NCPTT

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Executive Summary

A fast, easy and low-cost approach for high school instructors, preservation trade practitioners and preservation organizations to introduce preservation tra
des in technical high schools.

Preservation Trades Education

The demand for craftspeople to appropriately preserve America’s aging building stock is increasing even as the supply of people with the hands-on tools skills and materials knowledge is decreasing. The Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN) and the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) have partnered to explore how a model developed in Michigan for introducing preservation trades education can be promoted and replicated across the United States. Experts from a wide range of preservation trades organizations and educational institutions convened in the spring of 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The goal of the summit was to bring together preservation education leaders from across the country who have experience in implementing preservation trades programs to share and document their knowledge and ideas. They reviewed the successful grassroots approach used at Detroit’s Randolph Career and Technical Center (CTC) to introduce students to the preservation trades.

As a result of this meeting, MHPN developed this guide to show how preservation trades’ advocates could replicate the Michigan model in their communities. The guide reviews the steps taken in the initiation and implementation of the Randolph CTC Historic Preservation project.  The initial success at the Randolph CTC hinged on several basic precepts:

1. Historic Preservation was an adjunct or overlay to the existing curriculum.
2. Little or no extra work was assigned to existing staff and administration.
3. Students were self-selected, from those students who had selected career training in the building trades. Second, they had selected Historic Preservation as a specialty interest within their trade.
4. Historic Preservation instructors were recruited and vetted for their work experience and appropriate teaching skills. They were also paid for their services.
5. Students worked in the field on historic buildings performing valuable restoration work and providing a service to their community.
6. There was an active partnership between governmental agencies, volunteers and organizations.
7. There is a person inside the system who has the vision and passion to pursue the idea.

The guide also compares and contrasts the characteristics of a modest sampling of existing educational programs, and places the Michigan model in the context of other efforts to promote preservation trades education.

In the fall of 2008, a second convening was held during the National Trust for Historic Preservation national conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The purpose of that meeting was to develop strategies for promoting the initiative and marketing the guide Part two of this document outlines the results of that meeting in a set of strategies based on four core strategic assumptions.

Technological Innovation: The 2009 PTT Grants Program at a Glance

NCPTT seeks innovative projects that advance the application of science and technology to historic preservation. The PTT Grants program funds projects that develop new technologies or adapt existing technologies to preserve cultural resources. Projects may include, but are not limited to:

• laboratory or field research that explores or assesses novel or adaptive methods;
• training activities, including workshops, and course or curriculum development that promote the use of new or adaptive technologies;
• documentation using new methods;
• manuscript or website development that disseminates innovative preservation technologies; and
• meetings that convene experts to discuss the use of technologies to address preservation problems.

NCPTT does not fund "bricks and mortar" projects or straight-forward documentation projects using well-established methods.

Grants are awarded competitively with a maximum award of $25,000 (including indirect costs). All grants require a one-to-one match of cash or in-kind services. Grants are funded by annual federal appropriation and are subject to availability of funds.

Research Priorities:

NCPTT funds projects within several overlapping disciplinary areas. These include:

• archaeology
• collections management
• architecture
• engineering
• historic landscapes
• materials research

Although any proposal will be considered that advances NCPTT's mission, NCPTT will give preference to proposals that advance technologies or methods to:

• conserve cultural resources of the "recent past,"
• monitor and evaluate preservation treatments,
• investigate minimally invasive techniques to inventory and assess cultural resources
• protect cultural resources against natural and human threats,
• preserve cemeteries and places of worship, and
• safeguard resources from effects of pollution and climate,

Who Is Eligible

The following organizations are eligible to submit proposals:

• U.S. universities and colleges,
• U.S. non-profit organizations: Non-academic museums, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activity, and
• Government agencies in the U.S.: National Park Service and other federal, state, territorial and local government agencies, as well as Hawaiian Natives, Native American and Alaska Native tribes and their Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.

Other organizations can participate only as contractors to eligible U.S. partners. Grants funds support only portions of projects that are undertaken or managed directly by U.S. partners. Grant funds can be used in support of projects outside of the U.S., provided the principal organization conducting the work is an eligible U.S. institution and the project's results address a national preservation need.

Review Criteria

Reviewers evaluate each project proposal by the following criteria. The successful proposed project should thoroughly:

• address an identifiable national need in preservation technology,
• present innovate technologies,
• demonstrate a technically sound methodology,
• have a principal investigator well qualified to conduct the proposed work,
• disseminate project results effectively,
• be cost effective given the scope of work and the audience,
• provide a one-to-one match of funding with cash or in-kind services, and
• result in tangible grant products that disseminate information beyond traditional ways (e.g. online web based training, webinars, podcasts, videos, DVDs, electronic publishing, etc.).

Other Considerations

NCPTT reviews proposals for disciplinary, geographical and institutional distribution. Additionally, a National Park Service grants administrator reviews them for financial and policy matters. Special consideration will be given to proposals that leverage resources through public and private partnerships.

The Grant Application Process

• Applicants desiring feedback may submit an optional pre-proposal anytime up to October 1, 2008. The preproposal may not exceed one page in length, and it should be an informal abstract of your project. Provide a brief description that highlights the innovative nature of the project, how it applies to preservation technology, the national need, the time frame, and approximate overall cost. NCPTT staff will provide timely feedback on the degree of fit between your idea and NCPTT's mission.
• Applicants must submit a PTT Grant application between September 1, 2008 and October 15, 2008. The applicant will provide details on the following:
  • abstract (100 words)
  • description of innovation (100 words, include within project narrative section)
  • project narrative, which should include a discussion of the technical soundness of the methods (1,000 words)
  • a bibliography of references cited in the narrative (append to the project narrative section, not counted against the 1,000 word limit)
  • statement about how the project addresses an identifiable national need in preservation technology (250 words)
  • a list of project tasks and their schedule (500 words)
  • a dissemination plan (250 words)
  • a description of the deliverables (500 words)
  • summary of the expertise and project-related experience of the principal investigator (500 words)
  • summary of the expertise and project-related experience of the research team (1000 words)
  • an itemized budget listing the funds requested from NCPTT, as well as the funds provided in cash and in-kind donation from other parties.
• Applicants will receive notification of their status in early December 2008.
• Successful projects can begin in March 1, 2009, pending availability of funding.

Where do I apply?

The deadline for grant proposal submissions was October 15, 2008.

The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) is planning a workshop on design and construction of historic structures along the Gulf Coast.  Vermilionville will be the site for the workshop on Nov. 20, 2008 in Lafayette, Louisiana.  On Nov. 21 the group will be visiting structures around Lafayette that are representative of the principles learned during the first day.

Held in partnership with the AIA South Louisiana, Bayou Vermillionville District, EnvironMental Design, Louisiana State University School of Architecture, Tulane School of Architecture the workshop will be a combination of lecture, group discussion, and site visits. Cost for the workshop is $125 and those interested may apply online by visiting the NCPTT website or by calling 318-356-7444.

The workshop will cover a number of specialized topics that are critical to historic preservation and design along the gulf coast such as:

• evolution of buildings within the Gulf Coast environment
• introduction to Gulf Coast climate
• introduction to sustainable design principles
• environmental architecture from pre-history to the present
• applying lessons learned to improve sustainability of historic buildings

People from many walks of life may benefit from this workshop, including:

• architects
• engineers
• state and local government employees
• architecture students
• preservation studies students

Several regional sustainability experts are developing the workshop. The instructors are:

• Edward J. Cazayoux, Principal of  EnvironMental Design
• Eugene D. Cizek, Director of the Preservation Studies Program, Tulane University
• Barrett Kennedy, Professor of Architecture at Louisiana State University
• Mark W. Thomas III, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Architecture, Tulane University

Looking at Environmental Adaptations in Design along the Gulf Coast

The workshop is the first of a series developed focusing on the impact of natural disasters on buildings along the gulf coast, design adaptations of historic structures in response to the coastal environment, and ways to incorporate these ideas in sustainable design.

Historically buildings were designed to adapt to the environment they were located.  Before the advent of modern day heating, venting and cooling systems buildings were designed and materials were chosen specifically for the hot, humid climate along the Gulf Coast.  These adaptations and materials can now be incorporated in new construction or returned to use in historic structures for increased sustainability.

RELATED LINKS:

Flickr stream on examples of Gulf Coast structural adaptation

NCPTT Architecture and Engineering Program webpage

About NCPTT

NCPTT uses technology to serve the future of America’s heritage through applied research and professional training. Since its founding in 1994, NCPTT has awarded over $6 million in grants for research that fulfills its mission of finding solutions to the challenges faced in preserving our nation's cultural heritage through the innovative application of advances in science and technology. The Center is located in Lee H. Nelson Hall on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.  For more information about NCPTT, visit the Center’s website: www.ncptt.nps.gov.

NCPTT recently partnered with Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) to create an online media outlet that inspires connections to heritage values.

“Preservation Today,” includes a newscast that integrates a wide variety of social media distribution platforms like Blip.tv, YouTube and iTunes.

According to Jeff Guin, who is NCPTT’s marketing manager and also an instructor in NSU’s Journalism Department, this project takes a “best of both worlds” approach to newsgathering and delivery.

“The web is bringing people together based on ideas and common values, and that’s our vision for Preservation Today,” Guin said. “Unlike your six o’clock news, it’s not highly localized and it’s not designed to attract an audience through shock value. But, by maintaining the same high production values, we hope to help viewers understand how to communicate heritage values in the Web 2.0 world.”

The Preservation Today netcast includes news briefs about heritage preservation activities from around the world. It also features interviews with preservationists, bloggers and social media experts.

An accompanying “shownotes” website allows viewers to interact around the news being reported. Among the features of the website are preservation blogs and news. Recently, David Connolly, an archaeologist from Scotland, video blogged on the site about his archaeological survey in Jaresh, Jordan.

The shownotes site also features a “2.0 tips” section that offers practical help on using social media to advance the conversation about heritage preservation.

“Social media is about bottom-up grassroots collaboration that achieves a higher purpose, which makes it ideally suited to heritage causes,” Kirk Cordell, executive director of NCPTT, said. “One of the most powerful goals this partnership can achieve is to help organizations understand how social media tools work, and how those tools can be easily harnessed to advance their preservation objectives.”

NSU is providing its studio set as well as production assistance as part of the partnership. According to Paula Furr, head of the Department of Journalism at NSU, the effort also represents a rare opportunity for NSU journalism students.

“I don’t think anyone can quantify exactly how much social media is changing journalism but we know the change is fundamental,” Furr said. “This partnership will challenge our students to analyze the broader impact of the stories they report. Today, their audience is the world.”

As with all social media efforts, Preservation Today depends on feedback from its audience to remain sustainable.  Guin says heritage organizations can help simply by contributing video and news reports from their projects. Viewers can also help by tagging their online media with “preservationtoday”, which will allow it to be easily found and used for the netcast and shownotes site.

RELATED MEDIA

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLr3dbWSVdg]

Flickr Stream of Images from Preservation Today

Netcast (30 min.) on Blip.tv

Netcast (segments) on YouTube

The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) is planning a workshop on the conservation of monuments commonly found in cemeteries in the New England region. Antientest Burial Place will be the site for the workshop to be held Oct. 7-9 in New London, Conn.

Held in partnership with the City of New London, the workshop will be a combination of lecture, demonstration and hands-on training. Cost for the workshop is $695 and those interested may apply online by visiting the NCPTT website or by calling 318-356-7444.

The workshop will cover a number of specialized topics that are critical to monument conservation such as:

• Condition assessments
• Conservation ethics
• Protection
• Cleaning
• Stone loss repairs
• Bases and resetting
• Adhesion and reinforced repair
• Consolidation

The workshop will focus on brownstone and slate, which were traditionally used on a widespread basis to make gravemarkers in New England.

People from many walks of life may benefit from this workshop, including:

• cemetery association members,
• state historic preservation officers,
• national and state park employees,
• doctoral students conducting research in cemeteries,
• cemetery caretakers,
• monument builders
• and family cemetery owners.

Several nationally-recognized experts are working together on the development and instruction for the seminar and workshop. The instructors are:

• Norman Weiss, research scholar at Columbia University
• Fran Gale, director, Architectural Conservation Laboratory, University of Texas
• Shelley Sass, Sass Conservation Inc.
• Irving Slavid from Monument Conservation Collaborative
• Martin Johnson, Monument Conservation Collaborative
• and Mary Striegel and Jason Church of the NCPTT Materials Research Program

Background of the Cemetery Monument Conservation Initiative

The workshop series stemmed from one of NCPTT’s research priorities: meeting the preservation needs of houses of worship and cemeteries. NCPTT’s efforts to help conserve the historic American Cemetery, located near its headquarters in Natchitoches, Louisiana resulted in the first CMC workshop being held there in 2003.

Based on strong demand from the Natchitoches workshop, additional events have since been held annually in across the United States. Besides the Cemetery Monument Conservation Workshop, NCPTT staff also conducts related workshops aimed at audiences ranging from beginners to highly advanced conservation professionals.

Related Media

Flickr Photo Stream of Antientest Burial Place

Flickr Photo Stream featuring the 2006 Cemetery Monument Conservation Workshop

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fcr3Dk7W8]

About NCPTT

NCPTT uses technology to serve the future of America’s heritage through applied research and professional training. Since its founding in 1994, NCPTT has awarded over $6 million in grants for research that fulfills its mission of finding solutions to the challenges faced in preserving our nation's cultural heritage through the innovative application of advances in science and technology. The Center is located in Lee H. Nelson Hall on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.  For more information about NCPTT, visit the Center’s website: www.ncptt.nps.gov.

1999-18

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Aided by a grant from the National Center for Preservation Technology & Training, National Park Service (Grant Number MT-2210-7-NC-016), to the Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation, The Lost Towns of Anne Arundel Project acquired a digital video camera, graphic equipment and three-dimensional modeling software.

Project staff use this equipment, with computer image capture and processing technologies, to record, preserve, analyze, and disseminate high quality archaeological and architectural data from two Colonial Period town sites in Maryland: Providence (1649—1680) and London (1683—1783).

The resulting images constitute a database for three-dimensional modeling and analysis, museum exhibits, video production, and broadcast journalism. This paper describes the cost—effective application of digital photography and computer modeling to the collection, analysis, storage, and presentation of archaeological and architectural data.

2000-22

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Prehistoric Hopewellian peoples of Ohio (ca. 150 B.C. - A.D. 400) produced fine geometric and representational art that played central roles in their social organization and religious practices. A 37 week, complete visual survey of nearly all major eastern United States collections of Ohio Hopewellian artifacts revealed that many of the 304 extant copper breastplates, celts, and headplates have on them the remains of artistic compositions previously undetected. The images resemble other Hopewellian and earlier Adena art in other media in their content and style, and include representations of leaders (humans, animal impersonators) in ceremonial dress and animals of the natural world. Previous physical and chemical studies of the art works, as well as taphonomic observations, suggested that the artistic compositions were certainly made by collage of various organic and inorganic materials and possibly by painting with at least ten minerals pigments.

This project successfully achieved its three goals: (1) to identify more exactly the nature of the materials used to create the imagery on copper; (2) to identify the artistic processes used to create the imagery; and (3) to develop a systematic, integrated set of digital photographic techniques for effectively recovering, enhancing, and displaying the art works on Hopewellian copper artifacts, as one approach to preserving the images and guiding their conservation. A team of eleven researchers, with specialties in archaeology, remote sensory systems, digital image photography and enhancement, applied metallurgy, mineralogy, petrology, paleoethnobotany, and prehistoric textile analysis carried out the project work.

1996-04

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The goal of this research project was to study the deterioration of porous stone in the marine environment of the Pacific Coast, and to develop and test appropriate preservation methods, using the facade of the Royal Presidio Chapel as a case study.

Visual inspection of the Chapel indicated that lateral movements, meteoric and ground water, and soluble salts are the main causes of deterioration of the Chapel's facade and walls.

A small section of the foundation was excavated, using proper archaeological techniques. The foundation consists of stone rubble with mud mortar.

A total of 27 samples of stone, mortars, renderings, patching and repair materials, salt efflorescence, and paint were taken and analyzed. In an attempt to locate the quarry from which the facade stones were extracted, we visited thirteen quarries and took stone samples which were subsequently characterized in the laboratory.

The facade contains two types of stone of differing resistance to weathering and stability against salt crystallization. No previous preservation studies of these two stone types are known to the project team.

A variety of soluble salts were identified. While the sulfates are concentrated on the surface, there is a remarkable increase of the chloride and nitrate concentration towards the interior of the wall. No explanation for this phenomenon could be found. High concentrations of hygroscopic salts were found in all samples.

Patching and repair mortars consisted of Portland cement based on mortars or proprietary mixtures. Their excessive hardness and reduced permeability for water has led to separation and spalling of many of these repairs.

A hydrological evaluation demonstrated that ground moisture, leading to rising damp, is the result of landscape irrigation or other applied water, not due to a high water table.

The paint was removed from part of the facade to study the distribution of the two types of stone, and of the various patching and repair mortars. A paint remover was identified that can be used for paint removal on the facade.

No chemical consolidation experiments on the deteriorated stone of the facade was attempted. An explanation for this departure from the original proposal is given elsewhere in this report.

The scientific studies were accompanied by historic research. Historic photographs were identified and duplicated, to document changes in architectural features and the state of preservation of the Chapel.

Recommendations for future studies and immediate and future interventions, designed to slow down the deterioration, are given at the end of this report.

1998-01

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This guide is intended for use by public works managers who find themselves encountering the world of historic preservation.

They may become aware of the historical significance and the requirements attached to a particular property only as a result of the activities of a community organization or the local media.

The guide contains information on where to search for local and federal records as well as brief examples of successful historic preservation projects.