Summer Workshop Focuses
on
Architecural Conservation Issues
Fourteen participants from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Tennessee attended a three-day architectural conservation workshop, June 27-29, sponsored by the Menokin Foundation and Rappahannock Community College . Participants represented a broad range of professions, including architects, contractors, artisans, and students in preservation-related fields. The workshop was held at the Martin Kirwan King Conservation and Visitors' Center on the grounds of Menokin—now a National Historic Landmark—built by Declaration of Independence signer Francis Lightfoot Lee for himself and his wife, Rebecca Tayloe of nearby Mount Airy.
The course used Menokin as a teaching laboratory for an intensive overview of 18 th -century framing and building techniques, and the conservation of historic masonry and wood elements. It was taught by conservators John Greenwalt Lee, Charles A. Phillips, AIA, who head-up the Foundation's consulting conservation team. Prof. Richard Wolbers with the University of Delaware 's Dept. of Art Conservation presented a session on paint microscopy. Prof. Wolbers is internationally known for his contributions to the conservation of painted surfaces. Architectural historian Jeffery Klee of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation presented a lecture on “reading” 18 th century buildings. The group also toured Grove Mount and Mount Airy, two 18th century houses that are in private ownership and are not usually open to the public. A third "behind the scenes" tour of Stratford Hall was led by Stratford's Director of Preservation Phil Mark.
The Menokin Foundation and RCC received positive feedback from the participants on the course, and suggestions for future conservation workshop topics. One student wrote in the evaluation, “There was something for all ability levels. I have been involved in preservation for almost 20 years and still found it interesting. There was refresher information and new information as well as new perspective of looking at things." Another student commented, "This was a great program and I hope you are able to keep offering it as you progress with the work at Menokin. Well organized, well run, excellent team of presenters."
Menokin Foundation Executive Director, Sarah Dillard Pope, is excited about the interest in this educational program, stating, “The Menokin Foundation is just starting with its educational offerings, and we are delighted about the favorable response to this second workshop.”
Students working with John Lee, Charles Phillips and Richard Wolbers on matching historic mortars
Practicing masonry pointing techniques in Menokin's conservation facility
Students piece together the interior woodwork from Menokin's northwest chamber as an introduction to 18th century joinery.
Class photo on the steps of Mount Airy