The ten acres that comprise the physical grounds of the Masonic Cemetery conceal secrets both large and small. For example, tombstones have been found that had been buried by vandals (Yup, it happens.) Or by nature.

 

Earlier this month, the landscape crew was clearing a rather overgrown section when they came upon two tombstone monuments that had not been noticed for years. Nobody recalled seeing them except Landscape Manager Wendi Kuchera years ago.  

 

In another case, Wendi and the crew were digging blackberries out of an early plot (first burial 1899), and ended up exposing concrete ledgers (flat slabs of concrete sometimes used to cover graves). Over time, nature had blown layers of dirt over the ledgers and grass grew on that. Nobody associated with the cemetery knew the ledgers were there. Some have writing, some don't. 

 

We have maintained for years that the cemetery is a living entity, and such "finds" only reinforce that concept. 

 

Are you surprised to know that the type of stone selected for a monument has a story to tell?

While working on a classical column monument with a master stone carver, the topic of selection of the best type of material for the purpose at hand arose. When you look at a grave marker or other civic monument, look closely, as it tells a story of its own beyond the carved symbols.

The master carver commented that while he prefers to work in granite, limestone, and marble, the correct selection of the type of stone  depends upon the purpose and location of the work. Granite is very difficult to work, slower than limestone, and not susceptible to bruising as marble. Close inspection of granite is required to align the grain vertically for columns and horizontally for lintels and headers to preserve the structural integrity of the piece as installed.

Granite may become obscured because of the color and texture of the stone. When it comes to durability nothing is stronger than granite. It will withstand acid rain, time, cold, heat, and thaw conditions. It is almost impervious to the weathering that the stone has to endure.

Limestone is a very soft stone. Limestone, sandstone and those types get quite weathered after about 100 years, whereas a piece of granite will look just as good as the day it was carved and will preserve very well long after a century. Both stones generally have a very visible grain or layering created as the sediments were deposited and compressed.

If figurative work is involved marble is the selection of choice for interior locations where it's protected from weather. It has properties of transparency and translucence to give it a life-like quality not found in limestone or granite, and it does not have a fine grain. It is not good for outdoor locations, but it is wonderful indoors.

The next time you are considering a piece of stonework, take a moment to consider the location and use that may have led to the material selected by the carver. It is more than just a stone. It tells another story beyond what to buy.

If you have visited a museum in Oregon, attended an arts performance, tuned into public radio, or appreciated the preservation of our state's history, it's likely that you've benefited from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

The Cultural Trust was created by the state legislature in 2002 to fund culture in the state into perpetuity. Currently, more than 1,400 nonprofits, including the Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association, are eligible to receive funds from the Cultural Trust.

Those funds are provided by Oregonians like you who receive an Oregon tax credit for their donation to the Cultural Trust. Spreading the word about how easy it is to take advantage of the tax credit is how we grow funding for statewide culture. Here's how it works:

Your Cultural Trust contribution comes back to you in the form of a decreased tax bill or potentially an increased refund. You just doubled the impact of your contribution at no additional cost to you!

As you continue to support the Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association with your generous contributions, we hope you'll also match your donation with a gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust to strengthen funding for all of the cultural organizations that protect our great state's famous quality of life.

If mailing in a donation, it must be postmarked by December 31. I f you wish you can also donate online to the Oregon Cultural Trust  by clicking here The December 31 deadline applies here too.

 

*Up to $500 for an individual, $1,000 for couples filing jointly.