Care of Stained glass class image

Historic Preservation

The Campbell Center is in the process of reviewing, redeveloping, and expanding the architectural historic preservation program to include a wider range of historic preservation courses. Watch our website for new courses in 2008 and 2009.

COURSE LISTING


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Gilding Workshop I: An Introduction to Traditional Gilding Techniques

Prerequisite: none
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 10
Offered: every year
Instructor: Hubert Baija

Using illustrated presentations and hands-on practicum, the focus of this introductory course is on traditional gilding techniques. Participants will develop basic gilding skills and prepare mock-up frames and sample boards in different leafing techniques from the bare wood to the final product. Topics included in this course are: a historical overview of traditional gilding materials, techniques, and tools; surface preparation; preparation and planned application of glue, gesso, bole, and size; application of gold, silver, and other metal leaf; oil and water gilding; and burnishing and finishing. Materials are provided by the Center. If needed, a basic set of gilding tools can be purchased through the Center.

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Gilding Workshop II: Advanced Gilding Techniques

Prerequisite: Gilding Workshop I
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 10
Offered: even numbered years
Instructor: Hubert Baija

This course will build on the information and techniques presented in Gilding Workshop I. Topics covered in this course include the following: gesso texturing and re-cutting; making molds and ornaments; carving, modeling, and casting; clay mixes and advanced leafing techniques; toning; aging; sealing; and matte and glossy finishes. In addition to the hands-on practicum, this course will also provide an orientation in frame history and recognizing historical ornament. Materials are provided by the Center.

Participants should bring their own gilder’s kit and favorite brushes and spatulas.

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Gilding Workshop III: The Conservation of Gilded Wooden Objects

Prerequisite: Gilding Workshop II
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 10
Offered: odd numbered years
Instructor: Hubert Baija

Building on the knowledge and skills taught in Gilding I and Gilding II workshops, this course focuses on the conservation and restoration of gilding on wood, the use of modern restoration materials on artifacts made with traditional techniques, and the structure of historical objects and their deterioration. Specific topics to be covered include the following: condition and restoration documentation; defining the goal of treatment; communicating the treatment plan with the client; a look at cleaning; balancing the “remedy and the disease;” choosing appropriate restoration ornaments; and “in-gilding,” retouching and integrating repairs into the original. The Center supplies necessary materials.

Participants should bring their favorite hand tools, brushes, work clothes, writing materials, a camera, and an object to work on.

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Historic Masonry Restoration

Prerequisite: none
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 10
Offered: every year
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

Prerequisite: Approval of instructor
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 10
Offered: even numbered years
Instructor: Mary Jablonski

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

Prerequisite: none
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 10
Offered: odd numbered years
Instructor: TBA

The focus of this course is on the fundamentals of American ornamental plaster work including the making of cornices and ceiling medallions and related ornamentation for walls and ceilings. Specifically, the course will cover: a review of ceiling medallions used in the Northeastern United States; restoration techniques; contemporary urethane rubber mold-making; circular bench-run model-making and applied enrichments; in-situ cornice gypsum and lime runs; acrylic reattachment techniques for securing jeopardized ceiling planes; and ornamental plaster installation procedures. Documentary packets for plaster materials and procedures will be provided.

Each participant should bring up to six slides illustrating an ornamental plaster dilemma or solution encountered in an actual building project.

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Preservation of Gravestones and Cemetery Monuments

Prerequisite: none
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 10
Offered: to be determined
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 Cemeteries

Prerequisite: none
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 12
Offered: as requested
Instructor: Susan Maltby and Dennis Montagna

Cemeteries and burial grounds are complex cultural landscapes. They not only include memorials, but also some combination of land form design, flora, road systems, gatehouses, mausoleums, and other man-made structures. This course presents a holistic approach to their care, balancing the specific needs of the distinct parts of a cemetery while recognizing the importance of how those parts interrelate. This course includes classroom lecture sessions, example analysis and instructor-led discussion, and practicum activity in local cemeteries. Specific topics covered include: how to define a cemetery, identification of materials used in a cemetery, mechanisms of material deterioration, the best materials to use in a cemetery environment, the durability and preservation of cemetery landscape, safety issues unique to burial settings, how to research a historic cemetery, condition reporting and documentation of a burial area, material preservation techniques and strategies, and establishing preservation and curatorial priorities.

Students are encouraged to bring a slide or PowerPoint presentation illustrating problems they would like addressed in this course.

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Preservation of Historic Flat Plaster

Prerequisite: none
Scholarships: Friends
Class limit: 10
Offered: odd numbered years
Instructor: Andrew Ladygo

The focus of this course is on the conservation 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; conservation of plaster and composition ornament; and the replication of decorative elements. There will be hands-on sessions for the reproduction of lime plaster and fresco surfaces utilizing historic techniques as well as demonstrations of methods of conservation for original plaster surfaces. We will also discuss projects in which participants are currently involved.

Each participant should bring up to six slides or photographs illustrating plaster problems encountered in an actual building project.

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