ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — 815 Stone Scrubbers, a volunteer group, is working to preserve history by cleaning veteran gravestones across Winnebago County. The current focus is on Civil War-era graves, with an aim to honor those who served and ensure their memorials last for at least another 100 years.
The group’s efforts are concentrated on Civil War veterans, primarily at Greenwood Cemetery and Cedar Bluff Cemetery, which hold the majority of Civil War veteran burials in the area. These preservation activities are part of a broader commitment to maintaining historical sites within Winnebago County.
The cleaning method employed by the volunteers involves several steps. Gravestones first receive a thorough soaking with water to loosen mold and bacteria. After initial scraping, a D2 biological solution is applied to the stones. For some gravestones, the solution is applied and the stones are left to naturally whiten over approximately a year…