Upstate Resident Restores Abandoned Historical Headstones
A Northern New York woman has cleaned thousands of gravestones since 2020 while building a global preservation community.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Home Cleaning
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Since 2020, Northern New York resident Allyson Stephenson has cleaned more than 3,000 abandoned headstones across Upstate New York. Her work, which included cleaning over 400 stones in 2026, has garnered a following of 1 million people online.
Why it matters
The effort began as a way for Stephenson to manage cabin fever while isolating due to an autoimmune condition. It has since evolved into a coordinated preservation movement through her nonprofit, GraveGeeks.
Stephenson uses a pH-neutral D/2 Biological Solution for cleaning, which costs $200 per five-gallon jug. She oversees 105 volunteers across the United States, Canada, and Norway.
The players
Allyson Stephenson
She is a medically retired nurse who resides in Northern New York and co-founded a nonprofit organization.
GraveGeeks
This is a nonprofit organization that coordinates cemetery preservation efforts among volunteers.
The details
Stephenson uses buckets, soft-bristled brushes, and scrapers to restore markers after obtaining permission from local governments or historical societies. She further conducts historical research on the deceased using tools like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and FindaGrave.com.
Timeline
Stephenson started her headstone cleaning journey in 2020.
The year 2026 saw the completion of 400 headstone cleanings.
Culture Shift
This work reflects the broader trend of citizen-led historical digital genealogy by connecting physical preservation with online archival research. It highlights a move toward grassroots stewardship of public heritage sites that might otherwise fall into permanent disrepair.
Residents interested in historical preservation can contact local historical societies or cemetery associations to request cleaning services. The work serves as a reminder for families to check on the conditions of ancestral plots in their local community.
The takeaway
Maintaining historical grave markers helps keep regional narratives alive for future generations to explore. Beginners should always secure legal permission from cemetery boards before attempting to clean or move any stone.
Further reading
Discover more about local preservation efforts in the Home Cleaning section.
More information
To join the preservation network or volunteer for local cemetery projects, visit the GraveGeeks nonprofit volunteer and support portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
Live Poll
Do you believe citizens should take responsibility for maintaining abandoned historical gravesites in their local communities?
