SESSIONS
CIRCLE BACK: Preservation Trades in a Circular Economy 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 This window preservation workshop will teach introductory window sash restoration techniques. Learning Objectives
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I'LL QUICK YOUR LIME 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
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LET ME POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION 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
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THE ART OF PERSEVERANCE: The Challenges a Stonemason Faces in Masonry 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
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LOOK UP! Don't Miss The Ornaments Above You 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
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DEMYSTIFYING LINSEED OIL PAINT 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
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YES, STEAM STRIPPING IS A THING... 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
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carpentry |
RAISE THE BENT 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
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TIMBER FRAMING: From Tree to Finished Product 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
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THE RAREST PINE ON THE PLANET 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
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METALS |
SMITHING WITH DEREK 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
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COLD CASTING: Shaping Metals Without a Forge 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
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STAINED GLASS |
IS YOUR STAINED GLASS CRYING FOR HELP? 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
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SHIMMERING BEGINNINGS: A Stained Glass Journey 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
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WINDOWS AND DOORS |
HARDSHIPS WITH HARDWARE? HARDLY! 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
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NEW LIFE FOR THAT OLD DOOR 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
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GLAZED AND CONFUSED 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
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SPECIAL TOPICS |
Daisy Wheels Work with Dividers? Really? 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
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ROUNDTABLES |
ADVOCACY 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
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BUSINESS 101 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
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BUSINESS 201 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
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