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SESSIONS

KEYNOTE

CIRCLE BACK: Preservation Trades in a Circular Economy
Mae Bowley

Deconstruction is a perfect example of a nearly lost trade reemerging to meet the needs of the growing circular economy. We will explore the history of deconstruction, its decline, and its return to prominence as a sustainable alternative to demolition. We will discuss the relevance of deconstruction and reuse for all other historic trades and the interdependence of traditional craft and historic salvage. Finally, we will engage in conversation about the potential for traditional craftspeople to help address contemporary issues that intersect with preservation, such as affordable housing and climate change, through collaboration.

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

WINDOW PRESERVATION
Jim Turner

This window preservation workshop will teach introductory window sash restoration techniques.

Learning Objectives

  • The anatomy of a window sash
  • Why we preserve instead of replace windows
  • The tools and preparation for repair
  • Personal and site safety 
  • How to remove sashes from window boxes 
  • To strip paint and glazing 
  • To cut glass and reglaze 
  • How to repaint and rehang window sashes 
  • No upcoming events


Masonry

I'LL QUICK YOUR LIME
Jason Whitehead

Lime remains one of the most valuable building materials in human history. Its origin in human construction likely predates recorded history, but it’s at least 8,000-10,000 years ago. From the earliest days of colonization in the present-day United States, settlers used this tradition of lime to build new villages, buildings, and cities. At the same time, in western America, Hispanic culture incorporated lime in construction in areas of what are now Texas and New Mexico. The idea of lime is simple. The material for production is plentiful and comes in many forms depending on geology. During this demonstration we will be burning oyster shells, a local and plentiful resource, in order to convert the calcium carbonate into quicklime for building.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the lime cycle.
  • Understand lime materials.
  • History and origins of lime use in America.
  • Importance of lime use in modern preservation work.

LET ME POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Neela K. Wickremesinghe

In this session, Neela Wickremesinghe will lead participants through the steps of repointing masonry–removing old mortar, preparing joints, mixing mortar, and installing and striking new mortar. Neela will demonstrate and discuss the proper use of hand and power tools.

Learning Objectives

  • Why we use historic lime mortar

  • How to use power tools safely in a historic setting and when not to use them
  • How to install mortar
  • How to strike and finish mortar

THE ART OF PERSEVERANCE: The Challenges a Stonemason Faces in Masonry
Innes Drummond

A brief insight into some of the fundamentals of traditional stonemasonry using hand tools and some of the challenges a stonemason has making decisions when carrying out repairs to listed monuments. Innes will show how the tools are used when cutting stone, involving traditional surface finishes from Scotland and invite everyone to have a go at doing some stone masonry and get familiar with the tools. 

Learning Objectives

  • Traditional tools and techniques in stone carving
  • Scottish surface finishes
  • Understanding the possibility sand limitations when working with a natural material

plaster / Finishing

LOOK UP! Don't Miss The Ornaments Above You
Terry Wullenweber

Discover examples of cornice and ornamental designs used in plaster. Terry will use recent projects, which include a variety of ornamental plaster restoration projects, to demonstrate techniques and problem solving. Participants will learn about the tools, equipment, and material used in mold-making, pouring plaster medallions, and making ornamentation details. Participants can try pouring a small ornament for "make and take" and try their hand at a bench run cornice.

Learning Objectives

  • Discuss tools and equipment used.
  • Mold making and pouring methods.
  • Participants will help to run a cornice and make a take a plaster piece

DEMYSTIFYING LINSEED OIL PAINT
Michiel Brouns

Don’t stop your window and door preservation once it gets to painting! We see too many excellent restoration work being painted again in plastic paints, creating the original issues. Linseed oil paint helps you incorporate the last piece of the jigsaw and complete your project to the highest standards!

Learning Objectives

  • Select and differentiate different paint types
  • Mix primer coats for linseed oil paint
  • Use brushes effectively for linseed oil plan
  • Plan preservation jobs for linseed oil paint
  • Maintain linseed-painted surfaces

YES, STEAM STRIPPING IS A THING...
Marc Bagala

Steam stripping is a time-tested method for fast and safe removal of lead-based paints and glazing compounds from antique window sash. In this session, Marc Bagala will demonstrate the science and best practices behind steam stripping, with a live demonstration of the paint and glazing removal from a window sash.

Learning Objectives

  • The history and time-tested results of using steam for stripping
  • Techniques for fast and safe removal of finishes and glazing compounds
  • How steam-stripping is environmentally-friendly and sustainable

carpentry

RAISE THE BENT
Mike Goldberg

Mike Goldberg returns to the IPTW after 25 years! One of the demonstrators at the original IPTW, Mike will lead participants to learn about timber joinery and performance with pre-cut, smaller scale timbers and discuss how he used power tools to cut the timbers and joinery. Participants will get to practice assembling these timbers into a bent and raising it.

Learning Objectives

  • Make timber frame joinery with power tools.
  • Understand timber frame design and performance.
  • How to assemble joinery-cut timbers into a bent frame and raise it.

TIMBER FRAMING: From Tree to Finished Product
Stephen Morrison

Learn how trees become timbers to become structures. In this session, Steve Morrison will bring a small, complete timber frame truss that participants can help assemble and disassemble, in addition to various selections of raw timber to discuss timber selection, layout techniques, and basic cutting.

Learning Objectives

  • History of timber framing
  • Basics of timber frame building
  • Timber framing in preservation projects
  • Modern application of traditional timber framing

THE RAREST PINE ON THE PLANET
Joshua Arpin

An in-depth exploration of Old Growth Heart Pine, focusing on its history, scientific properties, and varieties like Longleaf and Slash. Participants will engage with rare samples showcasing unique characteristics such as grain tightness, color, and density, and learn grading techniques based on mechanical and aesthetic qualities. The session covers the full wood reclamation process, with a demonstration of the steps to assess, salvage, mill, and finish for reuse in structural and finish carpentry applications. w timber to discuss timber selection, layout techniques, and basic cutting.

Learning Objectives

  • History of pine and US lumber practices
  • Testing methods for density and gravity
  • Process to assess and reclaim heart pine
  • Methods to restore and reuse reclaimed lumber


METALS

SMITHING WITH DEREK
Derek Hopp

A local to Savannah and tenant at Re:Purpose Savannah, Derek will demonstrate different techniques and processes with projects he has in the shop. Using a mix of modern and traditional methods, he will show how a metalworker needs to understand materials and project goals to determine the processes of planning, staging, making, and assembly with materials like steel and wrought iron.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the importance of materials in design.
  • How to plan and stage projects.
  • Different techniques for different metals.

COLD CASTING: Shaping Metals Without a Forge
Lindsay Jones

Lindsay will share a few projects where she has run into cold casted pieces in the wild and others where it has been a valuable and affordable solution to replication needs. She will bring samples of different casted metals, molds and the material for casting a new piece during the demonstration, as well as various waxes for visually altering the finished casts.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand why it could be more problematic to try to recast elements in real metal
  • Different mold making designs for different shapes
  • Casting materials and tools
  • Finishes

STAINED GLASS

IS YOUR STAINED GLASS CRYING FOR HELP? 
Rhonda Deeg

This presentation will focus on your questions, challenges and problems you have encountered with stained glass, leaded glass and other glass issues in residential and commercial historic building window openings. Bring photos of your examples, and/or small panels that need repair. Time will be given to demonstrate some of the techniques used in repairing and maintaining glass. Examples will be displayed as well as tools and materials used and participants will have a chance to score and cut glass.

Learning Objectives

  • Discover types of glass, terminology, use, applications for glass.
  • Identify problem areas, challenges in the field, actual examples. 
  • Steps and processes for cleaning and repair of an actual stained glass panel demonstrated.
  • Participants will be exposed to the typical tools and equipment in the field.

SHIMMERING BEGINNINGS: A Stained Glass Journey
Melanie Hendrix

Master Artist Melanie Hendrix will lead session participants through the full process of planning, preparing, and creating a small copper foil based stained glass piece.

Learning Objectives

    • Glass personalities and characteristics

    • Glass cutting and grinding

    • Glass foiling

    • Soldering

    WINDOWS AND DOORS

    HARDSHIPS WITH HARDWARE? HARDLY!
    Matt Weems

    Historic windows and doors have unique and character-defining hardware. Made of multiple metals and finishes, these hardware features can be static or operating, but they all share a constant – people want to slather paint on them. Preservationists often find themselves needing to paintstrip, clean, and restore the hardware back to its former glory. In this session, Matt will cover the different types of hardware, materials, mechanisms, and cleaning and repair techniques for these precious pieces.

    Learning Objectives

    • Learn common hardware materials.
    • Understand the mechanisms of different hardware.
    • Learn cleaning and repair techniques.

    NEW LIFE FOR THAT OLD DOOR
    John C. Moore

    Historic wooden doors are one of the most used features of a building, subjected to normal wear and tear, as well as adaptations (some more ill-fated than others) to accommodate new hardware. In this session, John will demonstrate methods to repair wood panel doors for adaptive reuse, including hardware installation with a focus on full mortise lock-sets.

    Learning Objectives

    • The components of a true panel door.
    • The components of a door frame.
    • Door repair options for damaged tenons.
    • Cutting hinge gains and lock mortises.

    GLAZED AND CONFUSED
    Patrick Eaton

    Learn the basics of glazing historic wooden window sashes! In this session, Andrew Wing will lead participants through the fundamentals and functions of window glazing, and demonstrate basic maintenance and repair techniques. Participants can get their glaze on.

    Learning Objectives

    • Understand the purpose of window glazing
    • Identify the different materials in glazing
    • Practice techniques for measuring and cutting glass
    • Practice techniques for applying, tooling, and cleaning glazing putty

    SPECIAL TOPICS

    Daisy Wheels Work with Dividers? Really?
    Jane Griswold Radocchia

    Yes. Set your dividers to the daisy wheel’s diameter. That width is a module. Before the Industrial Revolution dimensions were not standardized. My ‘foot’ might be 12.3” while yours was 12.1”. To build, we needed a common unit. We used modules and Practical Geometry. Come learn that Geometry. Draw squares using compasses, straight edges, and scribes. Then, with no numbers, lay out a dwelling from 17th century Virginia, a pediment ala Vignola, a dome like that of Hagia Sophia. Use Lines and the Rule of Thirds for layout and design, as did Palladio and Serlio. Bring a pencil.

    Learning Objectives

    • Draw a square using no numbers, only a compass, a scribe and a straight edge.
    • How to reference the pattern books which Palladio, Serlio, Gibbs and others wrote.
    • How to use the Rule of Thirds.
    • Why and how geometry is practical for construction today.

    ROUNDTABLES

    ADVOCACY
    Briana Paxton


    Briana Paxton of Preservation Action will lead a discussion on how people in the preservation trades can get engaged in advocacy for policy, funding, and programs to build a stronger profession.

    Objectives

    • Identify the top barriers and needs faced by professionals in the preservation trades.
    • Translate these needs into recommendations and advocacy priorities.
    • Determine methods that PTN and other preservation organizations can get involved in advocacy.

    BUSINESS 101
    Rob Cagnetta

    How do you start and manage a business in the preservation trades? This roundtable discussion will focus on the needs of and wants for running a contracting company.

    Objectives

    • Identify the needs and barriers to starting and running a contracting business.
    • Create a list of best practices and solutions.
    • Develop a list of areas of opportunity for how organizations like PTN can help.

      BUSINESS 201
      Joshua Adamo

      How do you grow a business in the preservation trades, and how do you plan for retirement? This roundtable discussion will focus on the needs of and wants for managing an established business and planning for its next steps.

      Objectives

      • Identify the needs and barriers to growing a business and planning for retirement.
      • Create a list of best practices and solutions.
      • Develop a list of areas of opportunity for how organizations like PTN can help

      Preservation Trades Network
      PO Box 442205
      Detroit, MI 48244
      info@ptn.org


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