Plastered in Charleston !

Hayles and Howe’s Mark Mordhorst, Jim Meade, and Robert Johnson, trekked down to Charleston, SC, in a van loaded full of plaster materials to spend their weekend…plastering (a regular busman’s holiday!).

The weekend of September 28, 2012, Hayles and Howe participated in the 16^th Annual International Preservation Trades Workshop (IPTW 2012), put together by the Preservation Trades Network (PTN).  The Preservation Trades Network (PTN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit membership organization founded to provide education, networking and outreach for the traditional building trades. (www.ptn.org/index.htm)  The event was unique this year because it was a joint conference with The Association For Preservation Technology (APT).  APT is a cross-disciplinary, membership organization dedicated to promoting the best technology for conserving historic structures and their settings.  (http://www.apti.org/)

Seasoned IPTW presenters Mark and Jim, along with rookie IPTW presenter Robert, assisted historic preservation students applying plaster to the historic Old City Jail in Charleston.  Students came from all over the country, many from  the North Carolina region.  The Old City Jail is owned by the American College of the Building Arts (ACBA), and is a “living classroom” for students.  Our craftsmen and students worked together as they spread traditional three-coat lime plaster in a corridor.  They applied the plaster directly onto masonry, as the building was originally plastered.  Other trades offering training included masonry restoration with Andy deGruchy and his team from LimeWorks as well as  Ken Uracius of Stone and Lime Imports. Ken’s company manufactures the only authentic natural cement from the Rosendale limestone quarries in Rosendale, New York. 

Until the ACBA acquired the property, the Old City Jail sat vacant for some 60 years. The school has been working on the preservation of this building ever since.  Hayles and Howe was grateful to be a part of  training students in traditional skills and saving another old building that helps tell the story and legacy of American history.

Our craftsmen spent a busy Friday and Saturday working on the jail, but were able to sneak in a lecture on natural hydraulic lime and natural cement by Gerard Lynch, PhD, “The Red Mason”.  (Ok boys, get ready for your quiz!)  During the off-workshop hours they were able to catch up with old friends and make new ones, and have yet another great time at one more annual IPTW!