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April 3, 2013
Janet Kreger, MHPN Conference Co-Manager
734-222-9310
kregerj1981@att.net
Nancy Finegood, Executive Director
(517) 371-8080
finegood@mhpn.org
MHPN Annual 33rd Annual Conference:
A Closer Look at Track 3 Sessions
May 8-11, 2013, Northern Michigan University, Don H. Bottum University Center
Marquette, Michigan
LANSING, MI: Titled “Ingredients of Place” the 33rd annual conference presented by the Michigan
Historic Preservation Network (MHPN), takes place May 8-11 in Marquette, Michigan. The
conference provides four days of programming covering this year’s theme of placemaking, as well as
tracks on preservation information, preservation skills, and a new partner track featuring sessions by
the Michigan Barn Preservation Network, Michigan Main Street program, and professional
archaeologists.
One of the most popular of the five different educational tracks is the popular Skills track - or as it is
often called, the “hands-on” track. While we don’t always actually get to offer hands-on sessions, this
one is the nuts and bolts track for preservationists who actually want to do the work themselves!
Skills track sessions are available Thursday through Saturday, and many are approved for continuing
education credits by both the AICP and AIA.
The first session, “Albert Kahn, Herbert Davis, and the Conservation of Artificial Stone in Three
Michigan Buildings” will be presented from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 9th. Led by
Ron Koenig, MS, Architectural Conservator and Owner, Building Arts & Conservation, the session
looks at early twentieth century manmade materials which simulate natural ones. Gypsum-based
Caen Stone was scored to simulate stone blocks and used for important buildings of the period, such
as the Detroit Athletic Club, and Flint’s Charles Mott Estate. Maintenance issues arose early and
conservation now is necessary.
The second Skills track session is “Practical Renovation and Restoration at the Seiple House – A
Reality Check – An Off-Site Session in a Private Home.” Scheduled for 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM on
Thursday, May 9th, the session is limited to 20 people. This unique session offers a reality check for
those undertaking a major restoration project for an occupied home. Contractor Greg Seiple walks us
through his grand 1882 Eastlake-styled home to view 19 of the 25 interior rooms completed to date.
Study special products and techniques used for bringing original windows and plaster back to life,
insulating walls, restoring chimneys, and much more that can apply to your own project.
Friday, May 10, sessions in the Skills track begin with the 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM session entitled,
“Ingredients from This Place: Technical Knowledge of the U.P’s Wood, Metal, and Stone as Primary
Historic Building Materials. Led by Brian Black, General Manager, Grand River Builders – Historic
Building Restoration, the session considers the problems of local building materials. Some red
sandstone doesn’t delaminate. Some white pine lasts while some rots away. And copper gutters
seem to last forever. But why? Samples and project photos enliven this technical presentation on
historic U.P. building materials – along with a discussion of restoring them to last as long as possible
are included in the presentation.
MHPN “Ingredients of Place”
Page 2 of 3
The second Friday session in the track takes place from 10:45 AM to Noon. “How to Manage a
Project, or the Inner Workings of the Construction Process,” includes three speakers who address
different aspects of project management. Dave Varney, Owner, Century Restoration; Christine
Bowman, Executive Director, Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce and Owner, Community
Vision; along with Richard Newmann, AIA, Owner and Principal, Richard Newmann Architect, offer
suggestions on how to approach your next project with confidence, no matter if you are new to the
process or have a few projects that didn’t go as well as you hoped under your belt.
Friday Skills sessions continue from 2:15 PM – 5:00 PM, with a second off-site session. “Fire and
Art: The Craft of a Modern Working Blacksmith” provides up to 15 people an opportunity to visit the
private shop and studio of artist-blacksmith Gordon E. Gearhart. Here Gearheart along with is
colleague Dale Wedig, Professor of Art and Design, and Head, Metalsmithing and Sculpture
Programs, School of Art & Design, Northern Michigan University, introduce attendees to the ancient
art of the blacksmith. A Marquette resident, Gearhart creates everything from window pulls and light
fixtures to incredible works of art. Visit his working shop and studio to learn how metal is manipulated
at the hands of an accomplished artist-blacksmith.
The final educational session in the Skills track is offered as a two-part program Saturday, May 11,
from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM and continuing from 10:45 AM – 1:30 PM. “Navigating Building Codes,
Maintenance, and Lead Hazards in Historic Commercial Buildings…and Other Historic Buildings too!”
includes an in-seat session until approximately noons, then participants are invited to an historic
building undergoing restoration in Marquette. The session looks at the challenges of rehabilitating
historic buildings, sometimes the community’s greatest assets, and the building codes which often
seem to be deterrents to the process. Yet, codes can be effective tools in property redevelopment.
This workshop is for those who will benefit from learning about basic codes and applying them with
understanding. Common issues, such as accessibility, change in use, barrier-free access, upperfloor use, and scope-of-work impact are examined. An overview of lead issues and basic safety
recommendations is also included. Finally, a site visit allows participants the opportunity to apply
their understanding of the topics to an actual building! Speakers for the double session include,
Ronald Campbell, AIA, Principal Planner /
Preservation Architect, Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services; Jackie Hoist,
AIA, Preservation Architect and Certified Building Inspector, THA Architects Engineers; and Ellen
Thackery, MHPN / NTHP Field Representative for Southeast Michigan.
To learn about the conference, download the brochure at www.mhpn.org or request a copy at
admin@mhpn.org or (517) 371-8080. Costs range from $70-$390. There are special member
benefits (on-the-spot membership is on the registration form), single-day pricing, reductions for fulltime students, an early-bird discount, and low Saturday prices. The MHPN has not raised the
registration fees since 2008. And also consider that if you are coming a distance for the conference,
you may want to “Make It A Marquette Weekend.” The Landmark Inn has extended our conference
rate to include both Tuesday and Saturday nights, and a glance at the website for the Marquette
County Convention and Visitors Bureau – www.travelmarquettemichigan.com – shows you how much
there is to do in our host community!
***
The MHPN is Michigan’s statewide preservation organization and the advocacy and
resource group for preservationists from all backgrounds. Founded in 1981, the MHPN has
hosted this annual educational conference every year since it was founded, moving it
around the state to reach more and more people each year. For more information about
MHPN, please visit our website at: www.mhpn.org.
313 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48906