REMEMBER - Carved Lettering EarthCache

ALWAYS WALK LIGHTLY UPON CEMETERY GROUNDS
SHOWING RESPECT FOR THOSE RESTING HERE

OAK HILL CEMETERY

EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS

Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. ...  "Geocachers must complete the tasks before they log the EarthCache as found." (4.3. EarthCache logging tasks)

Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:

Oak Hill Cemetery was established Dec 1883 by Phillip Webster, a local undertaker, on the hillside the Lincoln Farm. In 1885 eight more acres from the Raub Farm was added, making it 17 acres. By 1896, nearly 1900 people were buried here. A Civil War soldiers plot was added in 1907; Firemen's plot was added in 1909. The transfer of bodies from Littleton Burial Grounds in Bradford started in 1885. By 2003, 120 years later, over 16, 000 are buried here. Oak Hill overlooks Bradford, PA. Currently, Oak Hill Cemetery has 30 acres, 7,000 markers, and 13,000 internments.

Park outside the gate. Then walk to the gravestones. Although you can drive to the posted coordinates, it is not an easy drive.

Use the Visual Classification to indicate the level of gravestone deterioration.
All the gravestones are made of sandstone. Dates of passing range from 1889-1921.
Begin with the first gray gravestone. It is to the left of the white stone at the posted coordinates.
View each of the 28 gravestones along the perimeter (roadside). This will take 5-10 minutes.
The lettering you will be observing is on the side and includes the dates.

1. MESSAGE …. For each gravestone a. what is the number indicating the level of deterioration? / b. what is the date of death? ... .1 ?? / 2. ?? / 3 ?? / 4 ?? / 5 ?? / 6 ?? / 7 ?? / 8 ?? / 9 ?? / 10 ?? / 11 ?? / 12 ?? / 13 ?? / 14 ?? / 15 ?? / 16 ?? / 17 ?? / 18 ?? / 19 ?? / 20 ?? / 21 ?? / 22 ?? / 23 ?? / 24 ?? / 25 ?? / 26 ?? / 27 ?? / 28 ?? ... Indicate which system you are using (Meierding 1993 -or- Rahn 1971)

2. MESSAGE …. Based on observations, assess the use of the Visual Classification system to determine degree of weathering.

3. MESSAGE …. Based on observations, is there a correlation between degree of weathering and date of passing?

4. MESSAGE …. Hypothesize why all the stones are in the same location, but show varying degrees of granular disintengration.

5. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item at or near the posted coordinates. This picture is your log signature. No spoiler pictures.

OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in finding and creating this earthcache by adding A B C to your log.

A. Visit a memorial honoring our fallen heroes. Post a picture at the memorial. Label picture with name and location of memorial. 

B. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.

C. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you ... prose / story / poem / picture. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.

Journeys of Heart and Mind ... 
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story

THANK YOU John Watson (President Oak Hill Cemetery Association) for permission to share this learning adventure.

Union Soldier overlooking grave sites of those who served in the Civil War.
The war began when the Confederates bombarded Union soldiers 
at Fort Sumter, South Carolina on April 12, 1861. 
The war ended in Spring, 1865.

CARVED LETTERING

The deterioration of carved lettering gives a qualitative measure of gravestone weathering.

VISUAL CLASSIFICATION ... Meierding 1993

1. Lettering is sharp and distinct
2. Lettering is slightly rounded but still legible and clear
3. Lettering is legible but rounded with some edges clearly removed
4. Lettering is rounded with all or most original edges removed. It is still legible, but becoming more indistinct from the surface of the grave
5. Lettering is still just about legible, but now almost indistinguishable from the surface of the gravestone
6. Lettering has virtually disappeared

VISUAL CLASSIFICATION ... Rahn 1971

1. Lettering sharp and distinct. 
2. Lettering slightly rounded showing evidence of some removal of grains. Still legible and cleat though.
3. Lettering rounded. Edges clearly being removed and some original edges removed completely. Still legible and clear.
4. Lettering rounded. All or most original edges removed, but lettering still legible, but increasingly becoming indistinct from the surface of gravestone.
5. Lettering disintegrating. Lettering still just about legible, but now almost indistinguishable from the surface of the gravestone.
6. What lettering? Lettering virtually disappeared. Need to be able to make out date to be able to date period over which lettering has disappeared.

GRANULAR DISINTEGRATION

Granular Disintegration aka Sugaring is predominantly found on sandstones. Indicators of this weathering phenomenon are ... Surface grains come loose from the gravestone. This feels like sand or sugar to the touch. Lettering becomes rounded. 

RESOURCES 
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/45651/oak-hill-cemetery#:~:text=Oak%20Hill%20overlooks%20Bradford%2C%20PA,1900%20people%20were%20buried%20here.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12665-012-1642-y
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/earth-sciences/impact/public-engagement/londons-geology/londons-geology-fieldwork/st-pancras-gardens/gravestone
https://woodlandcemeteryhistory.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/weathering-stone-a-love-story/
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/photos-old-guard-places-flags-at-arlington-national-cemetery-headstones-ahead-of-memorial-day/16266/

This series is dedicated to my dad who served in World War II.

GOD’S PROMISE …. A MOTHER’S LOVE
Told by my uncle (Joseph) ... And my father (Anthony)

Family was seated around the table on Thanksgiving Day when my uncle related why he and his brother returned home safely from the war.

Unbeknownst to my uncle aboard the carrier transporting him across the Atlantic, his ship was targeted by an underwater submarine. There were flashes in the distance that he later learned was the submarine being destroyed.

While stationed in Europe, his base was targeted by enemy fire. He awoke to the sound of the thundering of bombs exploding and saw the dark sky turn bright as the noonday sun. Men were scrambling for safety, but he remained seated with a peace that passeth all understanding. When the carnage was over, he looked down. There was a piece of shrapnel lodged just above his heart, but had not penetrated through his clothing.

Similarly, unbeknownst to my father aboard the carrier transporting him across the Pacific, his ship was targeted by an underwater submarine. There were flashes in the distance that he later learned was the submarine being destroyed.

My father loved to be amongst nature whenever and wherever. One day he was comfortably seated below a tree in the jungles of Australia. He laid his helmet beside him and was enjoying the peace of the moment. When it was time to leave, he reached for his helmet but was guided to look within before placing it upon his head. There sat a poisonous spider which would have surely been his demise. He dislodged the spider and returned to camp.

One day while on her knees communing with the Creator, my grandmother prayed for her sons to return home safely. She arose from prayer knowing God’s hand was upon her sons and they would return unharmed.

And so it was, many close encounters, but my uncle and my father each made it safely home. It was there the two brothers learned of God’s Promise and their Mother’s Love.