Casey Stuart, a local preservationist and president of the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans, will discuss “Tips for Cleaning Grave Markers” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and is open to the public.

During the presentation, Stuart will discuss the following points.

1. What kind of stone is the marker and is the stone cleanable? Most grave markers are made of sandstone, slate, marble, limestone or granite. Stuart says that the type of stone will determine what technique should be used to clean it.

2. Strategies for cleaning. Stuart says that the first rule when cleaning a grave marker is to be patient and gentle. The overall objective is to not harm the stone.

3. Tools needed to clean a grave marker. Stuart will discuss various types and sizes of brushes, as well as the softness of the brushes used. He will discuss natural bristle brushes as well as plastic versions. He’ll also focus on plastic scrapers as a way to remove biological activity.

Casey Stuart worked for more than 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and retired in 2003. After retiring, he went to Tulane University where he earned a Master Degree in Preservation Studies. He currently teaches a course on Historical New Orleans at The Sharing Program at St. Francis Xavier Church in Metairie and has previously taught New Orleans History for The People Program of New Orleans. He is President of the Louisiana Landmarks Society and Second Vice-President of the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans. He is a specialist in the architectural history of New Orleans, and he has lectured extensively on New Orleans history and architecture topics and on the historic cemeteries of New Orleans.

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.