ADVENTURES IN PRESERVATION (AiP) ANNUAL REPORT 2019
This is how we connect people and preservation
Enriching experiential programs that safeguard heritage and foster community sustainability.
Introduction
Adventures in Preservation (AiP) jammers are a force, supporting AiP programming around the world. Like musicians — who come together to jam, create and enjoy their craft — AiP project team members, called jammers, use their passionate energy to help communities save their historic architecture while creating economic growth. As more who attend their first project become inspired and return for a second and third adventure, their forceful impact grows exponentially. At this point, two jammers share the record of attending four AiP projects, and have already registered for a fifth!
AiP’s remarkable working Board of Directors continues to drive the future of the organization. Board members are generous in giving their time and talents. With their expertise, the organization was able this year to revisit tasks left on our “to do” list and initiate new directions to support our mission.
Enjoy learning about our year!
“I can only share delight. Charles certainly made me feel like a most welcome guest. Eland made us feel like legit valuable help and he was great company while he supervised us! “— Dunans, Scotland 2019
Organizational Advances
Jammer Loyalty
In the last few years we have seen a marked increase in the number of onsite volunteers, or jammers, that return for a second, third or even fourth AiP project! This loyalty has greatly boosted AiP’s ability to hold multiple sessions within one year at the same location, as well as maintain four valuable projects annually.
We are so grateful for their strong and continuing support. Without it, AiP could not successfully move forward.
“I know I won’t be able to settle back into my normal routine until I figure out where to travel with AiP next. It was just great working and laughing with everyone.” — Burgie, Scotland 2019
Internship Program
A new internship program was initiated in 2019. We offered one internship at each hands-on project session. Deliverables expected from each intern were specified as:
- 30 hours of hands-on conservation per week on site
- Blog post sharing onsite experience
- 3 additional weeks working remotely with AiP in areas such as social media, grant writing/research, website needs, fundraising.
Stephanie Weinraub, AiP’s project development specialist in Scotland, interviewed a group of applicants for the Dunans project and ultimately selecting three candidates. She stated that the group was so talented that she couldn’t narrow the finalists down to two, one for each session. Julia Jeblick, Rebekah Salem-Dalgety and Courtney Chartier were selected and have worked with the board of directors on various tasks.
In addition to assisting with planning the Dunans project, Rebekah created a list of all online forums and websites where AiP can open an account and start to engage readers. Julia compiled a list of all websites where we can market projects or list AiP as a tour organizer at no cost. Courtney drafted communication guidelines for interacting on various platforms on the web.
The interns are so enthused by AiP’s program, they have agreed to continue working with and supporting AiP in 2020.
Engaged Board of Directors
It is often difficult to find qualified, motivated board members that stay engaged with the organization even when working virtually from a variety of locations. AiP has the good fortune of having seven excellent board members with expertise in outreach, fundraising, social media, project development and more.
This year our activity on social media was greatly expanded and an emphasis was placed on presenting information for community outreach. The organization could not fulfill our mission and continue to make progress without this dedicated group.
Outreach
CPI Conference Presentation — Preservation + Archaeology
In February, AiP teamed up with the Fairfield Foundation and Martorano Consultants to open a discussion on the benefits of partnership between historic preservation and archaeology. The team hosted a panel discussion at the annual conference of Colorado Preservation Inc., one of the largest statewide preservation conferences in the US. The session, entitled Partnership between Preservation & Archaeology to Increase Public Engagement, was followed by a spirited discussion with audience members.
Jolie Diepenhorst and Marcia Klopf of AiP explained how the organization has fine-tuned methodology for 17 years in order to maximize the impact of public involvement. Traditionally, archaeology and historic preservation at historic sites are viewed separately — archaeology is seen as below ground and preservation as the aboveground built environment. Dr. David Brown and Ashley McCuistion of the Fairfield Foundation gave examples of the value of combining archaeology with preservation at important historic sites. This call to action demonstrated that the commonly held idea of each field dealing with a site separately limits the benefits of potential dynamic partnerships.
Articles Highlight Kosovo Adventure
Agnesa Sejdiu is a journalist from Prishtina, Kosovo, who works for the online media outlet, Ndërtimi. While covering construction, infrastructure, architecture and design, she found information on two Adventures in Preservation projects in Kosovo and Albania. She was inspired by these projects and wrote an article, Adventures in Preservation: If once a historic building is gone, it’s gone forever, posted March 14, 2019.
A second article was written by Zoje Sadiku, a journalism student from Gjakova, Kosovo. Her assignment at the University of Prishtina was to write an article within the framework of “Massculture”. Her article focused on how visitors to Kosovo see the Albanian culture, and she was intrigued by the work taken on by AiP.
Practical Preservation Services
In March, Judith Broeker, AiP Program Director, participated in a podcast hosted by Practical Preservation Services. This is a group of preservation builders specializing in 18th, 19th, and early 20th century buildings. They were eager to share AiP’s program with their listeners.
Pioneer Productions
Pioneer Productions, based in London (www.pioneertv.com), is a highly regarded television production company specializing in science and engineering series for some of the leading broadcasters including BBC, National Geographic Channel, Channel Four, and Science Channel.
Crispin Green, Development Producer, contacted AiP regarding a TV project under development. He was searching for abandoned factories in the US, available to be renovated and brought back to life. Two possibilities included the Lonaconing Silk Mill in Maryland and abandoned factories in Central Aguirre, Puerto Rico. AiP provided him with information on how preservation of such properties might work in the US, and gave him the basis to move forward with his search.
Delft, Netherlands Conference
In November, Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald, AiP’s long-time partner in Montana, presented a paper at a conference in Delft, Netherlands in which he discussed the value of Adventures in Preservation’s methodology in the field of building conservation. He also visited the Center for Global Heritage and Development to discuss how workshops such as those at Bannack, Montana, could be a potential pathway for the Center to attain self-sufficiency. Collaboration is currently under consideration between the Center and AiP. Options are projects in the Netherlands or possibly India or Australia.
2019 Projects
Gyumri Gallery, Armenia
Nine jammers traveled to Armenia in 2019 with AiP’s Program Director, Judith Broeker. The May and August groups donated a combined 472 hours of labor on conservation projects at the Gallery of Miriam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan. Wood windows and doors were repaired and restored; iron gates were cleaned and repainted.
The architecturally significant Gallery houses the Aslamazyan art collection and provides educational and hands-on programs for school children and the public. In 2019, more than 5000 students and community members were served. The Gallery had approximately 12,000 visitors.
If you thought a trip with Adventures in Preservation was simply a work trip, keep reading about one day in Gyumri and see how jammers experience life in the Shirak region of Armenia.
As we take the short walk along the bustling main street — passing fresh produce, coffee shops and the pigeon vendor — we anticipate what our preservation expert, Naruk, will say about the progress we made yesterday scraping and sanding the historic wood door and window frames at the Aslamazyan Gallery. Are we ready for the next step? Applying putty to repair cracks and damaged sections. The answer is, yes, so we’ll start that now.
We work outside in the courtyard with spring flowers blooming and the project set up under the wooden balcony, one of the last completely intact traditional wood balconies still in place in Armenia. It is also in great need of conservation work if funds can be raised.
We work with enthusiasm, because of our great progress and in anticipation of Silva …
AiP continues to search for grants and corporate sponsors to help remediate the Gallery’s serious problems. The building’s heating system is inadequate with harsh winter weather requiring staff to move all paintings and art to one area where temperature can be somewhat controlled by space heaters. The drainage system traps water in the basement that can only escape by wicking up the stone walls. These are issues that cannot be dealt with by AiP jammers, and engagement from sponsors is greatly appreciated.
Bannack Ghost Town, Montana USA
In August, eight jammers headed to Bannack, Montana, a remarkable destination in the US mountain west. With 60 buildings still standing from the gold rush era (c.1862), this site is now a ghost town that represents a key era of US history, the beginnings of the State of Montana and part of the story of the displacement of Native Americans.
In 2013, a flash flood tore through Bannack and seriously damaged many of the 60 historic buildings. In order to save this valuable resource, a creative solution is required that addresses the critical need for a sustainable method to offset costs of preservation and maintenance treatments. The August 2019 team of AiP jammers was ready for the challenge, taking on the Marmot Shack and the Jackson House. Financial support was provided by a grant from the Montana History Foundation.
Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald, AiP’s partner in Montana, said about the week:
“The extremely dedicated and hard-working group, representing a range of ages and abilities, all participated with energy and enthusiasm to complete:
- removal of failing daubing
- application of linseed and mineral spirit solutions to log and wood surfaces
- analysis, preparation, and application of historic lime-based mortar and daubing replacement formulas.The Bannack project brought together attendees from across the US, along with heritage professionals from throughout Montana. These included Maintenance and Preservation staff of Bannack State Park and the Montana Heritage Commission, in addition to Archaeological and scholarly support from the Great Falls and Cascade County Historic Preservation Officer and University of Montana Department of Anthropology.”
Jammers donated 258 hours of labor to complete exterior conservation work on the two structures.
The ultimate goal of the Bannack ghost town project is to establish a preservation institute open to attendees worldwide, bringing together students, scholars and professionals from a range of disciplines. Attendees will be allowed to carry out research and practice a variety of treatments in preservation and related fields.
August 2019 was the inaugural session of the Bannack Preservation Institute, which proved to be a great success. The next session is scheduled for August of 2020 and once again will be supported by a grant from the Montana History Foundation.
Dunans Bridge & Castle, Scotland
In September, we headed back to Dunans bridge and castle project on the Cowal Peninsula along the west coast of Scotland. This remarkable opportunity to work on an A-listed structure, a bridge built by Thomas Telford, brought jammers back for more. In two weeks, twelve jammers finished repointing an entire arch in the bridge. Our new instructor, Eland Stuart, was an excellent teacher and leader, and definitely raised the fun quotient. Four people were back for a second year, and they have all four registered to return again in 2020!
We returned to Dunans after a great experience in 2018. It was very gratifying to see how the work in 2018 facilitated continued investment and progress in the preservation of the Bridge. We were excited to hear about the plans for scaffolding the Castle, and look forward to the day when we can work inside!
Our technical advisor, Eland Stuart, was amazing. He kept a hand on all the work, and provided a lot of one-on-one tutoring on technique. He didn’t seem fazed in the least that he was working with a bunch of serious amateurs. — Dunans, Scotland 2019
Jammers gave 455 hours of donated labor to successfully complete arch repair. We’ll take on the next arch in 2020, AND it will be time to climb into the castle turret and begin conservation work there. This is a milestone we’ve all been waiting for!
Burgie Edwardian Glasshouse, Scotland
AiP was excited to continue our project at the 1912 Burgie greenhouse near Forres, Scotland, where the central glasshouse was repaired and re-glazed in 2017. We returned with a feeling of urgency to take on the historic east room before the roof’s structural timber failed.
The Burgie Estate goes back centuries, with remnants of a 15th c castle still standing. Most of the castle’s stone was reassembled into the Burgie Manor House in the early 1800s, and this is where jammers stayed while working.
For the past twelve years, Hamish Lochore has researched and collected tree seeds from around the world to find those best suited for the region. His goal is to help address the effects of a changing climate, which has stressed the native species of trees. The seeds are nurtured in the greenhouse, and then planted in the 60-acre arboretum. Without a working greenhouse, development of the arboretum is impossible.
Prior to AiP’s arrival in late September, Hamish had local craftsmen complete the replacement of the cracked and failing timber. The room needed to be structurally sound before jammers began their work. It was our task to treat and paint the wooden roof structure, followed by learning to measure the irregular openings and cut glass to fit. The final step was installing glass using lime putty. Eleven volunteers over two weeks completed about 80% of the work, donating 413 hours of labor. We were joined by a WOOFer (agricultural volunteer) from France, and he learned reglazing skills along with the jammers. After our departure, he and Hamish completed the glazing!
The glass house looks amazing- it’s so nice when a project comes together and I am so proud to have played a small part in it! Thank you Stephanie Weinraub for your guidance and patience as Project Coordinator. May the Burgie Green House stand another 100 years! — Burgie, Scotland 2019
Traveling with AiP is as much about experiencing the culture and heritage as it is about skills training and working onsite. During our stay, we took time for a variety of exciting excursions. Jammers traveled to the medieval city of Elgin to tour the ruined cathedral and the historic Johnston’s Woolen Mill. One afternoon was spent at sheep dog trials, followed by delicious seafood and a walk on the beach at Findhorn. A one-day excursion took us to the best of the Black Isle, and our time ended with an evening of Scottish folk stories and music by a performer from the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Project Development
Central Aguirre, Puerto Rico
A request came to AiP from one of our strongest supporters, Maria del Pilar Pastor. Maria works at a nonprofit in Puerto Rico bringing economic recovery following Hurricane Maria. She introduced us to Astrid Diaz, a celebrated architect in Puerto Rico, and together we hope to establish a new project in Central Aguirre, PR.
The Aguirre Sugar Mill opened in the mid 1800s in southeastern Puerto Rico and was so prosperous that beginning in 1899 an entire town grew up around it. The Aguirre company town was almost autonomous, having a train system, schools, hospital, hotel, golf course, movie theater, Post Office, stores, and housing for mill workers adjacent to the mill.
Production peaked in 1961, followed by steady decline and closure of the mill in 1990. More than 400 buildings survive today in the Historic District of Central Aguirre in various stages of deterioration caused by aging, 2017 hurricanes and insufficient resources for maintenance. Central Aguirre was placed on the World Monuments Fund 2020 list of 25 most at risk historic sites.
The World Monuments Fund will collaborate with the Puerto Rico State Historical Conservation Office (OECH) and local nonprofit organizations to implement training opportunities in traditional wood construction methods for local craftspeople and residents. This is a great opportunity for AiP and our jammers to join this effort and take part in a long-term project that will encourage economic development of the region.
Grant Support
Montana History Foundation
The Montana History Foundation (MHF) was a generous supporter of AiP’s Montana project — Bannack Ghost Town Post Flood Preservation. The Foundation provided a $4000 grant to help cover the fees for two experts who taught hands-on skills and led jammers in the work.
MHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that raises money and provides funding for history and preservation projects across Montana. The Foundation’s central goal is to generate public support to save the rich cultural heritage and historic resources of the state. Their approach is both creative and personal, offering donors the opportunity to connect with and support projects of special interest to them.
Following the very successful August 2019 project, AiP applied for continuing support from MHF to help fund the 2020 Bannack project. Due to the large amount of quality work completed in 2019, MHF was pleased to once again provide a grant. We thank them for their continued generous support.
Google Grant
Google again provided a grant via Google AdWords, allowing AiP to improve our marketing and broaden our outreach. The value of our AdWords campaign in was $1436.
PayPal Giving Fund
Since becoming a member of the PayPal Giving Fund, AiP is able to receive donations with no fee charged to either the donor or AiP. We are very pleased to be part of this program that allows us to apply all donated funds directly to our projects.
Financials
AiP brought in $60,100 in revenues, with $47,850 coming in from registration fees for specific projects. Our staff donated 1923 hours at a value of $48,900. This allowed us to run five successful hands-on sessions at four sites. The impact made by AiP is possible due to the substantial generosity and enthusiasm of our staff and our jammers.
Full financials can be accessed from our IRS Form 990 found on GuideStar (www.guidestar.org).
While we continue to accomplish a remarkable amount of preservation with very limited funding, securing grants and corporate sponsorship to become financially sustainable continues to be AiP’s top priority. Our goal is to gain sufficient support to both lower project registration fees and bring a paid staff member on board. We welcome funders and sponsors to join AiP, our onsite partners and our jammers to move our innovative organization forward.
Please let me thank you for one of the best weeks of adventure ever! I’m still reliving my time there with you all through my pictures. Keep up the great work. I’ll be following and selecting my next AiP trip.
