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Historic Preservation

The Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies has restructured its Certificate Program in Historic Preservation for 2009.  Many new courses will be offered, and other courses have been updated.  See the Certificate Program page for more details.

COURSE LISTING


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Architectural Paint Analysis
Instructor: David Arbogast

The analysis of architectural paints and finishes, as opposed to those used in the field of fine art, is rapidly developing from its infancy where paint was scraped on site to the present where scientific analysis is being undertaken not only to determine historic colors, but also to determine other aspects of finishes such as composition and application methods.  David Arbogast, an architectural conservator with over thirty years of experience in the area of historic architectural paint analysis, will provide hands-on instruction in the microscopic analysis of historic architectural paints and other finishes.


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Understanding Historic Masonry Mortars
Instructor: John Lambert

The focus of this course is to increase understanding of the many binders, aggregates and other additives traditionally mixed in American masonry mortars between the 1700’s and 1950 .

The history and evolution of mortar ingredients and their use is revealed by examining copies of authentic historic documents.  Understanding this history is important because as we are able to view things with the same perspective as the masons, architects and engineers through history, we are empowered to better understand appropriate repointing and repair mortars today. Emphasis will be on eliminating the confusion and misinformation regarding the history, use and characteristics of quick lime, lime putty / paste, hydrated lime, natural hydraulic lime, natural cement, Portland cement, pozzulans, imported binders, mortar additives, aggregates, etc.  Participants will be able to mix, feel, observe and work with these mortars.  Ideal workshop for owners / managers of historic buildings, architects, masons, contractors, engineers and others involved in specifying repointing / repair mortars.

This course is a nice complement to (but not a prerequisite of) the Historic Masonry Restoration workshop.


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Introduction to Historic Preservation Theory
Instructor: David Arbogast

Rare is the architect or firm that does not encounter a project in historic preservation and rare is the architect or firm that has the experience and expertise to understand the intricacies of these projects and their clientele.  David Arbogast, an architectural conservator with over thirty years of experience in the field, will walk you through the common aspects of these projects ranging from the governmental agencies and regulations which frequently determine the outcome of the project to typical clientele to working with various preservation consultants.


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Restoration of Historic Windows
Instructor: Bob Yapp

In our constant struggle to preserve original materials in historic homes, buildings and museum properties, original wood windows present one of our biggest challenges. The pressure to replace is backed up by multi-million dollar advertising campaigns perpetrated by the replacement industry. In the preservation movement's effort to lead the "Green Movement", we must constantly show the world that nothing is greener than an original window or existing property.

This course is an intense four day, hands-on workshop that deals with these very issues. Students will learn by doing as they work side-by-side with instructor Bob Yapp. Every aspect of efficient and cost effective wood window restoration will be addressed. Students will work in teams. Each team will completely restore two double hung wood window openings including: sash removal; safe lead paint & putty removal; historic glass retention; painting; glazing putty installation; weather-stripping; re-installation of the sashes including how to re-string sash weights.


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Exterior Wood Restoration
Instructor: Bob Yapp

An integral part of any restoration project includes the repair and maintenance of wooden exterior architectural elements. Too often we willingly discard precious original wood features when repair is easier and more cost effective. According to instructor Bob Yapp, "Many historic property owners look at their original rotted wood columns, balustrades, brick molding, sills, windows, and trim and feel they can't be saved. The replacement product industry is counting on you believing this and spends tens of millions of dollars a year to convince consumers to buy their products. Most of the wooden parts in historic properties are made with old growth lumber that is just not available any longer. By using splicing techniques and architectural epoxies you can save this stronger and more rot resistant lumber with less hassle and lower cost than replacing it."

This is a hands-on, learn-by-doing course for any skill level. Students will learn various wood splicing techniques as well as gain a thorough understanding of how and when to use architectural epoxies


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If These Walls Could Talk: History and Design of Wallpaper
Instructor: Stephen Bauer

This course will examine in detail the early origins of what has become one of the world’s most versatile decorating mediums, and how over several centuries it has endured revolutions, conspiracies, and most threatening of all, changes in taste. How have manufacturers adapted their wallpapers to navigate these changes? What peculiar forms has it taken on over the years as a result? How has wallpaper been a mirror of popular culture and economics? What lead to its rise through three centuries, but then subsequently to its fall in the last three decades? Why do homeowners today have such a “love hate” relationship with wallpaper? And lastly, how can it be used appropriately in the historic home?

The course lectures that answer these questions will be also accompanied with hundreds of archival photos and actual samples from the mid-Victorian era through the present day that students can examine. 


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Advanced Preservation of Gravestones and Cemetery Monuments
Instructor: Jon Appell

This workshop will be a continuation of the basic gravestone preservation workshop, covering more complex gravestone preservation procedures and techniques.

A basic overhead stone lifting tripod will be constructed and employed to raise large fallen and or badly leaning monumental elements which are too heavy to lift by hand. The rigging of stone in order to be lifted will be demonstrated. The joining and setting of monuments will be performed.  Composite stone in-fill materials will be discussed in depth, and applied to various kinds of substrate.  Pigments will be added to modify and create a color matching in-fill mortar.  Injection grout will be used to in-fill small cracks and voids, and help prevent freeze- thaw damage. A replacement base will be cast out of concrete, in order to repair a gravestone fractured at or below the ground surface. After the concrete has cured, the tablet stone will be re-set into a socket base employing a historic pointing mortar.  Cleaning techniques will be covered in greater detail including the application of stone poultice to remove in ground staining. The consolidation of a marble gravestone will be performed to strengthen the stone, and help prevent future degradation. 


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Specification Writing for Historic Preservation
Instructors: David Arbogast and Wayne Smith

The preparation of written specifications for historic preservation projects presents a genuine challenge for most specification writers.  For most architectural firms, these are not typical projects and the possibility of errors and omissions is extremely high.  Unfortunately, there are no standard sets of specifications which can serve as models primarily because of the unique nature of preservation projects.  This course will examine in detail methods of writing specifications which can effectively describe the work most commonly encountered in preservation projects.  David Arbogast is an architectural conservator with over thirty years of experience in collaborating with architectural firms and Wayne Smith is a registered architect with an equal amount of experience, much of it spent in writing architectural specifications.


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Log and Timber Building Preservation
Instructor: Joe Gallagher

This class is designed for the cabin owner, manager or any body responsible for a log or frame building. It will cover the basics of log and frame building condition assessment and problem diagnosis; restoration strategies; repair options and long term maintenance planning.

The class will visit local structures to learn the discipline of building assessment and write their own assessment plans for a local log or frame structure. Participants will learn to hew and notch logs and develop an understanding of the means to make repairs of even seriously damaged structures. Lastly the participants will write their own maintenance plan for the local evaluated building or for their own building.

The class will be a mixture of lecture, direct observation and hands on activities. Upon completion of this class students should feel comfortable examining their own buildings and identifying problems, repair options, and restoration possibilities. They will also be able to develop a long term plan for the maintenance of their buildings. 

Students are encouraged to bring to the class, photos of their buildings for discussion during and after the class.


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Historic Masonry Restoration
Instructor: John Lambert

This four-day “hands-on” course is tailored to fill the individual needs of the workshop participants. The expert instruction encompasses a broad range of historic masonry restoration practices such as: inspecting and evaluating masonry structures; methods of cleaning historic masonry; stripping paint off historic masonry; repairing cracked masonry; the history and evolution of early American unit masonry mortars; correct methods for the repointing of mortar joints; the role of mortar in a masonry structure; basic analysis of historic mortar; replicating the color, texture, hardness, shape, and performance characteristics of historic mortars; mixing and using lime putty mortars; mixing and using hydraulic lime mortars; mixing and using historic natural cement mortars; use of various consolidation treatments for deteriorating masonry; stone patching materials; methods and techniques. Workshop students will participate in the construction of a simple lime kiln, burn limestone rock in the kiln, slake the resulting quick lime into lime putty, mix the lime putty with sand into a mortar, and use it to repoint mortar joints on historic buildings on the Campbell Center campus.

Participants are encouraged to bring samples of materials, slides, photographs, etc. that illustrate their specific masonry challenges for workshop discussion and techniques demonstration.

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Masonry Analysis & Testing
Instructor: Mary Jablonski

Offered in 2010

In this course, participants will gain hands-on experience in the identification, analysis, and testing of masonry materials with an emphasis on condition evaluation before and after conservation treatment. Course topics include the following: a review of the procedures for the study of the physical structure, engineering properties, and chemical nature of masonry materials; identification and documentation, through condition reporting, of deterioration including soluble salts; field evaluation techniques; standardized water absorption testing for brick, terra cotta, and natural stone; analytical methods for mortars and stuccoes; designing and applying deterioration resistance tests; properties of and performance criteria for pointing and repair materials; guidelines for the formulation of replica mortars; the application of consolidating materials and the application of water repellents; and methods of sampling, data treatment, and report preparation.

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Ornamental Plaster Workshop

Offered in 2010

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Material Characterization Associated with Sites, Monuments, & Structures
Instructor: Nancy Odegaard and Dave Smith

This class consists of laboratory sessions that include the preparation, testing and interpretation of results for a representative range of materials found in monuments, structures and sites. Micro-sampling techniques combined with chemical spot testing methods will be used to determine the identifi cation of primary materials and the analysis of contextual materials including surface deposits, soils, and stains. Discussions will refer to the interpretation of results, chemical processes and the eff ects of interference materials. Participants are encouraged to bring sample materials to discuss in class.

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Overview of American Architectural Styles

Women’s fashions, cars, furniture, and architecture, to name only a few examples, exhibit an evolution of styles over time. Th is course examines the progression of styles in American architecture. Style characteristics will be illustrated and discussed in a slide-lecture format. The technique of stylistic comparison used in the study of the visual arts will be employed in class. Questions and discussion will be encouraged. Field work in Mt. Carroll will allow students to become familiar with the characteristics of individual styles and to practice applying their style knowledge to individual buildings. Knowledge of architecture styles is not an end in itself. Its primary use in the fi eld of Historic Preservation is to determine a building’s date and to give it a style classifi cation. Style is a tool that gives us a glimpse into our cultural history. The course examines questions such as: “what is period style?,” why are there revivals of previous styles?,” “are there moral attitudes associated with styles?” and other questions. Along the way it is hoped that students will sharpen their powers of observation and analysis.


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Preservation of Gravestones and Cemetery Monuments
Instructor: Jon Appell

This course will focus on the various aspects of gravestones and cemetery monument preservation. Topics will include; condition assessment and documentation; explanation of proper tools and materials; resetting of stones; various repair techniques; positive and negative effects of cleaning, and appropriate cleaning methods; stone in-fill, consolidation, and color matching; and sources for restoration materials.

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Preservation of Historic Flat Plaster
Instructor: Tim Stohl

The focus of this course is hands-on preservation and replication of historic plasters and their finishes. Course topics include: a review of historic plaster and its evolution; plaster materials and their physical properties; causes of plaster deterioration; preservation of plaster; and the replication of decorative ornaments. There will be an emphasis on hands-on practice in this course. We will also discuss projects in which participants are currently involved.

Each participant should bring a CD or photographs illustrating plaster problems encountered in an actual building project.


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