Practical Preservation

On this week’s episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast, Danielle spoke with Josh Blanc of Clay Squared to Infinity in Minneapolis Minnesota. From their website, “Clay Squared crafts handmade tiles in many shapes and colors for kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, and as art tile. We feature tile by local and national artists and offer the largest selection of historic reproduction tile lines in the US.”Danielle and Josh discussed matching historic materials and why it is better to preserve and restore than renovate and redesign historic properties and homes. They also discuss why buying from small businesses is better for your historic home.You can find Clay Squared online at www.claysquared.com, on Instagram @claysquared, and contact them by phone 612-781-6409, or by email josh@claysquared.com

On this week's episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast, Danielle spoke with Andrew Cushing, Bureau of Historic Sites Chief for the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Danielle and Andrew discussed how and why to research the history of your home. 

On this week's special Halloween episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast Danielle spoke with Leslie Stainton,author of "Staging Ground: An American Theater and Its Ghosts" about the historic Fulton Theater in Lancaster Pennsylvania. They discussed place preservation, the theater's history dating back to the 1700's, and Leslie's experience with a ghost hunter on the grounds.You can find "Staging Ground: An American Theater and Its Ghosts" at the Penn State University Press online bookstore, or at major online retailers.  

On this week’s episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast, Danielle spoke with Jere Gibber, Executive Director of the National Preservation Institute (NPI).Danielle and Jere discussed the importance of volunteering in addition to for profit work in the field of preservation. Jere also talked about the history of NPI and the trainings available through their organization. You can find the trainings and NPI’s podcast on their website at www.npi.org. You can contact Jere, and NPI at 703-765-0100, or via email at info@npi.org. 

On this week's episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast Danielle spoke with Russ Carnahan of  Preservation Action. Danielle and Russ discussed the importance of advocating on behalf of preservation, and how individuals can be involved.  Preservation Action is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization created in 1974 to serve as the national grassroots lobby for historic preservation. Preservation Action seeks to make historic preservation a national priority by advocating to all branches of the federal government for sound preservation policy and programs through a grassroots constituency empowered with information and training and through direct contact with elected representatives. You can find more information on Preservation Action's advocacy, and information on how to get involved, on their website.  And don't forget! The Preservation Network's Silent Auction begins October 25th, with a live virtual event on November 2. 

On this week's episode of the Practical Preservation podcast, we spoke with Catherine Fleming Bruce, author and activist. Catherine is the author of "The Sustainers: Being, Building and Doing Good through Activism in the Sacred Spaces of Civil Rights, Human Rights and Social Movements" which received the 2017 Historic Preservation Book Prize from the University of Mary Washington Center for Historic Preservation. Catherine advocates for the preservation of historic spaces significant to the civil rights movement, and discussed the importance of equality in preservation, and ensuring the economic benefits of preservation projects go back to the surrounding communities. You can find Catherine's book on Amazon, You can find Catherine on Twitter @TNOVSA, or on Instagram @bruce_catherine. You can contact Catherine via email at tnovsacfb@gmail.com. 

On this week's episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast we spoke with Marc Jamieson of Ontario, Canada based Heather & Little, a family owned custom metal fabrication business. Marc started with the family business as a child and learned the ins and outs as he grew up, now Marc's son is starting his sheet metal apprenticeship. Listen in to hear more about why restoration building is green building and about some of the unique projects Heather and Little has worked on.  You can contact Heather & Little via phone at 866.855.5371, or by email at info@heatherandlittle.com. 

On this week's episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast Danielle spoke with author Michael Olmert about his book Kitchens, Smokehouses, and Privies: Outbuildings and the Architecture of Daily Life in the Eighteenth-Century Mid-Atlantic. Michael explained how by looking at buildings, we can discover clues about every day life from when they were used. We also learned about hexagonal and octagonal rooms, and why 18th century American dairies had northern facing doors. You can find Michael in the English Department at University of Maryland. 

On this week's episode, we spoke with Kelly Parks, realtor at Paris Gibson Realty in Montana, specializing inhistoric farms, ranches, and estates. We discussed Kelly's experience with her historic homes, and her advocacy for historic spaces in Montana and across the country. We also discussed positive trends in preservation and why we shouldn't be afraid of taking on historic renovation projects. You can contact Kelly via email at Kelly@ParisGibson.com or by phone at 406-788-6826.

On this week's episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast we spoke with author Marc Howard Ross about his book Slavery in the North: Forgetting History and Recovering Memory. Marc told us about his research and how how got interested in learning about how America chooses to document, or forget, history. You can contact Marc via email at Marc.Ross66@gmail.com.

On this week's episode Danielle spoke with John Phillips of Associated Crafts & Willet Hauser Architectural Glass, Inc about the modernization of stained glass preservation and why educating customers is critical. You can find more information about Associated Crafts & Willet Hauser Architectural Glass, Inc. on their website at: https://stained-glass-window.us.

Glenn Eldridge ‘The Tinman’ from Chelsea Decorative Metal Co.  joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss tin ceilings.  Chelsea Decorative Metal Co. manufactures tin ceiling panels in a variety of patterns and sizes including Art Deco, Victorian, and Turn of the Century. You can reach Glenn at: Tin Ceilings by The Tinman : Chelsea Decorative Metal Company or Chelsea Decorative Metal Co. | Facebook or Tinman83@earthlink.net or Tel: 713-721-9200

Gwen Jones and Karla Pearlstein of Ariel Grace Design joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss custom floor cloths, Bolling & Co. (a previous podcast guest – Gwen is a co-owner), and the Preservation Artisans Guild. You can contact Ariel Grace Designs at: 503-206-2631 or info@arielgracedesign.com or by visiting their website: Custom Floorcloth Makers | Painted Canvas Rugs | Canvas Floorcloths | – Ariel Grace Design

Bo Sullivan joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss a long career in preservation and his two companies Bolling & Co. (period style wallpaper as art) and Arcalus Period Design

On this week’s episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast we spoke with Mindy Crawford, Executive Director of Preservation Pennsylvania. We discussed the role of the preservation office and the importance of local advocacy in protecting historic buildings. You can find more information on Preservation Pennsylvania and membership opportunities on their website.

On this week’s episode we speak with Neil Rippingale of NR Stonecraft about the history and craft of dry stone.  You can contact Neil via email at neilrippingale@aol.com.   On this week’s episode we speak with Neil Rippingale of NR Stonecraft about the history and craft of dry stone.  You can contact Neil via email...Read More

Rory Brennan of Plaster Magic joined the podcast today to discuss his unique products and why repairing is often a better (and easier!) option than replacing, especially when it comes to plaster.   You can find Plaster Magic products on their website: https://plastermagic.com, and you can contact the office via email at info@plastermagic.com, or by phone...Read More

This week on the Practical Preservation Podcast we spoke with Sarah Marsom, Heritage Resource Consultant. We discussed how changes in communication during the pandemic have opened up resources to those who may not have been able to access them before and why inclusive storytelling is important to preservation. We also discussed the importance of salary...Read More

On this week’s episode, we spoke with Alyssa Frystak of PlaceEconomics about the benefits of deconstruction, and how data can be used to preserve historic neighborhoods and affordable housing. You can find Ms. Frystak’s recent papers on these topics on the PlaceEconomics website at: https://www.placeeconomics.com. There, you will also be able to find the Weekend...Read More

This week on the podcast, we spoke with Candacy Taylor of Taylor Made Culture. We discussed The Green Book, and Ms. Taylor’s latest project documenting Green Book sites across the country. We also discussed the importance of place preservation, and why documenting sites that no longer exist is critical to the American story. You can...Read More