Cemetery Preservation

Cemeteries are important historical assets that tell about a community's past. They hold valuable resources for historical and genealogical research. More importantly, they are monuments to the people who once inhabited our communities.

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) provides support to communities across the commonwealth to assist with the preservation and care of cemeteries and gravestones. Through seminars that teach best practices in cemetery preservation and educational materials that provide guidance and instruction to local citizens, KHS partners with communities to preserve and promote this important part of the state's history and heritage.

Program Services

Kentucky Cemeteries Database
The Cemetery Preservation Program's database of registered cemeteries is a continuation of the work started by the Attorney General's Office in 2000. This database is a compliment to the reference library's database currently available on this site. The historical information contained here (as much as possible considering space restrictions,) details the cemetery name and location, sorted by county name and will be updated quarterly as additional cemeteries are added. This online resource is available here.

Census of Kentucky's Cemeteries
The Cemetery Preservation Program is continuing the work begun by the Kentucky Attorney General's 2001 Cemetery Task Force to develop a comprehensive survey of all cemeteries and burial sites in the state. Cites, county historical societies, and other organizations are encouraged to work with us to develop a database that will provide a permanent record of Kentucky's cemeteries and burial sites. Click on the link below to access the census form.

Cemetery Census Form

Cemetery Preservation and Education Project
The program provides ongoing resources to Kentucky's citizens and organizations that are interested in the protection and preservation of our historic cemeteries and gravesites.

The program provides:

Educational materials about appropriate cleaning and repairing techniques for old gravestones

Seminars and symposia that bring together professionals and interested individuals to discuss preservation issues and techniques as well as the historical and cultural significance of Kentucky's cemeteries and gravesites

Support for projects that highlight the educational and historical significance of our state's cemeteries

Advocacy across the state for the continued care and preservation of our historic cemeteries

For more information, contact Ann Johnson, anng.johnson@ky.gov, or 502-564-1792, ext. 4404.

Cemetery Preservation Workshops

Each cemetery preservation workshops includes discussions on Kentucky cemetery laws; access to family cemeteries; attorney general’s opinions relating to descendants’ access rights; deed information and how it relates to the inclusion or exclusion of cemeteries; preservation efforts, including cleaning, repairing and mapping a cemetery; registration of a cemetery with the Kentucky Historical Society’s Cemetery Preservation Database; and the introduction of two new programs, the Kentucky Historical Society’s Pioneer Cemetery program and the Kentucky Historical Society’s Adopt-a-Cemetery program.

Each workshop is located in a different cluster of counties, but residents of any county are welcome to attend any workshop:

Saturday, April 13, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Wayne, McCreary, Whitley, Bell and Knox counties
Williamsburg Tourism Center
650 S. 10th St. (Exit 11 from I-75), Williamsburg

Saturday, April 20, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Leslie, Clay, Harlan, Letcher, Perry, Knott and Breathitt counties
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
700 College Road, Cumberland

Saturday, April 27, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Johnson, Magoffin, Floyd, Martin and Pike counties
Ramada Inn
624 James Trimble Blvd., Paintsville

Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Carter, Boyd, Greenup, Lawrence and Elliott counties
Carter Caves State Resort Park
344 Caveland Drive, Olive Hill

Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Madison, Estill, Powell, Wolfe, Lee, Jackson and Owsley counties
Central Bank
350 West Main St., Richmond

Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Clark, Montgomery, Bath, Menifee, Morgan and Rowan counties
Clark County Extension Service Office
1400 Fortune Drive, Winchester

Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Fleming, Lewis, Nicholas and Robertson counties
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
10299 Maysville Road, Carlisle

Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Wayne, Pulaski, Laurel, Russell, Casey, Lincoln, Rockcastle, Garrard and Adair counties
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
5465 State Park Road, Jamestown

Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. - noon
Edmonson, Hart and Green counties
Hart County Public Library
500 E. Third St., Munfordville

Saturday, July 27, 2013, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Monroe, Clinton and Cumberland counties
Dale Hollow State Resort Park
5970 State Park Road, Burkesville

Each workshop is free, but preregistration is required. Contact Ann G. Jonson at 502-564-1792, ext. 4404 or anng.johnson@ky.gov by the Monday prior to each workshop to register.

These workshops are made possible with support from the Steele-Reese Foundation and the KHS Foundation.