Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2009

MEDIA ADVISORY

Cemetery Preservation Workshop Scheduled for March 28th

(McKinney, TX) -- On Saturday, March 28, 2009, a member of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and a representative from THC’s cemetery preservation program will present information about the Historic Texas Cemetery designation and RIP Guardian program. The how-to’s of basic grave marker maintenance and cleaning will be included in the presentation. Sponsored by the Collin County Historical Commission, the workshop will be held at the Chambersville Community Center from 10am—3pm. Registration is 9:45—10am.

Chambersville is located on CR 206, northwest of McKinney. (US 75 north of McKinney, take exit 43 toward FM 543/Weston road, turn left on FM 543/Weston Rd, turn right at County Road 206, stay on 206 approx. 2 miles-Chambersville Community Center is on left.)

Pre-registration is required and the only cost to attend is $10 for lunch. Register by emailing collinhistory@yahoo.com ; include your name, address, and phone number.

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is dedicated to helping volunteers preserve the approximately 50,000 historic cemeteries throughout Texas, most of which are eligible for historic designation. The THC developed the Historic Cemetery designation to address illegal destruction of historic cemeteries by recording site data in written deed records and on county appraisal maps. The THC’s RIP (record, investigate, protect) Guardian program is a statewide network of cemetery preservation volunteers dedicated to recordation, sensitive maintenance and raising awareness of these historic sites.

Anne Shelton is the coordinator of the RIP Guardian program, a cemetery preservation program of the Texas Historical Commission. Ms. Shelton provides technical assistance and training to the RIP Guardian volunteers across Texas dedicated to preserving historic cemeteries.

Ms. Shelton received a bachelor of art in Anthropology and a bachelor of art in film Studies from the University of Kansas at Lawrence. She serves as a board member of the Texas Archive of the Moving Image and is a member of Save Austin’s Cemeteries.

Annette Bethke is the Program Specialist for the Historic Texas Cemetery Designation program of the Texas Historical Commission; the Historic Cemetery designation is an official recognition of family and community graveyards and encourages preservation of historic cemeteries. Ms. Bethke processes the HTC applications and assists applicants with completion of the application process.

Ms. Bethke has worked at the THC for eight years and in the Cemetery Preservation program for four years. She is also actively involved in living history activities throughout the country.

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