Weathering at the Cleveland Family Monument

Welcome!

At first glance, this may look like a simple tombstone, but the stones here are an open-air geology exhibit. By examining tombstones, you can learn about stone types and weathering. 

President Grover Cleveland spent part of his childhood in Holland Patent, NY, where his father, Richard Cleveland, served as a Presbyterian minister. The family lived here during formative years of the future president’s life, and both of his parents are buried at this location, marking the community’s historical connection to the Cleveland family and its presidential legacy.

There is no physical container here. Instead, your “find” is earned by observing, learning, and answering the logging questions below.

Required Logging Tasks

To log this EarthCache, complete the following tasks:

1. Rock Type Identification

   • Based on your observations, do you think this tombstone is igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary? What features support your answer (e.g., layering, crystal structure, roughness, smoothness)?

2. Weathering Identification

   • What types of weathering is shown on Grover Cleveland's Parents' Tombstone? What evidence of weathering do you observe?

3. Optional Photo

   • Take a picture of yourself or a personal object at the site. Please do not reveal answers in your photo.

Earth Science Lesson

Rock Type Identification

Rocks used in construction are chosen for their strength, durability, and appearance. Geologists classify them into three main groups:

• Igneous Rocks form when molten rock (magma or lava) cools and solidifies. They may show interlocking mineral crystals. Examples: granite, basalt.
• Metamorphic Rocks form when existing rocks are transformed by heat and pressure. They may display foliation (layered banding) or a fine-grained, dense texture. Examples: slate, marble.
• Sedimentary Rocks form from sediments compacted over time. They may show visible layers or grains. Examples: sandstone, limestone.

Weathering Identification

Weathering is the breakdown of stone through biological activity, chemical reactions, or physical forces:

• Biological Weathering - Lichens and mosses produce organic acids that can break down minerals, especially in shaded cracks and crevices where they grow, accelerating decay.
• Chemical Weathering - Slightly acidic rainwater can react with feldspar through hydrolysis, forming clay minerals and releasing ions. This weakens the stone.
• Physical Weathering - Temperature changes can cause stones to expand and contract, forming microcracks. In cold climates, water seeps into these cracks and expands when frozen, gradually breaking the stone apart

Final Thoughts

Stones in our environment are more than construction material—they’re stories from Earth’s history, shaped by natural processes and human hands. 

Thank you for visiting this EarthCache!