On August 12-13, 2006 the Preservation Trades Network and New Castle Historical Society held the 1st Regional Preservation Trades Workshop modeled on the International Preservation Trades Workshop (IPTW) format. The New Castle Workshop featured masters of the traditional building trades, presenting "hands on" demonstrations of preservation and restoration techniques in the heart of New Castle's National Historic Landmark District including demonstrations on:

• Restoring wood windows and doors
• Historic paints and finishes
• Plaster repair
• Timber framing
• Masonry repair and restoration
• Stained glass repair and conservation

The New Castle Workshop drew a diverse audience of tradespeople, architects, preservation organization staff members, historic property stewards, state and local goverment employees, homeowners, and the curious to the town Green in the heart of New Castle's National Historic Landmark District.  This event provided learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Partners:
Since its founding in 1934, the New Castle Historical Society has worked to promote historical awareness, and encourage the preservation of historical architecture, documents and material culture in New Castle.  Three historic houses owned by the Society: the Amstel House, Dutch House and Old Library Museum are open to the public for group and individual tours. The Historical Society is also involved in educating the public about the history of New Castle and in disseminating information through exhibits, programs, lectures, publications and resource materials. Other local partners included:

• City of New Castle
• Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
• Historical Society of Delaware
• Historic Area Commission of New Castle
• New Castle Visitors BureauVelocipede Museum

Thanks to all the presenters, partners and sponsors who helped make this such a successful event.  Special thanks to Duffy Hoffman, Rhonda Deeg, Bruce Dalleo, Cara Blume, Debbie Martin and all of the NCHS volunteers.  Thanks also to Mon-Ray, Inc. for their support of the New Castle Preservation Trades Workshop.

Demonstrators and Presenters:

Graham Banks, Mark Mordhorst & Tavon Edmunds - Hayles and Howe, Maryland
Historic Plaster Repair Techniques - Live demonstration of plaster repair at historic properties on the New Castle Green using traditional tools, materials and techniques.

Robert Cagnetta & Michael Robinson - Heritage Restoration, Inc., Rhode Island
Winging it on the Job - Using a few tools to make almost anything. The essentials for the generic list. From painting to masonry to carpentry - how to get it done.

Rhonda L. Deeg - Harford Community College, Maryland
Stained Glass Repair and Restoration - Learn the basics of how to repair and maintain leaded and stained glass windows. History, tools, techniques and types of glass will be covered. 

Andy deGruchy - deGruchy Masonry Restoration, Inc., Pennsylvania
Patch pointing and repair of Historic brickwork - Patch pointing and repair of historic brickwork using lime and sand.

John Friedrichs - New Dimension Building, Virginia
Brick Paving Restoration
Hands on workshop on the New Castle Green in dry laid brick paving restoration- the hows, whys, tools, and materials. 

David Gibney- Historic Restoration Specialists, Maryland
Porches and Porticos - Learn about exterior porches and early American pattern books that were used for the design of porches and porticos followed by a demonstration on tools, techniques for repair and maintenance.

David Hayles & Angelique Bakalyar - Hayles and Howe, Maryland
The Magic of Scagliola - ongoing demonstration - Anyone who has visited courthouses and statehouse in America has seen and been impressed by scagliola.  Often assumed to be marble, scagliola appears in and as countless columns and walls in public buildings.  The word "scagliola" is derived from the Italian word "scaglia" meaning splinters or chippings, and refers to the use of small pieces of semi-precious stones and marble bedded into a background paste to form pictures and designs.  This demonstration will illustrate ancient and modern techniques in the application and restoration traditional and marezzo scagliola.

Duffy Hoffman - Hoffman Painting and Refinishing, Pennsylvania
Restoration and Weatherization of Window Frames - Restoration of wood windows through re-installation and weatherization. Overview of the history of  window sash and glass, removal, repair, glazing and re-installation.  

Duffy Hoffman - Hoffman Painting and Refinishing, Pennsylvania
Paint Practices for Historic Structures - Discussion of modern and traditional paint methods, including appropriate preparation, paint and primer selection and application. Learn about traditional paint colors, tools, techniques and safety practices. 

Cliff Hoffman - Hoffman Painting and Refinishing, Pennsylvania
Chair Caning: ongoing demonstration - Learn the basics of how to properly cane your antique chairs.

Glenn James- Craftwright, Inc, Maryland
The Timber Framer’s Take on if Walls Could Talk - Replicating the timber frame behind the wattle and daub plaster wall at the Historic Dutch House.  

Mike Logan- Howard County Recreation and Parks, Maryland
The Timber Framer’s Take on if Walls Could Talk - Replicating the timber frame behind the wattle and daub plaster wall at the Historic Dutch House.  

Al White- Howard County Recreation and Parks, Maryland
The Timber Framer’s Take on if Walls Could Talk - Replicating the timber frame behind the wattle and daub plaster wall at the Historic Dutch House. 

Joan Larrivee - Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Delaware's Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program - Provides information on qualifying for receipt of Delaware's Historic Preservation Tax Credits.  This program assists property owners in the preservation of historic buildings and encourages reinvestment in existing communities by providing Delaware income tax credits for the substantial rehabilitation of National Register-listed properties. 

Robert Mosko - Mosko Cemetery Monument Services, Pennsylvania
Cost Specifics of Cemetery Conservation - Discussion of the costs and techniques used in the conservation of cemetery headstones.

Art Novotny III- Arts Odd Jobs, Maryland
Blacksmithing- ongoing demonstration - Basics of forge and blacksmithing work.

Jack Patchin, Ol' House Experts, Maryland & John Lindtner, Building Preservation Services, Delaware
Privy Repair: On-going - Maintenance and repair of the historic privy located behind the Old Library Museum.  

Jeffrey Price - Virginia Lime Works, Virginia
Masonry Mortars: Past and Present - Discussion and demonstration about various traditional mortars from the U.S. and around the world.  

Jimmy Price - Virginia Lime Works, Virginia
Brick Sculpture- ongoing demonstration - Demonstration of the art of brick sculpture.  

Mike Orrell- Hoffman Painting and Refinishing, Inc., Pennsylvania
Historic Doors and Shutters - Problems in situ; inspection on the bench. Is disassembly necessary? Using a Dutchman: epoxy overview. Techniques for replacing louvers without disassembly. Common repairs and their solutions. Rehanging a door or shutter. Weather stripping: applied vs. integrated. Hardware: restoring, installing, fine tuning. General working principles and how they affect the outcome of a project.  

Greg Strom - Strong Brothers, Pennsylvania
Slate Roof and Gutter Repair - How to preserve and repair one of the most serviceable and long-lasting historic roofing materials.

Tim Winther - Cresthill Stoneworks, Virginia
Corner Stones: Material Selection to Setting - Demonstration of making and setting a finished stone and tools, materials, and safety concerns.

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