Cemetery Fencing: Artwork in its Own Right

 In this installment of our October Cemetery Series, we will be discussing fencing. Yes, that’s right! Fences are something we don’t see much of in modern cemeteries, mainly because they make maintenance more complicated, but they were commonplace in historic cemeteries. Here in Tallahassee, both St. John’s Episcopal Cemetery and Old City Cemetery have wonderful examples of Victorian Era ironwork fencing. There are three general types of fencing that you will find in most cemeteries: wrought iron, cast iron, and woven wire. When doing repair work it is very important to understand what type of fencing you are working with. 

Just one example of the ornate fences you 
can find at Old City Cemetery (courtesy of 
Florida Center for Instructional Techonology)

Wrought iron (also called puddled or charcoal iron) is the material commonly used by blacksmiths. It is almost pure iron, but also contains a small amount of glassy slag, which is what causes it to form malleable  linear fibers. Wrought iron is easy to work with and great for delicate artwork. This material does not corrode very easily and is not brittle or very breakable. These characteristics make it great for intricate fence work. Cast iron has a higher carbon content than wrought iron, and can be easily poured into molds. This characteristic makes it good for manufacturing replicated fencing details. However, it is hard and brittle, thus it cannot be shaped by hammering, rolling, or pressing like wrought iron. Woven wire fencing was less expensive than other fencing materials, and oftentimes were much more intricate than our typical chain link type fencing we see today. Unfortunately, their delicate nature means that they are usually not well preserved, and often seen damaged by mowing, vegetation overgrowth, or corrosion. 

Often when we visit cemeteries we will see the fencing painted black. While some fences were most definitely painted black, it wasn’t necessarily the default for all of the fencing. In fact, many fences were elaborately painted with a multitude of colors. When doing fence repair work, it is worthwhile to take the time to try to find the original colors by looking around fasteners and nooks and crannies. Sometimes you may be surprised at what you find. If you have ever taken a stroll through New Orleans, you may have noticed numerous examples of painted cast iron fences adorning the gardens of many of the historic homes. While many think this is a modern occurrence having to do with the colorful culture of the city, this actually depicts quite accurately what many iron fences actually looked like historically.

Fencing was often used to delineate family plots or individual burials. They are one of the unique characteristics of historic cemeteries, rarely seen in more modern cemeteries. Unfortunately, there is a growing elicit market for cemetery gates, fencing, benches and other ironwork. It is important to understand that removing such materials is against the law, as well as extremely disrespectful. Owners and caretakers should take steps to secure all materials. The National Park Service and the Chicora Foundation both have resources available to help preserve and protect these unique historic cemetery features. The first step should include an inventory and photographic documentation of all the fencing within the cemetery. This helps with proper repair should it become damaged and can assist you in identifying items belonging to the cemetery should something be removed. 

Historic fencing is something, along with  historic grave markers, that should be documented and assessed regularly and repaired when necessary. Some of the preservation does require specialized skill, but some can also be done by trained volunteers. The Wisconsin Historical Society hosted a wonderful webinar on the repair and care of ornamental fences. These fences are characteristic of Victorian Era cemeteries, and while many folks tend to pass over them with just a glance, it is definitely worthwhile to stop and admire their beauty and intricate designs. They are truly pieces of art worthy of admiration!