DAYTIME PAPERS, PANELS, POSTERS, AND HANDS-ON SESSIONS

In addition to the usual conference individual and group presentations, the daytime sessions have included hands­ on activities such as stone carving, creating master plans and educational materials, ground penetrating radar demonstrations, and mapping with aerial drones.  Beginning in 2025, we now have a student poster session.

EVENING LECTURES AND LATE-NIGHT PRESENTATIONS

Evening lectures highlight the most creative and forward-thinking research in gravestone studies. The keynote speaker, fellowship award winner(s), and Forbes recipient give special presentations. Late Night talks offer brief overviews of ongoing projects, humorous discoveries, and (mis)adventures in a convivial gathering.

FIELD TRIPS

Each year conference attendees learn about local stones, carving traditions, shapes, materials, and symbols while touring the cemeteries. Explore small and large cemeteries with new colleagues during these all day trips. The cemeteries reflect the region's material culture, landscapes, and social and cultural histories.

CONSERVATION WORKSHOP

Learn in the field from professional conservators both public and private how to properly document, clean, reset and repair simple, small grave markers . This hands-on workshop will adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Preservation while working in small groups with the instructors. Includes a session on best practices, planning, materials, approaches, and techniques.  THIS IS A BASIC LEVEL WORKSHOP and is not intended for advanced work.

CEMETERY CAMP

From breakfast discussions to Late Night presentations, the AGS annual conference, fondly called "Cemetery Camp,"  is more than the typical scholarly meeting - it is an experience. Join others from around the world to discuss the study, documentation, and preservation of all things connected to cemetery and gravestone studies. The AGS T-shirt is a collector's item!