Supporting History

It’s Graffiti Season Again

Originally published in Colorado History NOW, June 2006

As the weather warms up, more folks head outside to enjoy the longer days and milder nights.  Unfortunately, more people milling around outdoors can spell trouble for some of our historic resources.  Graffiti rates increase during the spring and summer and “taggers” find historic resources to be attractive targets because of their remote locations, or conversely, because of their prominent positions on main streets, and other reasons.

This year, in particular, graffiti is on the minds of preservationists.  According to a recent Denver Post report, “Graffiti has been steadily increasing [in Denver] for the past two years.  Last year, the city’s public works department covered more than 2.4 million square feet of it, according to solid waste management director Gary Price.  And more is predicted this year.  In the first quarter of this year, city workers have repainted 790,000 square feet of graffiti—nearly a 50-percent increase from the same period in 2005.”

Unfortunately, graffiti isn’t just an urban problem.  In many cases, sensitive rock art, archaeological sites, and rural cemeteries are at greater risk because of their remote locations, low visibility, and value to scavengers who may try to sell artifacts illegally.

The Colorado Historical Society’s State Historical Fund (SHF) has worked with several different local groups to combat this growing threat.  Since 1995, the SHF has partnered with the city of Boulder and Historic Boulder, Inc., to save the Columbia Cemetery, which suffered from multiple incidents of vandalism.  The SHF also provided funds to the Montrose Rotary Club Youth Foundation to protect the Shavano Valley rock art site near Montrose.  That project included installing protective fencing and signage and an access trail that would guide visitors away from sensitive areas.

There are several challenges that complicate funding such projects, but guidance is available to help define proper treatments and to help SHF applicants plan a competitive scope of work.  The National Park Service publishes a booklet called “Keeping it Clean: Removing Exterior Dirt, Paint, Stains and Graffiti from Historic Masonry Buildings.” Also, the Park Service’s Preservation Brief #38, “Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry,” provides technical information on removing graffiti by the gentlest means possible.  Those guides are also both available calling the CHS’ Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation at 303/866-2711.

Proposals to remove graffiti from historic resources would likely compete well in the SHF grants system, especially if the proposed work would help to restore a resource’s original appearance.  However, projects involving the application of graffiti-proof sealants might be problematic if the products were to discolor original materials, accelerate deterioration by locking in moisture, or otherwise adversely impact the historic resources.  More information and guidance about preventing and treating vandalism of historic resources, and applying for funds to correct such damage, is available by calling the OAHP or SHF Outreach Staff, at 303/866-2825.

BY RACHEL SIMPSON, SHF Outreach Specialist

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