March Presentation and Meeting – Cemetery Preservation in Practice: Protecting Burial Sites from a Grave Future

Cemeteries are invaluable historical and cultural resources, yet they remain among the most vulnerable heritage sites, facing threats from environmental degradation, neglect, and development pressures. Effective cemetery preservation requires a multifaceted approach that balances historical integrity, legal protections, and community engagement.

In this talk, Monmouth County Park System archaeologist Kristen Hohn discusses the challenges facing burial sites today and examines best practices in documentation, conservation, and advocacy. Using case studies from Monmouth County, including several sites in Matawan and Aberdeen, she describes the importance of sustainable preservation efforts to ensure these sacred landscapes endure for future generations.

About Kristen Hohn

Kristen T. Hohn (MA, RPA) is a professional archaeologist and senior historic preservation specialist with a passion for the care, interpretation, and preservation of material culture. She works for the Monmouth County Park System while also running her own historic consulting company.

Ms. Hohn holds a Master’s degree in Anthropology, specializing in Historical Archaeology, from Monmouth University, as well as a Certificate in Historic Preservation from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH) at Rutgers University. She currently serves as a trustee of the Old Yellow Meeting House and Cemetery Association and is a past president of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey.

A native of Matawan, New Jersey, Ms. Hohn is dedicated to preserving the past and making history accessible to a broader audience. When she’s not transcribing 18th-century documents, she enjoys backpacking and traveling with her husband and two young boys.

Free admission with refreshments following the meeting. MHS meeting afterwards.