Preserving History: New Hampshire’s Initiative to Train the Next Generation in Historic Building Techniques
The United States boasts numerous structures that have stood the test of time, yet the expertise to maintain them is in short supply. In New Hampshire, a unique educational program is stepping up to address this gap by equipping high school students with the skills needed to restore these historic buildings.
New England’s landscape is dotted with historic homes, barns, and churches, but the pool of skilled workers capable of repairing these structures is dwindling. Jackie Harris of New Hampshire Public Radio highlights a program aiming to change this by involving high school students in the preservation of these architectural treasures.
Joshua Adams, a student who had never encountered timber framing before, is now learning this ancient building method. “They didn’t use nails. They just used wood – wooden pegs – and all fit together perfectly,” Adams explained, describing the process where heavy timbers are joined without metal fasteners.
Adams, already versed in carpentry through his technical school, sees this training as a pathway to numerous job opportunities, especially as he recalls frequent visits to historical sites with his grandfather. “There’s so much historical stuff… but I think people just aren’t pursuing it,” he noted.
A University of New Hampshire survey revealed a troubling trend: young people are not entering the historic trades workforce as quickly as older tradespeople are retiring. Jennifer Goodman of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance warns that delays in repair work might discourage owners from restoring old buildings, potentially leading to the loss of significant architectural features or even entire structures.
“And what that can mean is, you know, loss of old windows, loss of old plaster, loss of an old porch that’s really a – gives the building its character,” Goodman stated, emphasizing the potential consequences of neglect.
Among the sites benefiting from this training is Canterbury Shaker Village, a national historic landmark established in the 1700s. The village provides a hands-on training ground for participants learning to maintain these centuries-old buildings.
Rowan McGrath, an 18-year-old computer engineering student, is one of those diversifying his skill set by learning to replace shingles on colonial Shaker buildings. “So much people want to go into the tech industry. It’s, you know, AI. You know, it’s a big thing that’s going to probably take over tech. So I have something I can rely on as a backup, and it makes pretty good money,” McGrath remarked.
Kevin Fife, a stonemason teaching stone wall reconstruction, has dedicated his career to preserving the stone structures that define the region’s heritage. “I like to do it the traditional way ’cause that’s a part of our ancestry, our heritage. And that’s why people come to New England. And it’s just – it’s more fitting,” said Fife, reflecting on the cultural significance of his work.
Fife hopes his class will inspire students to pursue careers in these trades, potentially ensuring the continued preservation of landmarks like the Shaker’s stone walls for future generations.
