Masonry—whether brick, stone, terra-cotta, or concrete block—comprises a significant part of historic buildings. Although inherently durable, masonry requires proper care to prevent deterioration. The National Park Service’s Preservation Brief #2 describes the benefits of mixing traditional lime mortar. They imply that lesser quality material is acceptable due to the scarcity of craftspeople with knowledge to install these mortars. We aim to reduce this scarcity rather than rely on lower quality.
Each workshop will equip those in architecture, construction, and historic preservation with skills to work with traditional mortars through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice. Day 1 of 2 will focus on understanding history, chemistry, and the importance of using historic mortars as opposed to modern materials. On day 2, attendees will gain experience examining joints, identifying sections that need to be re-pointed, preparing joints for repointing, mixing, and applying mortar.
Learning Objectives
1. Understanding the history of traditional mortar, why mortar has changed, and the effect that modern mortar has on historic materials.
2. Understand the value of mortar analysis (both spectral and chemical) for today’s structures and how matching materials impacts buildings.
3. Be able to identify and evaluate materials, formulas and techniques to the use of traditional mortar.
4. Demonstrate understanding through participating in second day’s hands-on application of repointing at a real-life historic building site.
To register, CLICK HERE.
Workshop Dates/Locations (8AM to 5PM Each Date)
- April 7th and 8th in Fairbury, Nebraska
- April 10th and 11th in Fairbury, Nebraska
- April 14th and 15th in Milford, Iowa
- April 17th and 18th in Milford, Iowa
A program made in partnership between Berggren Architects, the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the Nebraska Masonry Alliance.
