Historic Log Structures Preservation Workshop – August 24-27th

The log structures workshop included selective repair and reconstruction of a vernacular log building to be reassembled on the historic Hayden Ranch from components assembled from elements of log structures that would be lost through neglect on the original construction site.  Course participants of all skill and experience levels learned techniques for evaluating, repairing and assembling historic log buildings on site using traditional and contemporary joinery and assembly methods.

Instructors: Michael Ciani and Mike Perschbacher

After 29 years of owning and operating a highly successful construction company, Mike Perschbacher decided to use his talent and skill to do what he is most passionate about- historic restoration.  State Historic Funded projects include Buena Vista Depot (exterior restoration), Eureka Masonic Lodge #66 (window restoration), Hutchinson Homestead (structural and exterior rehabilitation of main house and 10 log outbuildings), Tabor Home (structural and exterior rehabilitation), St. Elmo Schoolhouse (structural and exterior rehabilitation), and the Presbyterian Church (structural discovery).  Mike also taught 2 wood window restoration workshops in 2008.

Michael Ciani has been working as a Preservation Specialist in Virginia City, Montana for about three years. As an employee of the Montana Heritage Commission, he and his team members have been responsible for all aspects of the preservation of over 200 historic structures. Work includes: critical stabilization, documentation, restoration, and research of stone, frame, and log buildings.

Michael's education consists of an Associate Degree in Historic Preservation and Restoration Technology at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California, graduating in 2006. Further Preservation experience was acquired working in a custom millwork shop for two years , developing cutting knives to match historic profiles of moldings, siding, rosettes and the like. All of this has supplemented hi experience as a carpenter’s apprentice, a trade he has worked since a teen. He currently continues to develop his trade skills within the world of historic preservation.

Historic Brick Masonry Cleaning Workshop - August 25th & 26th

This workshop took place at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in Leadville, CO, and involved learning what is involved in safely removing efflorescence from brick masonry and understanding its causes and prevention.  The hands-on masonry cleaning workshop covered the following topics:

Workshop Instructors: Rob Cagnetta of Heritage Restoration Inc., James Duggan, Preservation Unlimited, and Ed Nagel of Prosoco, Inc.

Welcome Identify the goals of the workshop.
Review jobsite safety.
Review the building and its construction type.
Set up scaffolding.
Begin condition assessment of troubled areas. Including: Photo documentation & written descriptions of existing conditions.
Identify and begin cleaning of selected areas. Photo document and begin written description of work procedures, including, but not limited to: current temperature and weather conditions, application methods, dwell time, difficulty, etc.
Development of proposed scope of work for cleaning.
Suggested topics for follow up, such as: mortar analysis, more in depth analysis, etc.

Historic Cemetery Preservation Workshop, August 26, 2009

Historic Evergreen Cemetery, established in 1879, is divided into 12 sections, some in private hands and some owned and maintained by fraternal and religious associations.  The cemetery features graves and monuments representing Leadville’s colorful past including, outlaws, Civil War veterans and well known citizens.  Monuments represent a variety of markers including Woodmen of the World variations, zinc, marble, granite and wood.  This one day workshop l acquainted participants with the range of deterioration problems affecting historic cemeteries and covered a range of preservation treatments, including demonstrations, “hands on” methods of preservation and conservation with time for discussion.  The memorials selected represented many of the most commonly encountered preservation problems with historic grave yards.

Workshop Instructor: Jonathan Appell

Jonathan Appell is a gravestone conservator and monumental mason, performing cemetery preservation planning and conservation projects throughout the United States.  He conducts the vast majority of gravestone and cemetery monument preservation seminars held nationally, hands on training workshops to help towns, cities, churches, historical societies, cemeteries, and individuals gain knowledge and experience in all areas relating to gravestone and monument preservation, historic masonry preservation planning and stone conservation treatment techniques.

Jonathan has been working in fields relating to gravestones and monuments for well over 20 years.  Prior to devoting himself exclusively to stone and historic masonry preservation, Jonathan attended violin making school, constructed cabinets, built houses and additions, as well as performed many other related trades.  He became a modern monument installer and cemetery contractor in 1986, and founded the New England Cemetery Service, performing excavation, foundations, monument installation and monument restoration. 

During the early 1990s, Jonathan became increasingly involved with the preservation aspect of historic graveyards and cemeteries.  He sought out and gained additional knowledge and training through all available sources, such as attending numerous workshops, conferences, studying sculpture and stone carving and through extensive travels and reading. He now owns and continually enlarges an extensive library including many rare books pertaining to all related subject matters; historic masonry & mortars, geology, sculpture, archeology, cemeteries, & ancient construction techniques.