Stone Revival Historical Preservation has roots dating back to 2004, when it originally launched as GDC Cemetery Restoration. After transitioning through a couple of names to reflect our expanding focus, we adopted our current name in 2008 to encompass monument and masonry preservation both inside and outside of historic cemeteries.
Our journey began in 1997, when Brad Manzenberger started researching his family genealogy. Encountering the poor condition of several ancestors’ graves inspired him to learn the proper, preservation techniques needed to restore them. What started as a personal mission to care for family markers quickly evolved into a dedicated professional practice.
Hands-On Training and Expertise To ensure the highest standards of conservation, Brad has pursued years of formal education and specialized training:
- 2004, 2005, & 2007: Attended Basic and Advanced restoration workshops hosted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology) and the Indiana Historical Society.
- 2010: Participated in a National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) workshop instructed by Jason Church at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
- 2013: Completed classes hosted by the Friends of Eastern Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.
- 2016: Attended the preservation workshop at the Association for Gravestone Studies Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- 2017: Completed a second NCPTT workshop in Bardstown, Kentucky, once again led by Jason Church.
Beyond learning the trade, Brad is passionate about sharing it, having instructed numerous classes and introduced volunteers and community members to the fundamentals of cemetery preservation.
A Six-Generation Legacy in Stone Stone masonry runs deep in Brad’s family. His great-great-grandfather, John Manzenberger, emigrated from Germany to Bedford, Indiana, in 1887 to work in Lawrence County’s legendary limestone quarries. That legacy passed down through John’s sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—and with all three of Brad’s children having worked alongside him, six generations of the family have contributed to the stone industry.
Brad is honored to carry on this family tradition, even utilizing century-old chisels handed down through the generations that were once used by his ancestors in the Bedford quarries and mills. Preserving history is the core mission of Stone Revival Historical Preservation, and honoring our family’s deep-rooted masonry heritage is a proud part of that work.
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