Recent media appearances:
September 2024 – WKRN Nashville “Hidden Tennessee”
https://www.wkrn.com/special-reports/hidden-tn/middle-tennessee-cemetery-features-graves-2-centuries-old/
Are you looking for a KEYNOTE SPEAKER for your public or private event?
With a life-long love of cemeteries, Keith’s speeches are energetic, engaging, and respectful. As “The Cemetery Detective,” Keith tailors his speeches to your event.
What is Your Group’s Level of Interest?
*General Interest – Keith takes your group on a “journey” to his most interesting cemetery discoveries. This presentation is ideal for any group with a casual interest in cemeteries.
*Community Meetings – Keith builds enthusiasm for community involvement of your local cemeteries.
*Church and Civic Groups – Keith discusses the importance of heritage in our community cemeteries.
*Government Budget Meetings – Keith advocates for improved funding of your cemetery maintenance projects.
*School Groups – Keith intrigues school-age audiences with discussions of “geeky” academic subjects involved in the study of cemeteries.
*Cemetery-Specific Meetings – Keith involves your group with in-depth discussions of cemetery-specific problems and solutions.
Cemetery Advocacy
Keith will speak in front of your cemetery planning committee meetings:
- Urban Planning
- Budgetary Meetings
- Community Outreach
- Lost Cemeteries
- Cemetery Maintenance & Mowing
- Problems with Overgrowth
- Neglected Cemeteries
- Vandalism Solutions
F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions):
What is the goal of your speeches?
My goal is to educate the community by raising public interest of local cemeteries. We learn a tremendous amount about our communities by studying cemeteries. They should be properly maintained and preserved. I want to share this passion with my audiences.
How long are your presentations?
I will fit my presentation into your time budget. Normal presentations are anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour. I am always happy to do a Question & Answer session afterward.
Are your lectures strictly about cemeteries?
My presentations discuss many subjects (historical to scientific) all centered around the study of cemeteries. I tailor my presentation to each audience’s level of interest.
My local cemetery is facing budget cuts, can you help?
Yes, I can help. I am particularly interested in building community support for proper maintenance of community cemeteries.
Where are you located?
I am based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I am available to travel, nationwide.
Can I interview you for my publication?
Certainly. I’m happy to give interviews. Contact me through my “Contact” form.
Do you charge a Speaking Fee for your presentations?
Yes, I charge a speaking fee plus travel expenses.
My civic organization does not have a budget for speakers’ fees.
Can we work something out?
Yes, we can work something out.
Contact me via the “Request Form” below.
How do I schedule you?
Begin by filling out this form. I will strive to contact you within 48 hours.
Request For Cemetery Presentation
Keith’s presentations are energetic, historic, scientific, adventurous, and respectful.
Below are a few recent examples.
Public Speaking
I was a featured presenter at Pecha Kucha Chattanooga. My presentation underscored the importance of proper documentation and mapping of neglected cemeteries.
Scientific Presentations
At the Association for Gravestone Studies Conference in Danbury, Connecticut, I delivered a presentation on my personal research of Hawaiian Cemeteries within lava flows.
Classroom Sessions
(Geeking Out on Cemeteries!)
At the Association for Gravestone Studies annual conference, I lead a FULL DAY CEMETERY WORKSHOP.
This workshop was specifically designed to teach students how to use Map-Building techniques.
In this workshop, we used GPS Technology to develop a Cemetery Map. This workshop included a 3 hour class lecture with hands-on map building activities. The classroom section of the workshop began with a basic discussion of 2-dimensional topographical maps.
Using those 2-dimensional maps, we integrated a GPS data stream which allowed class participants to develop 3-dimensional geospatially accurate cemetery maps.
Classroom participants also discussed the latest in crowd-sourced apps which make cemetery hunting fun and effective.
The classroom workshop was followed by a field study in cemetery mapping.
We used Drone technology to develop a 3-D Virtual Cemetery Map of a local cemetery. Conference attendees enjoyed hands-on operation of a GPS enabled Drone in our mapping field study.
Radio Interviews
Here I am at the studios of 102.3 FM in Chattanooga preparing for an interview about preservation and the cultural significance of local cemeteries.
Print Magazines
My research on The Submerged Cemetery At Mullins Cove is featured in the regional adventure magazine Get Out Chattanooga.
The Submerged Cemetery @ Mullins Cove
Last October, Chatter Magazine interviewed me for their Halloween Edition.
( That is NOT me on the cover. 🙂 )
Television News
I was recently interviewed by News Channel 9 for its coverage of a Cemetery disturbed by construction crews building a local housing development.
Newspaper Interviews
Owain Johnston-Barnes, a reporter for The Royal Gazette in Bermuda, saw my video documentary on Bermuda’s Cemeteries. He contacted me and wrote quite a nice article.
http://www.royalgazette.com/news/article/20170914/islands-past-lures-cemetery-expert
