Pennsylvania Dutch Fraktur Tombstones: Reading and Gently Cleaning the Old German Carving
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I remember the first time I laid eyes on a Fraktur tombstone, it was a humid August afternoon in 2019, out behind a little Reformed church in Berks County. The stone was tilted, half-sunk into the soil, and covered in a crust of black lichen. I knelt down and traced the letters with my finger — a beautifull, old-world German script I couldn't read. My German is rusty, but I recognized the heart-shaped border and the tiny tulip carved into the top. That stone had a story, and I was determined to find it.
Took me three trips to that cemetary before I even got the name right. The inscription read 'Hier ruht in Gott' — 'Here rests in God' — and the name was Johannes something. I had to use a mirror to catch the sunlight at the right angle. That's when I realized: Fraktur stones aren't just old headstones. They're folk art. And cleaning them wrong? That's not just a mistake. That's erasing history.
So if you've got a Pennsylvania Dutch Fraktur tombstone in your care — maybe in a family plot, or a churchyard you maintain — you need to know how to read the carving and how to clean it without destroying it. I've been doing this work for twelve years now, and I've made every mistake you can imagine. Let me save you the trouble.
What Makes Fraktur Tombstones Different?
Harsh wheather is the biggest enemy. Freeze-thaw cycles crack stones. Acid rain eats them. Direct sunlight fades the iron-oxide pigments sometimes used in Fraktur paintings. But you can't move the stone indoors — so you protect it in place.
I recommend applying a breathable stone consolidant only if the stone is actively crumbling. And I mean only then. Most Fraktur stones don't need it. The consolidant I trust is Prosoco's Conservare OH — it's a silicate-based product that strengthens sandstone without sealing it. But it's expensive and requires training to apply. I charge $150 per stone for that treatment.
For routine maintenance, just keep the stone clear of grass and weeds. Don't let ivy grow over it. Ivy roots can get into cracks and widen them. And don't use a string trimmer near the base — those nylon lines can chip the stone. I've seen it happen.
If the stone is leaning, don't try to straighten it yourself. Call a professional. I've seen people use concrete to reset a stone, and that's a disaster — concrete is harder than sandstone and traps moisture. Use a lime-based mortar instead. But that's a whole other blog post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a pressure washer to clean a Fraktur tombstone?
A: No. Pressure washers can blast away the stone's surface, especially on soft sandstone. I've seen a pressure washer turn a 1790 inscription into a blurry mess in seconds. Stick to a spray bottle or a pump sprayer with a fine mist.
Q: What if the stone has painted Fraktur decorations, not just carved ones?
A: That's rare but beautiful. Some Fraktur stones had painted flowers or text. Never use any cleaner on painted areas — even water can lift the pigment. Leave painted stones to a professional conservator. I've ruined one painted stone with just a damp cloth. Learned that lesson the hard way.
Q: How do I tell if my stone is sandstone or marble?
A: Sandstone feels gritty and rough. Marble feels smooth and cool. If you're still unsure, look for tiny sparkly specks — that's quartz in sandstone. Marble doesn't have that. And if it's really old and crumbling, it's probably sandstone. Marble weathers differently, more like sugar dissolving.
Q: Can I use D/2 Biological Solution on marble Fraktur stones?
A: Yes, but be extra careful. Marble is softer and more reactive to acids. D/2 is pH-neutral, so it's safe, but you need to rinse it off thoroughly. Don't let it sit longer than 10 minutes. Marble can stain if the solution dries on it. I've used D/2 on marble with no issues, but I always test on a small hidden spot first.