People were more relaxed about religious tolerance. That's reflected in the language and the iconography of the stones. Rhode Island is also home to the country's oldest operational stone engraving firm, the John Steven Stone Cutting Shop, established in 1704. Not all of its business is done in cemeteries, however. The family shop has also carved many of the plaques that mark Brown's buildings, said Emlen, who plans to talk about the stonecutters in his keynote address.
People come from all over the country to see their work.
Based in Greenfield, Mass., the Association for Gravestone Studies was founded in 1977 to further the study and preservation of gravestones and to foster appreciation of their cultural significance. During their four-day visit to Providence, members will take part in various workshops and visit area cemeteries, Oakley said.