About this Webinar

Cemeteries should be more than backdrops for ghost tours in October then neglected the rest of the year. They are filled with stories, art, history, and culture that can offer rich content for programming for both local communities and tourists. Cemeteries, the people buried in cemeteries, gravemarkers and monuments, and sites associated with cemeteries have interesting stories that the public is interested in learning about and connecting with. Every community has cemeteries that are under-utilized as cultural resources; yet city and county departments, non-profit organizations, museums, historic preservation commissions, and tourism authorities often fail to include them their inventory of cultural assets or heritage tourism plans. This webinar will help cemetery stewards understand and utilize their historic cemeteries for programming and events that draw locals and visitors into these fascinating spaces.

About the Speaker: Jason Harpe has 25 years of experience in the field of historic preservation in both the public and private sectors and is currently Director of Cemetery Conservation for Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc. He leads workshops on cemetery preservation for historical societies, student groups, museums, churches, and historic preservation organizations, in addition to conserving gravestones and monuments of diverse types in family, church, and municipal cemeteries. He is a Certified Gravestone and Monument Conservator and a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation.

This webinar is sponsored by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

Details

DATE: October 23, 2025

TIME: 3:00 - 4:15 pm EASTERN (Remember to adjust for your time zone)

COST: $25 - Members/$45 - Non-members

ACCESS: You will be provided with instructions on how to access the live event upon registration.

Recording and Captioning

We will record this event. Captioning is provided for the live event.

Learning Outcomes

During this webinar, participants will learn about:

• Discovering the unique history, architecture, and art of local cemeteries, and how these can translate to events
• Different types of cemetery events and programming and the logistics of hosting each kind
• Researching the histories of cemeteries and the people in them to find engaging narratives and themes
• Interpreting cemetery stories accurately and appropriately to visitors of diverse interests and ages
• Incorporating cemeteries into local tourism, culture, and heritage scenes

Book Discount
Registrants will receive a promo code for 30% off A Graveyard Preservation Primer (2nd ed.) by Lynette Strangstad.

Connecting the Content

This webinar will especially help organizations enrolled in STEPS address multiple standards under the Interpretation section of the STEPS program.

The Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (STEPS) from AASLH is a self-study, self-paced assessment tool designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in STEPS review their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against national standards.

Having issues registering? Please contact learn@aaslh.org

Please note AASLH's Notetaking Tools Policy: During webinars and online courses, the use of any AI notetaking tools such as meeting assistants is prohibited to ensure the confidentiality and security of the discussion. Our sessions are automatically recorded and transcribed for participants. AI tools will be removed from events by AASLH staff if they appear. Please contact us at learn@aaslh.org if you need to use AI tools for accessibility reasons.

How to Register for this Event

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.