaphs, and
other aspects of gravestone studies. The clearinghouse provides
information to researchers about others engaged in similar research.
Lending Library: For a small rental fee, the Lending Library
provides to members books that are not readily available. AGS
members include amateurs and professionals and public and private
groups active in the fields of history, genealogy, anthropology, art
history, religion, folk art, commemorative art, and historic
preservation.
Archive:
AGS maintains an extensive archive of books, manuscripts, published
and unpublished papers, dissertations, photographs, field notes, and
maps. Donations to and use of the collection are welcome and are
arranged through the AGS office.
Awards and Scholarships: The Forbes Award is
usually, but not necessarily, presented annually by the AGS Board of
Trustees to honor an individual, institution, or organization in
recognition of exceptional service to the field of gravestone
studies. The award is named for Harriette Merrifield Forbes of
Worcester, Massachusetts, who photographed gravestones and studied
their carvers in the early 1900s. In 1927 she published a book
titled Gravestones of Early New England and the Men Who Made Them
which was the first serious study of gravestones in the twentieth
century.
The Forbes Award is
the highest honor bestowed by the Association. The purpose of the
award is to formally honor, show appreciation for, and encourage
outstanding work in the field of gravestone studies. To submit a
nomination, please visit our Forbes Award pages.
The Oakley Award is
presented periodically by the AGS Board of Trustees to individuals
and groups that have helped to advance the mission of the
Association. Named for long-time members Rosalee and Fred Oakley,
the Certificate of Merit is designed to honor those whose work in
the field of gravestone studies may have gone unnoticed or is worthy
of recognition by AGS. The award consists of a certificate
presented by the Board of Trustees as well as a gift of a book to
the honoree's local library in their name and that of AGS.
Whenever possible the award presentation will be made by a local AGS
member. Each year's recipients will have their names printed in the
annual conference book. In addition they will be acknowledged at a
reception held in their honor at the conference. To submit an
Oakley Award Nomination, please visit our
Oakley Award pages.
The Barbara Rotundo Memorial Scholarship to attend the AGS conference
is available to serious students who have evidenced significant
interest in gravestone studies. Please visit our conference
page for more information.
To request an application for next
year's conference, write or
e-mail the AGS
Office c/o Scholarship Committee.
Above: Headstones from the Old
Burying Ground
at Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts.
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