DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – In conjunction with Door County History Days, about a dozen people are getting a better look into the past by cleaning some of the headstones at a cemetery north of Egg Harbor.
A flattened headstone represents one of the first-known burials at the Juddville Cemetery. The one-acre cemetery is also home to Caroline Morton, the niece of President Abe Lincoln.
But since 1878, markers at many of the 60 gravesites are showing their age.
“They’ve been neglected. The lichens, the moss, debris is growing on them. And you cannot even read the names or the dates.” said Laurie Buske, Gibraltar Historical Association Director.
Buske says some people want to help by cleaning the old headstones.
“Everyone just thinks — go to your cupboard and get out your cleaning products and go on down. And that is the worst thing you can possibly do.”
Buske says a government-recommended biological solution called D/2 works best.
She sprays the stone first with water, then applies a second coat of D/2. After a 10-minute wait, using a plastic scraper and natural brush will get results. D/2 is available online for about $70 a gallon.
“If you do not have D/2, water, just use water,” Buske said.
Rich Laddusire from Rhinelander watched the demonstration. He says he plans to work on the family’s plots.
“I have a great uncle who died in World War II, and his tombstone is bad. And then I got some relatives down in Austin, Minnesota who also have tombstones that are about in this bad shape, that need to be cleaned.”.
Sandra Dirks from Egg Harbor agrees. Her great grandfather and Civil War Veteran Nicholas Kill is buried at Juddville Cemetery.
“I appreciate what my elders did by settling someplace, contributing to the community. And I would hope that my descendants would also have that same appreciation for the people who are living now.”
“It’s the right thing to do. I love history, and I love the stories. And we need to save those stories,” said Buske.
Door County History Days wraps up on Sunday.
