Gravestone repairs still in works, officials say

A planned restoration of Dunn Cemetery headstones damaged in early September is still in the approval stages, said Mia Williams, director of landscape architecture for the University Architect’s Office.

Five gravestones in the cemetery, located near the Indiana Memorial Union and Beck Chapel, were knocked down by vandals on Sept. 4.

Because of the severity of the damage, Williams said a local stone restoration firm must be hired to make the repairs.

Williams said she contacted Austin Memorial Arts, based in Bloomfield, Ind., who quoted the damage as less than $1,000.

The proposed plan would include anchoring the damaged monuments together with a metal rod, Williams said, which would prevent them from being damaged in the future.
Williams said she has not yet gone through the final steps of getting the contracted
work approved.

“We never actually closed the loop, so I need to follow up with them and make sure that’s what they want,” Williams said.

Williams said once the loop is closed, a purchase order will put through for the work. Since the amount quoted for the restoration is relatively low, it shouldn’t take long, she said.

“Hopefully they’ll get it done within a week,” Williams said.

— Claire Wiseman