![]() ![]() This method was easiest when sitting on the log in a sawhorse for stabilization and pulling the draw knife with the beveled edge down towards you. To start, we began with log peeling using a draw knife. I had never used any of these tools before, so I had a lot to learn. Our project for the week was to begin building the walls of a future storage building to learn how to use the different tools and try traditional, all by hand, techniques that were used when many historic log structures were initially built. Learning from White Grass Preservationist Tim Green, we talked safety-including goggles, gloves, personal awareness, and tool specific considerations-and watched demonstrations of the different techniques. The next three days of the workshop were entirely hands-on. ![]() Additionally, we did condition assessments of log structures throughout the park to put our new knowledge to the test. Much like in conservation, we discussed who the stakeholders were and used theoretical scenarios to decide what the appropriate response would be. Supplementing our two days with the wood scientist, we were instructed by preservationist Erin Gibbs to discuss how to document preservation, and the impacts-both positive and negative-that preservation may have, and what signifies significance. For each activity, I worked alongside historic preservationists Mike Cardis from the Historic Preservation Training Center in Maryland and Robert Story from Yosemite National Park, merging our different perspectives based not only on experience level but also on geographic location. Rather than only having discussions, we worked together to do hands on activities demonstrating each aspect we put wood chunks in water and watched it wick the water up along the grain (or through the “straws" as the scientist demonstrated with actual straws in a bundle) we put together a log sawn in 14 pieces as a “puzzle" to learn about sawing patterns we got to play with Lincoln logs to consider if the wooden logs in the building we built would survive. We learned to identify different aspects of wood and all the ins and the outs of how wood and logs react to different conditions. Throughout the week, my cabin would be used as an example of previous preservation and be used for a condition assessment of the logs that made up the structure.ĭay one and day two of the workshop were filled with learning from a fast-talking expert wood scientist, Ron Anthony. Deemed the “nice" cabin by the caretakers, I had the two bed one bath building all to myself, with rocking chairs on the porch overlooking a meadow. After I collected my linens and bear spray, I surveyed my cabin for the week. From the start, I knew this workshop would be unlike anything I had yet to experience. Before I arrived all I knew about my stay at the ranch was that I would be given two things: linens and bear spray. The historic ranch, called a “dude" ranch because wealthy East coasters would come to play cowboy in the Wyoming mountains, previously underwent a full-scale preservation project to modernize and make the 1913 log structures viable accommodations for the 21st-century visitor. I also went hoping to learn how the field of conservation and the field of historic preservation differed in terms of approach and ethical considerations.Īs part of the workshop, I had the opportunity to stay within the park for the week at White Grass Dude Ranch. I previously had worked in a historic preservation archive and was eager to see what preservation looked like out in the field and on a larger scale. This traditional technique workshop appealed to me because of the potential to learn hands-on historic preservation approaches taught by practicing preservationists. This adventure was generously funded through the Vicki Cassman Undergraduate Award in Art Conservation. ![]() ![]() This summer I attended a National Park Brick, Earth, Stone, Timber (BEST) workshop in Traditional Wood and Log Preservation and Repair that took place in Grand Teton National Park. Examination Methods and Scientific Terms. ![]()
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