New Look! Photos!
This issue marks the launch of our newsletter’s updated design. It wasn’t enough to simply tell you about the amazing buildings we are working to save, we wanted to show you! From now on, you’ll see where we’re working, what we’re doing, the people we’re helping AND the volunteers helping us. We hope you enjoy our new look!

Volunteer Spotlight

Angela Sapp, a recently retired art teacher from Marietta, Georgia, traveled to HCN’s Virginia City, Montana workshop this summer. The project provided her a remarkable experience, from learning historic preservation techniques and wandering through an intact gold mining town - both for the first time - to meeting new friends. Here is a small excerpt from her journal, which can be read in its entirety on our website.

Participating in the Historic Finishes of the Old West workshop in Virginia City, Montana, was an education, an adventure and a lot of fun. Everywhere we looked we saw a scene from long ago. We had lots of questions: How did a whole town survive from the 1860's? How was it going to be preserved? Where would we start? As we walked along the main street, we saw stores open to the public, but also stores with only the original antique items in their windows and shelves. Continuing down the main street were a dentist, a hotel, a theater, even a court house and brewery and everything you could imagine in an old mining town. It looked real! It was real!

Workshop Spotlight

Prairie Preservation at the Hutmacher Farmstead
May 25-31, 2008, Killdeer, North Dakota, USA

Travel the back roads of North Dakota’s prairies, and you’ll discover a wealth of striking vernacular architecture. Many of these symbols of westward settlement are now deserted, and one by one pieces of America’s history are being lost. The Hutmacher Farmstead, although not yet 100 years old, is one of the last (and possibly the best) examples of stone-slab construction remaining in the state.
When building their farm in the 1920s, the Hutmachers - out of necessity - drew from a variety of materials found close at hand. The stone-slab building technique suited the family’s need for economical shelter and was remarkably durable in the harsh, resource-poor environment. The farm complex includes the house – occupied from 1928 through 1963 and expanded as needed – as well as a below-grade cellar, the ruins of a barn, a summer kitchen/butchering house, a poultry barn, and a garage. Join us as we work to save and restore the Hutmacher house.

Fund Raising Thanks, and a Little Farther to Go

Thanks to all of you who responded to our fundraising appeal. You have made this our most successful campaign ever. We are only $5400 short of our goal, and there is still time to contribute. For those of you in the U.S., remember that your donation is tax deductible.

Did you know that with your $50 donation, we can offer a place at a workshop in Armenia free of charge to a local student or low income resident? We keep our fees as low as possible, but even then they are sometimes too high for local residents to participate. Donations to our scholarship fund make it possible for anyone to attend a workshop and gain practical preservation experience. Our aim is to open the door of opportunity to every interested person, and exclude no one due to lack of funds. Support HCN today!

HCN on the Airwaves

Judith Broeker, one of HCN’s two co-founders, was a guest on Tilley & The Travel Maven Talk Travel, WWPR 1490 AM, based in Bradenton, Florida. She discussed the “volunteer vacation” experience, and how everyone – students to seniors – can actively participate in HCN’s workshops. From taking project notes to lifting timbers, there is a place for anyone interested in traveling for a good cause. After the interview, Tilley stated: “It was a true pleasure to have you as a guest today. The passion you exude in conversation about HCN came through loud & clear.” The Travel Maven said: “I really can’t begin to describe how impressed I am with HCN and the whole THEME!!!” Join us at one of our 2008 projects and see what all the excitement is about.

Give the Gift of History
Good Shop and Giveline Purchases Support HCN

Get ready - the holidays are just around the corner! As you make a gift list for family and friends, consider purchasing gifts from Good Shop or Giveline. Both sites allow you to designate Heritage Conservation Network as the beneficiary of your purchase, so you are actually giving two gifts for the price of one!

All About Albania
It seems everyone is talking about traveling to Albania these days. Of course, we are doing more than talking; we are holding a workshop there next year! If you are curious and want to learn more about the allure of this fascinating country, read this article about Albania from Geographical magazine. You will find our local preservation partner, Auron Tare, talking about one of his great successes – establishing the national park at Butrint. You can meet Auron, and support Albania’s energetic efforts to develop a healthy economy, when you attend our Kullë Conservation workshop.

Building Conservation Master Classes

For many years, building conservation courses offered by West Dean College were strictly for training English Heritage employees. Their short courses are now open to all, and participants receive a certificate validated by English Heritage. Topics include timber, masonry, architectural metal and plaster, among others. For more information, see: www.westdean.org.uk/site/restor/profdev/BCM/.

Job Opportunity

Project Specialist (Built Heritage) - Los Angeles, California

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) Education department is seeking a Project Specialist (Built Heritage) who will contribute professional expertise to GCI education projects focusing on conservation of built heritage, with special emphasis on architecture, archaeological sites and historic cities. The person will be involved in designing and implementing projects that apply and test new research and practical approaches for the conservation of built heritage. For a complete description and application information, see www.getty.edu/about/opportunities/sci_conservation_opps.html.

An excellent benefits package and salary commensurate with experience will be provided. International candidates welcome. Application deadline is December 10, 2007.

Conference Calendar

American Historical Association National Conference
January 3-6, 2008, Washington, D.C., USA

The theme for this, the American Historical Association's 122nd annual meeting, is "Uneven Developments". For information, see www.historians.org.

The Public Benefits of Historical Archaeology - Society of Historical Archaeology 2008 Conference
January 9-12, 2008, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Symposiums, sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and forums that address questions about the public benefit of historical archaeology. Includes several special sessions on the historical archaeology of New Mexico and the Southwest. For information, see www.sha.org.

Saving Places 2008: Promoting Colorado`s Heritage
February 6-8, Denver, Colorado, USA

Colorado Preservation, Inc.'s annual conference is the largest statewide historic preservation conference in the country. Saving Places is a forum for preservationists, architects, planners, community leaders, Commissioners, historians, archaeologists, state and local officials, educators, students, owners of old buildings, Main Street Coordinators, landscape architects, developers, contractors, sub-contractors, craftsmen, and advocates of preserving American heritage. For information, see www.coloradopreservation.org.

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