About us
We will clean historic gravestones in and around Lexington, Virginia and Rockbridge County as a public service at no cost.
We use a cleaning product called Gravestone Monument Cleaner, a non-toxic fungicide that is ph neutral and does no harm to the stones. Gravestone Monument Cleaner is the agent used to clean gravestones in US military cemeteries.
The Gravestone Monument Cleaner costs about $50 a gallon. While there is no fee for membership or participation in this group, we do need to raise money through donations to sustain our work.
personal check to:
James River Hikers
c/o Dennis Bussey
160 Kendal Drive, Cottage 1008
Lexington, VA 24450
This YouTube video describes the process we'll follow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oz3Ar2mM1s
Everything will be provided including gloves but you may want to bring your own. A step ladder will be helpful for taller stones if you have one.
This project will be led by Dennis Bussey who has performed similar Meetups over 55 times at Richmond Virginia's Shockoe Hill Cemetery.
The link below provides more information about the cemetery and includes this statement:
"Shockoe Hill Cemetery is the final resting place of many famous people. These include Revolutionary War hero Peter Francisco, Chief Justice John Marshall, and Union Spy Elizabeth Van Lew to name a few. Intermingled with them are the elite, the working class, and the poor."
https://shockoehillcemetery.org/our-residents/
Here is a representative example of one of those Meetups performed by James River Hikers - Hiking with History.
# Nov. 29, 2 pm: Restore Gravestones at Shockoe Hill Cemetery #42
Upcoming events
13
June 6, 8 am: Community Service - Clean headstones
Oxford Presbyterian Church, 143 Oxford Lane, Lexington, VA, USThis event will be held only if Community Service participants sign up. None have signed up as of April 27.
We will clean headstones at Oak Grove Cemetery.
This YouTube video describes the process we follow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WdUSzKcmjs
All supplies and equipment will be provided.
We will use Gravestone Monument Cleaner, a non-toxic fungicide that is pH neutral and does not harm stones, as a cleaning product.
1 attendee
June 9, 10:15 am: LDS Elders & Sisters clean headstones
Oak Grove Cemetery, 316 S Main St, Lexington, VA, USWe will clean headstones at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington.
This YouTube video describes the process we follow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WdUSzKcmjs
All supplies and equipment will be provided.
We will use Endurance Gravestone Monument Cleaner, a non-toxic fungicide that is pH neutral and does not harm stones, as a cleaning product.
Teams of 3-5 volunteers dedicating 2 hours can clean at least 25 veteran-sized headstones.
LDS Elders and Sisters will volunteer for this Meetup.
1 attendee
July 9, 7:00 pm Follow up Charlton family - OGC
Oak Grove Cemetery, 316 S Main St, Lexington, VA, USThe following was posted 6 months ago May 9, 2025.
This Nov. 6, 2025 Meetup is a follow up to recall and record activities that have occurred these past 6 months.
13 Charlton family gravestones at Lexington's Oak Grove Cemetery have been cleaned 6 times and are completed.
Family member John Willis requested we provide this service.
john.wills@prenticegate.com|
John Wills
Founder & Principal
+1 (678) 662-7555
| www.prenticegate.com |
| -------------------- |
|This Meetup completes my work there. The following email was sent to John Willis May 9, 2025.
You’re welcome John. It’s a honor for the opportunity to do this. I’ve included updated photos of each of the 13 in Find A Grave. Example for Otho Charlton Jackson
photo
I added the 2 veterans to VeteranGraves.comPrivate John A. Jackson
photo
William Corbin Charlton
photoAs I’ve noted before, this headstone of Charles C. K. located on the far right of the 9 headstones is disconnected from its base and is vulnerable to toppling over.
photo
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to observe the resetting of the headstones when you schedule it. While I don’t do that work myself, I’ve had hands-on experience in working with a nationally respected professional who restores gravestones.
Observing resetting your family stones would be helpful, as I frequently encounter other locals who will benefit.
And finally, please allow me to host you and your family whenever you are in Lexington. I live just 3 miles from the cemetery and reside at Kendal At Lexington which has a dining facility the rivals any local fine restaurant.
Here are before and after pictures. Note in the second photo that at least 5 are visibly leaning.
2 photosOn May 8, 2025, at 6:35 PM, John Wills <john.wills@prenticegate.com> wrote:
>
> Dennis -
> Outstanding work! We are very grateful for the service you and your other volunteers provide.
> FYI - We are having all the headstones that are leaning reset on a new foundations.
> I hope to get up there in a few months and see your work in person. My father was there about a month ago and is very happy!
>
> Regards,
> John1 attendee
Past events
232
Group links
Members
23
