The assigned fragment is a 1680 slate tombstone fragment from Boston, Massachusetts. It averages 7 inches in length, 14 inches in height, and a 1/2 inch in depth. The fragment is the right half of the tombstone, containing only 32% of the inscription. There is delamination and discoloration present, as well as surfacing scratching and small amounts of brown pigment. 

Originally located in King's Chapel Cemetery in downtown Boston, the fragment was the tombstone of 11-and-a-half-month-old Isabella Barnes. To learn more about Isabella Barnes, please see the "Isabella Barnes" tab.

The goal of this assignment was to "complete the fragment," whether that be through experimental preservation or literal conservation. With my personal goal of identifying the person who is associated with this tombstone fragment, I decided to take the conservation route and restore the fragment to its original character and function. This was completed with the assistance of Daedalus Art in Boston, Kelly Thomas of Boston Parks and Rec, and my fellow student, Abbey Francis. 

For more on the tombstone restoration please see the "Conservation" and "Final Product" tabs of this website.

Ashlyn Pause is a first-year student at Columbia University pursuing a Master of Science in Historic Preservation. During the Fall 2024 semester, Ashlyn was assigned the Isabella Barnes tombstone fragment for her class, Historic Preservation Theory and Practice. Throughout the semester, Ashlyn has documented, researched, and conserved the fragment. This course is taught by Jorge Otero-Pailos with PhD candidate Robert Louis Brandon Edwards.