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SFA to host Preserve America Workshop


Stephen F. Austin State University will host the Preserve America Workshop: Cemetery Preservation-Tourism on Friday, March 12, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center, Room 2.106.

The workshop begins at 11 a.m. with lectures on cemetery preservation, cemetery access and tourism readiness, followed by a field trip to a local monument company. The workshop will conclude with a headstone identification seminar from 3 to 4 p.m.

Speakers include: Dr. Perky Beisel, assistant professor of history; Dr. William Forbes, assistant professor of geography; Dr. Chay Runnels, assistant professor of human sciences; and Dr. George Avery, cultural heritage research coordinator.

"The workshop is for those interested in preserving our historic cemeteries and understanding about the importance of cemeteries to heritage tourism," said Runnels, program coordinator. "We are excited to bring this workshop to the public, and I am looking forward to a great day of networking and learning."

The workshop is part of a larger Preserve America Cemetery preservation grant. The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Chay Runnels at runnelsc@sfasu.edu.