Quadrant 1 addressing the material aspects of the “Marie Klinzing” grave marker

Observed Phenomena and Interpretation

1 stone covered in black coating where the surface is least damaged, center of both front and back lack this coating --black gypsum crust

2 rust colored spots near lettering- impurities in the stone

3 many lichens on stone surface, and ivy growing near and attaching to stone- water source nearby allowing for living organisms

4 similar pattern on both front and back of grave marker with less visibility of lettering, more rough and sandy texture, and portions of the stone face flaking off- Spalling (working in-conjunction with chemical weathering-black gypsum crust)

                                                                               


Ranking the Damage

Deterioration in related phenomena 1 and 4 is by far the most serious, followed by 3 as a large amount of lichens are present.

Material Identification

The stone is smooth where less deterioration has taken place and grainy in weathered areas. The color is light grey where not coated in a black gypsum crust. The presence of the black gypsum crust indicates a carbonate based stone. Due to these characteristics the material is most likely limestone. The foundation is concrete. 

Determination of Structure

The shape of the stone is rectangular attached to a triangular apex, topped with an ornamental sculpture; it is similar to the shape of a house. The sides lead down to similar triangular shapes, and finally attach to a triangular base. This base is attached to another base of a different material that is a lighter grey, concrete most likely.

The stone seems to be relatively porous.

Rahn’s Index for Weathering

Based upon this index this grave marker has moderate weathering where the surface is rough but letters are still legible to areas of bad/ very bad weathering where the inscription is almost indistinguishable.

Strategies for gathering more information

During the physical examination some strategies can be implemented to gather further information for analysis. The information gathered by these processes also may relate to Quadrant three, providing more information on the inscription and therefore the history of the object as well as Quadrant 2 because it aides in the study of deterioration; moreover, I find it most relevant to the observation phase of consultation.

If the grave marker happens to be in poor lighting or deterioration leads to difficulty reading the inscription, or observing details and phenomena occurring on the surface of the stone a couple techniques may be implemented.

Technique 1 Rubbing, this technique will allow you to transfer surface texture onto paper, picking up on something you eyes may not see. Note: This technique is not conservation safe and is not permitted in some cemeteries as it can further damage weathered stone; however, this prohibition was not mentioned on the postings at Mt. Hope Cemetery or on the website (“FAQ”.)

Materials: paper, tape and wax crayon

 Rubbing Demonstration 
Technique 2 Using a Mirror, this technique directs sunlight onto the grave marker so that more light illuminates details on the surface and in crevices. It can be very useful in trying to read inscriptions especially in areas of shade (“Preservation.”)

Mirror Technique Demonstration
Preservation evaluation

It appears that no preservation attempts have been made to the gravestone; however, the gravesite is well kept. The deterioration is uneven and the stone will most likely continue to deteriorate in the same manner, losing more of the inscription and iconography. Thankfully, the foundation seems to be made of concrete and is not failing as of now.

Quadrant 2 addressing the material aspects of this type of grave marker  

Material Properties

Sandstone is composed of sand grains in a mineral binder often silica and/or calcium carbonate. It is very porous and comes in a range of colors including tan, brown, yellow, red, grey and white.

Deterioration Studies

1Black Crust- Chemical Weathering due to Atmospheric environment

1. Calcium carbonate in limestone (or marble) dissolves from the high acidity in the rain water of Rochester, NY, caused by pollution putting sulfur dioxide into the air.
2. This reaction causes insoluble salts, in this case calcium sulfate, to re-precipitate on the surface of the stone. Often times other pollutants in the rain water cause further color change when incorporated into the gypsum ("Material Name: Gypsum").
3. Due to the depleted layer between the calcium carbonate and crust Spalling then occurs, where the surface of the stone simply falls away.

2 Rust marks- Chemical Weathering/ Choice of Materials

* *Due to impurities like iron in the stone working in combination with water (hydrolysis) from the ground and the atmosphere, evaporation at the surface of the stone transmits deposits carried by the water through the porous capillary structure of the stone.

3. Algae, lichens and ivy- Biological Deterioration

The presence of these indicates a regular supply of water. It is debatable as to whether these retard or enhance weathering; however, plant life like ivy has been known to attach itself and break up stone, especially the mortar of brick structures.

4 Dissolution of surface- Chemical Weathering

Minerals in the stone will dissolve evenly causing protruding grains on the surface to have a sugary feel. Inscriptions will have rounded edges.

Quadrant 3- History of the Gravestone

The inscription

on the front it reads:

Marie

Catt…Von

Louis Klinzing

Gebore en Rostock (translates to ‘Born in Rostock’ which is located in Germany(JC)) 

5. Mar 1802

B.T..........188 ?

The back :

Mother

Iconography :
Some of the iconography includes flowers which can represent “brevity of earthly existence” as well as  emotions like sorrow, aspirations, and attitudes that can be both religious and secular; however, in combination with the cross imagery alluding to salvation, it can be assumed that Marie Klinzing was a Christian woman (Rotundo, Gabel, and Duval 1-4).

 
Biographical Information of Marie Klinzing:

Based upon the gravestone it can be acknowledged that Marie was a mother, a wife to Louis Klinzing, and was born in Rostock, Germany on March 5^th, 1802. The couple most likely immigrated to the United States from Germany; Louis Klinzing’s marker also has traces of an inscription “Gebore…burg” meaning born in what we can assume is a German town (as the full name is too deteriorated to distinguish). Observing the size and decorative nature of these gravestones one may be able to infer that this family was well-off.

 More information can be found from the Mount Hope Cemetery’s record books from this time period. Louis Klinzing’s gravestone and personal information, is recorded in this book and tells us that he died of lung disease at 60 years and 8 months. Unfortunately no record could be found for Marie’s information; however, Louis’s record tells us that they lived on Hickory Street in Rochester, close to their final resting place at Mt. Hope.

 Louis died June 8, 1881, at this point Marie would have been 79 years old. This information implies Marie was a significant amount older than Louis unless the records are wrong; moreover, it is hard to say with the deterioration pattern of the inscription on the twin gravestone. It is likely that Marie died around this time period, in the late 19^th century as well.
History of the Gravestone in Mt. Hope Cemetery

As records indicate Louis Klinzing was interred in 1881 in section D1 of Mt Hope cemetery, one of the oldest sections. Most likely both stones were purchased and installed either slightly before or around this date.

Before their internment at Mount Hope Cemetery both Louis and Marie Klinzing would have witnessed its booming activity as pleasure grounds, especially living just around the corner. More than likely this was a place in which they enjoyed themselves as well. The style of the their twin gravestones reflects Victorian era funerary art of the time in both ornament, form and choice of materials. 

Quadrant 4- The History of Mount Hope

Mount Hope Cemetery was formed in part out of the rapid urban growth of Rochester New York in the 19^th century, from 1,000 people in 1817 its population grew to 10,000 by 1836 (Thomas and Rosenburg-Naparsteck). Church yards were no longer large enough to allow for the death rate; and many feared issues of public health with the numerous deaths from cholera and other communicable diseases. At this time several other northeastern cities were also developing “rural cemeteries,” like Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Boston that would evolve to serve the communities needs in a variety of ways (Thomas and Rosenburg-Naparsteck).

Mt. Hope Cemetery was dedicated in 1838 as Americas first municipal Victorian Cemetery and like many other rural cemeteries it became a place of cultural importance. Like the founders of Mt Auburn stated as their intentions with their picturesque landscape where visitors can “indulge in the dreams of hope and ambition or solace their hearts by melancholy meditation,” Mt Hope began with similar simple and romantic ideals (Linden-Ward 295). It evolved to be green space for recreation, socialization, stunning views and eventually a well visited tourist destination.

Across the 198 acre site, where over 375,000 Rochesterians have been laid to rest, many examples of Victorian era funerary art as well as architecture influenced by neoclassical and Egyptian styles are visible ("America's First Municipal"). With beautiful scenery, sculpture and architecture it is no wonder people flocked to this site to walk the hilly landscape in the 19^th century, and continue to do so today. 

Works Cited

“America’s First Municipal Victorian Cemetery.” Friends of Mount Hope. N.p., 2009. Web. 11 Oct. 2011.

“FAQ.” Gravestonestudies.org. The Assn for Gravestone Studies, 2005. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. <http://www.gravestonestudies.org/?faq.htm#Some Gravestone Rubbings Dos and Don’ts>.

JC, Jessica. “Marie Klinzing.” Findagrave.com. N.p., 13 July 2010. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://www.findagrave.com/?cgi-bin/?fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=54926901>.

Linden-Ward, Blanche. Cemeteries and Gravemarkers Voices of American Culture. Logan: Utah State UP, 1992. mycourses.rit.edu. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. <https://mycourses.rit.edu/?d2l/?lms/?content/?viewer/?main_frame.d2l?ou=351118&tId=1930680>.

“Material Name: Gypsum Crust.” Cameo.mfa.org. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 6 Aug. 2010. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://cameo.mfa.org/?browse/?record.asp?key=2171&subkey=4403&materialname=g&browse=1&search_displaycount=10000&search_start=1>.

“Mt Hope and Riverside Cemetery Records.” River Campus Libraries. U of Rochester, 2011. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lib.rochester.edu/?IN/?RBSCP/?Databases/?IMAGES/?MtHope/?disc1/?00000574.pdf>.

“Preservation.” Gravestonestudies.org. The Assn for Gravestone Studies, 2005. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. <http://gravestonestudies.org/?preservation.htm>.

Rotundo, Barbara, Laurel Gabel, and Francis Duval. “Symbolism in the Carvings on Old Gravetones.” Symbols on Gravestones and Their Interpretation. Adobe Acrobat Document file.

Thomas, W. Stephen, and Ruth Rosenburg-Naparsteck. “Sleepers’ City the Sesquicentennial History of My. Hope Cemetery.” Rochester History L.4 (1988): 1-24. Mycourses.rit.edu. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. <https://mycourses.rit.edu/?d2l/?lms/?content/?viewer/?main_frame.d2l?ou=351118&tId=1930680>.