Perpetual Care: A Sustainable Approach to Restoring the Lost Landscapes of America's Rural Cemeteries

During the mid 19th century burial practices in America evolved drastically with the creation of “rural” cemeteries. These burial grounds became incredibly popular didactic landscapes that were physical manifestations of contemporary Victorian social forces. Many of these historic landscapes are in need of conservation and restoration in order to preserve what remains. This thesis project lays out the significance of these sites, and provides a guide to restoring the character defining features of these cemeteries.