HistoricHawaii

By Virginia Murison, Consulting Preservation Architect The importance and value of the skilled craftworker and the need to support traditional trades training has been recognized in the historic preservation field for many years. The average age of workers skilled in the preservation trades is rising. As these specialists approach retirement, it will be critical to find ways to share their expertise and build a new cadre of preservation trades workers. "Quality restoration work on historic buildings requires skilled workers in the traditional trades. Masons, carpenters, painters, plasterers, and others in the construction trades who know how to–and why we should–preserve, repair, replicate, and maintain historic materials and finishes are essential to historic preservation projects. However, the unfortunate reality is that there is an increasingly short supply of such craftspeople.” ~ Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Compounding the labor situation, the risk of significant climate-induced disasters such as severe flooding, wind and fire has become more prevalent. These extreme events can affect entire neighborhoods and/or larger regions simultaneously, leaving a trail of destruction. A workforce trained in the preservation trades can serve as an indispensable part of the recovery process, repairing much needed built sites for housing and commerce while preserving local identity and preventing history from being lost. HISTORIC RESOURCES Character-defining features convey the significance of the historical resource.  The visual aspects and physical features include materials, craftsmanship and decorative details. While all building materials can degrade over time, a thoughtful maintenance and repair schedule paired with skilled tradespeople can mitigate harm to historic structures and preserve collective heritage more effectively. The lack of trained preservation trades professionals in many markets creates an imbalance of supply and demand.  It also results in the loss of [...]