1772 Foundation awards $40,000 grant to program

The 1772 Foundation, based in Connecticut, has awarded a $40,000 grant to the Preservation Trades Technology Program.

The grant provides funding for the development of the final three courses of the curriculum, Painting Historic Buildings, Dealing with Environmental Concerns in Historic Buildings and Thermal Retrofitting Historic Buildings.  Funds are also provided for instructor training and development, course materials, library materials, scholarships and marketing.

"We are very excited to now have the resources to complete the build-out of this program," according to Barry Loveland, chair of the advisory committee for the Preservation Trades Technology Program.  "This is also strong validation from a national preservation-oriented foundation that this program is worthwhile investing in."

"They were extremely impressed with the college,  the enthusiasm and the support we receive from our partners," according to Allen Tate, Director of Development for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

The Preservation Trades Technology program is the only program of its kind in Pennsylvania that provides training to incumbent building trades workers, and students and others interested in the preservation and traditional trades.     

"Even though this grant is a tremendous boost, the program is still in need of financial support.  We are looking into other grant opportunities and also encourage individual and corporate donations," said Loveland.. 

If you wish to make a donation, please contact Allen Tate, Director of Development, at 717-391-7285 or tate@stevenscollege.edu 

Masonry preservation  courses delayed 

Three new  masonry preservation courses  that  have been added to the curriculum for the Preservation Trades Technology program,  have been delayed because of needing more time to prepare the teaching labs.   

Sample stone and brick walls need to be built in new masonry lab facilities that were not ready for the planned start of courses in January.  These courses are expected to be offered in the spring, so there is still time to register if interested in these courses.

Mortars in Preservation, Masonry Repair and Re-pointing and Masonry Cleaning will cover the full range of masonry restoration, maintenance and repair using appropriate materials and techniques. Visit the web site at www.stevenscollege.edu/preservationtrades to register.

Carpentry courses still open  

Two preservation carpentry courses still remain available for registrations, including Porch Preservation and Repair and Complex Moldings.  Students will receive excellent training from two nationally known craftsmen and instructors.  Visit the web site at www.stevenscollege.edu/preservationtrades to register.   

Visit us at the Historic Home Show  

The Preservation Trades Technology Program will have an information exhibit booth at the Lancaster Historic Home Show at the Lancaster County Convention Center, February 26-28.  Stop by and say hello, pick up one of our brochures and find out more about the program.  Visit www.lancasterhistorichomeshow.com for more information about the show.   

Program in the news  

The Preservation Trades Technology program  is featured in an article on the Traditional Building Magazine website at www.traditional-building.com/News/News02-05-10.html    

To receive future issues of Trades Talk, Please email baker@stevenscollege.edu to be added to our circulation list.

For more information about the program, contact Charles Byers at 717-391-3545 or byers@stevenscollege.edu

For information about available courses and registration, visit http://www.stevenscollege.edu/ (click on the link  to Preservation Trades Technology Program ) or contact  Jessica at 717-391-3543 or wdce@stevenscollege.edu

Look for us on the PHMC Web site, http://www.phmc.state.pa.us, and on FaceBook®.