REPAIRER OF BROKEN WALLS

Plaster Casting

2010-06-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

The hand

The mold making materials and process:

The mixing of mold making material.

The pouring and fast set of mold.

The finished mold.

The plaster mixing, pouring into mold, and reinforcement.

The finished plaster replication.

Dentistry, Artistry and Masonry

2010-06-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

Exploring ways to duplicate architectural terra cotta

Plaster molds

are quick setting, but a mess to work with...

and tough to remove from the original piece...

successfully.

Home-made play dough

is easy to make and use...

imprints well...

but isn't durable.

A dental imprint product

mixes easy...

is pliable...

sets very fast...

and releases clean..

to make a durable, duplicate imprint.

Dentistry

Artistry

Ingenuity

To be continued...

Ruth attending ACBA

2010-06-11T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ruth Zuniga, the 2009 Abyssinian Development Corp (ADC) Masonry Preservation Student of the year, has been accepted at The American College of the Building Arts (ACBA)in Charleston, SC, for the freshman class of 2010 . She will be the first NYC student to attend the ACBA Masonry Preservation Program.

Ruth, front –center with award ribbons, at the ADC graduation ceremony July 1, 2009

The American College of the Building Arts (ACBA)
The American College of the Building Arts (ACBA) is dedicated to educating the next generation of building artisans and to preserving the building arts in a manner never before seen in America. Under the direction of our experienced faculty, students have the opportunity to learn the skills needed to excel in their chosen field, and receive a quality liberal arts education. This combination of education, training, and access to highly experienced faculty is available nowhere else in the United States.
http://www.buildingartscollege.us/

Frank Genello, Professor of Preservation Masonry at ACBA with students (and young guest), August 2007.

Curriculum
http://buildingartscollege.us/Academics/masonry.html

ACBA students combine book smarts with hand skills to become some of the country's best master craftsmen
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/the-american-college-of-the-building-arts-takes-the-next-step/Content?oid=1900814

Ruth received a $2,500 award from The Associated Brick Mason Contractors of Greater New York and the New York/New Jersey Council of the Brick Industry Association.

She also received a set of stone repair tools and a scholarship from Cathedral Stone products for specialized training to become certified for the use of “Jahn” repair mortars.

She will also receive a scholarship for tuition from an anonymous donor her freshman year.

Classes start in September. We wish Ruth good luck and Godspeed.

Historic Scotland Stone Mason's Workshop

2010-05-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

At The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine,
May 12th

On May 12-13, 2010 Kenny McCaffrey and Malcolm Hutcheon, two award winning Scottish Stone Mason's from Historic Scotland,* shared their stone carving skills with students of ADC’s Workforce Development Youth Build masonry preservation program.
Students watched, listened and participated throughout the hands-on workshop to learn about stone carving techniques and masonry construction.
The first day of the Workshop took place on the grounds of The Cathedral of Saint John The Divine and students toured the Cathedral to learn about its history and its unique construction.
They also toured the on-site workshop of the Cathedral’s stone carving artisan-in-residence, Chris Pellettieri.
From these activities, awareness grew as to how the skills of the Scottish masons related to masonry construction and building conservation in the United States.
All students participating developed a greater appreciation of the work of stone masons, and the grandeur of monumental buildings.
* Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government that safeguards the country’s historic environment (buildings, landmarks, castles, etc.) and promotes their understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

The stone carving handiwork of Chris Pelletierri, inside the Cathedral

Workshop Day 2 at ADC Park, West 127th Street, Harlem, May 13th

Historic Scotland Press Release

2010-05-01T02:44:00.000-07:00

Stirling Castle, Scotland
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news_search_results.htm/news_article.htm?articleid=27935

Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament.

Historic Scotland Stonemasons to train young people in Harlem
30 April 2010

Historic Scotland stonemasons are travelling to the United States this weekend to help train young people in Harlem, New York.

Kenny McCaffrey from Cupar and Malcolm Hutcheon from Inch will work with young people learning masonry and preservation skills through the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC). One of the key aims of ADC is to achieve revitalisation of the community through focussing on the physical infrastructure.

To help achieve this, ADC has implemented YOUTHBUILD, a nationally recognised workforce development initiative for ‘at risk’ youth.

As part of the trip, which is organized by Historic Scotland, a workshop will be held at the Cathedral of St John the Divine, where the Scottish team will be working with Chris Pellitteri the Cathedral’s stone carver in residence, to help share advice and expertise on stonemasonry with local young people.

Malcolm Hutcheon and Kenny McCaffrey stone mason's from "Historic Scotland"

With Chris Pelletierri, artisan/stone carver for the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs said;

“There are a number of similarities in the architectural style and building materials used through much of the fabric of the traditional buildings in New York and in the tenements and civic buildings that characterise much of the Scottish landscape.

“By visiting the project and helping to train young people we hope to provide them with skills which will help them to not only care for their historic fabric, but also equip them with knowledge to help build sustainable and long term careers.”

Malcolm Hutcheon said;

“I have worked on a number of fantastic buildings in my time, however to have the opportunity to visit and train young people in New York City is a huge honour.

“A lot of the stonework used in the New York area is of a similar consistency to Scottish sandstone and we have a wealth of expertise here, honed over many hundreds of years that can be used to help train others working with similar materials on the other side of the world.”

A key part of the visit will be focussing on skills that can be transferred into caring for other buildings within the area and visiting ongoing projects. A large part of housing stock in Harlem is of “brownstone”, much of which was in the hands of the city when the ADC was launched twenty years ago. Now less than 30% of the housing stock is owned by the City of New York, and the ADC has provided over 1,000 units of affordable housing.

Tom Russack, for the Abyssinian Development Corporation said;

“We are thrilled to welcome Malcolm and Kenny to New York to meet our young people and share their expertise and experience.

”It is my understanding that this is the first international hands-on workshop ever attempted in the United States to provide high school age students with training in masonry preservation.”

“We hope that this is the first of many initiatives, and we look forward to working with the Scottish team on their visit to Harlem.”

About the team:
• Malcolm Hutcheon - Malcolm works for Historic Scotland and is based at Kildrummie Castle. During his time with the organisation he has worked on a number of high profile buildings in the Aberdeen area including St. Machar’s Cathedral. Malcolm is 39 and lives in Insch.
• Kenny McCaffrey - Kenny is in the third year of his apprenticeship with Historic Scotland and is based at St. Andrews Cathedral. Kenny was previously employed as a labourer with Historic Scotland for six years, before applying for an adult apprenticeship. As part of his apprenticeship he has worked at sites across Scotland including Stirling Castle and Iona Abbey. Kenny is 39 and lives in Cupar.

You can find out more about Historic Scotland on the following sites:
www.twitter.com/welovehistory
www.facebook.com – search for Make Your Own History
www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv
www.flickr.com/groups/makeyourownhistory

And about Chris Chris Pelletierri at:
http://www.stonecarving.us/

Newspaper articles regarding this event:
Published by Historic Scotland
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news_article.htm?articleid=27935

Published by The Press and Journal
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1715963

Published by The Courier.co.uk
http://beta.thecourier.co.uk/Community/Heritage-and-History/article/1067/cupar-carpenter-working-with-underprivileged-new-york-youths.html

For further informationabout Historic Scotland contact:
Iona Matheson
Communications and Media Officer
Communications and Media
0131 668 8703 or 07827 956 858
iona.matheson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Williamson

2010-03-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, March 3, four ADC Youthbuild students were driven to Media, PA to take the entrance examination for possible acceptance into the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades.

Williamson is an independent, post-secondary, vocational-technical school that provides all students with full scholarships covering tuition, room, board, and textbooks. It is the only free school of its kind in the nation.

In exchange for their education students follow the School’s rules, help with the food service and maintenance of buildings/grounds.

Williamson's core values are: Faith, Integrity, Diligence, Excellence, and Service.

http://www.williamson.edu/about/approach.htm

Stained glass window of School founder, Isaiah V. Williamson.

ADC Construction staff toured the campus grounds, chapel, library, dorms and the masonry workshop.

Williamson students going to class wearing sports jackets and ties,

and building in the masonry workshop wearing uniform/work clothes.

Williamson takes a unique approach to occupational education. Over the course of three years, students receive a broad education that includes the study of technical theory in the classroom and hands-on trade work projects. Students also receive academic instruction designed to contribute to their career success. Courses of study offered are: Carpentry, Masonry, Horticulture, Machine Tool Technology, Paint/Coatings and Power Plant Technology.

http://www.williamson.edu/programs/index.htm

It was an inspirational day that will hopefully inaugurate an new era whereby ADC students, ready for the challenge, will accept an opportunity of a lifetime along with the responsibility that such an honor requires.

The four ADC students who took the exam will be notified of their results at the end of the month.

UPDATE 4-29-10: Two ADC students were accepted to Williamson. They first have to pass their GED exam, then attend the Williamson Summer pre-entrance program.

Patching up

2010-03-07T11:33:00.000-08:00

Masonry preservation sessions are already in progress for the new semester. Members of the 2010 class are taught history, masonry and integrity.

History: Of wars, allies, enemies, heroes and outcomes.

French and Indian War: With England against French & Indians; why we speak English
American Revolution: Against England; for freedom; George Washington
War of 1812: Against England again; Andrew Jackson, the battle of New Orleans
Mexican War: Against Mexico; and we went from “sea to shining sea
Civil War: Us against us; freedom and liberty for all
Spanish American War: Against Spain; NYC''s Teddy Roosevelt; we get Puerto Rico
WW I: With England and France against Germany; now we’re in world wide conflicts
WW II: With England,France, Russia against Germany, Japan; we're fighting 2 seperate wars across 2 oceans
Korean War: Fighting Russian/Chinese Communism in northern Asia
Vietnam: Fighting Communism in southern Asia
Iran/Afghanistan: Fighting terrorism overseas for the safety of our homeland

Notice: Countries we once fought against, we later fought with, and for. The practical application? Your worse enemy today could be your best friend tomorrow.

Integrity: Gung ho!
The word “gung-ho” does not mean bravery in battle or courage against all odds. Gung-ho is actually a Chinese phrase meaning “work together.”

Gung ho is a term used to mean "enthusiastic" or "dedicated."The term was picked up by United States Marine Corps Major Evans Carlson from his New Zealand friend, Rewi Alley, one of the founders of the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives. Carlson explained in a 1943 interview: "I was trying to build up the same sort of working spirit I had seen in China where all the soldiers dedicated themselves to one idea and worked together to put that idea over. I told the boys about it again and again. I told them of the motto of the Chinese Cooperatives, Gung Ho. It means Work Together-Work in Harmony...." [1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gung-ho

Masonry

· Stonework - Weather and humans deteriorate stone

· Identification of Sedimentary, Metamorphic and Igneous stone.

Masonry and Preservation

· Introduction to Cathedral Stone “Jahn” repair mortar

· Students were shown photographs of buildings in Harlem with close-up “before” and “after” shots of stonework badly damaged, then repaired.

· Explained the necessity of training to earn a Cathedral Stone certificate - and to use the material sparingly, without waste.

· Students were shown steps to prepare their damaged stones including the over-fill of the patch, then scraping down excess to the plane of the original stone.

Observations:

There were moments of silence where students were so focused on their work they didn’t make a sound amongst one another.

· Without enough stone patching tools, students used spoons hammered flat and plastering trowels instead of the metal shaping/scraping instruments.

At the end of class, I saw one student taking some patching material from the container and I had a discussion with her after class, away from other students in the presence of two administrators. Our meeting concluded with her understanding that she should have asked permission before taking the material… and my humble understanding that the worth of an anxious and interested student is far greater than that of some stone patching powder.

Being Tested

2010-02-14T12:24:00.000-08:00

Final Exam:
A written test with questions pertaining to masonry, history, and preservation taken from ten previous class sessions. After finishing, students reviewed their own tests and I explained all incorrect answers.

This was followed by a practical "hands-on" demonstration of one masonry skill such as laying out various brick bonds, re-pointing brick mortar joints, building and stocking scaffolding, stone patching, stucco work, etc.

After finishing their project I explained correct methods and less-than- stellar masonry procedures.

Of Masonry, History and Integrity:
· Although forewarned at the start of class, one student broke trust by talking during the written test. Asked to change seats to prevent getting an “F” he refused and escalated the situation into an argument that led to his dismissal.
· Although failing the test on merits of integrity, he was allowed to return and continue the written and practical portions of the Final Exam. During the practical part of the test he apologized for his behavior. But the "F" remains.

I concluded this, the last class of the semester, by telling students that my purpose throughout the masonry preservation program was actually not to teach masonry, or history, because those things can be learned on job sites or from books.

It was for them to understand “Integrity.”

· Integrity – To do the right thing. To show up on time and listen, to follow instructions, work as a team and work to the best of one's ability.

Masonry is a tough profession and a good way to learn hard lessons. Fast.

It was through the exploration of masonry and the stories of courageous people that I hoped to teach Integrity.
It was in every session along the way, from the Guilds and Butch O’Hare to cleaning up the work site and feeling the pride of accomplishment.

"And it's something inside yourself, that you have to find for yourself.

Perhaps you didn't realize until now, at the end of the last class, but as you look back you'll see… it was all about Integrity. "

Observations
In truth, one of the highlights of teaching this program was seeing as the end of this last class, a light of recognition on every student’s face, an understanding of Integrity.

Session #10 Stucco

2010-01-30T11:26:00.000-08:00

Curriculum and Activity:
* History, composition and uses of stucco
* Word origin:"stukki"- meaning crust or coat
* Traditional 3-coat system with underlying lath
* In order: scratch, brown and finish coats
* Exterior use with Portland cement composition
*Students practiced mixing and application procedures,
* Leveling and depth measurements and
* Explored various finishing treatments

Preparing mortar to proper consistency

Using a hawk and trowel
to apply stucco to the wall

Leveling and smoothing stucco

History and Integrity:
The 92nd Infantry and Red Ball Express -
African-American heroes during WWII.

Len Bias, Sam Cooke -Tragedies in sports and the arts.

Session #9 Power Washing

2010-01-30T10:52:00.000-08:00

Cleaning Masonry Without Chemicals
· Personal safety gear
· Learning to safely operate a power washing machine
· Spraying pressurized water to remove paint

Power washing with pressurized water and no chemicals

Safely removing paint from masonry

Finished results

History and Integrity

* Butch OHare WWII fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. How his story relates to "gansta-rap."

* Students took individual turns power washing/removing paint then taught one another to safely use the equipment.

Session #8 Terra Cotta

2010-01-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

Curriculum and Activities
· Architectural terra cotta - It's definition, history, use, ingredients, manufacturing, installation, deterioration, preservation and reproduction.
· The process of making terra cotta.

The materials

Cleaning terra cotta to be duplicated

Applying release agent

Form prepared for making plaster mold

Mixing plaster

Pouring plaster into form

Removing terra cotta and plaster mold

Releasing terra cotta from plaster mold

Terra cotta released from mold

Preparing terra cotta "clay" dough

Pressing "clay" dough into mold

Clay released from mold resembles...

Original terra cotta in form

History and Integrity:

Following the sinking of the U.S. battleship Maine (1898) at the onset of the Spanish American War, Lieutenant Andrew Summers Rowan was ordered to "Take a message to Garcia" to enlist General Garcia's support. He succeeded.
These are excerpts from Elbert Hubbard’s article, "Take a message to Garcia."

“Without asking where is he? What does he look like? Who are his contacts? How do I get there he (Rowan) simply took the orders and did what he was asked to do.”

“Civilization is one long anxious search for just such individuals. Anything such a man asks shall be granted. His kind is so rare that no employer can afford to let me go. He is wanted in every city, town, and village; in every office, shop store and factory. The world cries out for such. He is needed and needed badly, the man who can carry a message to Garcia.”

A class discussion followed on the characteristics of dependability, resourcefulness and ingenuity.

Session #7 Plaster

2010-01-17T13:21:00.000-08:00

http://www.evergreene.com/

Curriculum: Compostion of plaster and Gypsum

3 coat system: scratch, brown and finish

Safety precautions

Plasterer's Tools

Types of Lath

Expamples of decorative work-rosettes

Scagliola and other finishes

Masonry Preservation: Making/repairing rosettes

Students used plaster of Paris and plastic take-out food containers to make their own rosettes.

Some rosettes broke.

Students repaired...
and painted them.

History and Integrity:

Teaching a tradition is most directly personified by the life work of Earl A. Barthé, (1923-2010) a master craftsman in the plastering trade. Mr. Barthé was called “the Jelly Roll Morton of plaster.” His work was included in exhibitions at the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Smithsonian. He was recognized for a $20,000 National Heritage Fellowship award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2005. He was a living example of the timelessness of a multi-generational skill, over 150 years old. Mr. Barthé’s great-great-grandfather started the family plastering business in 1850, and his son and a daughter will continue it.

Session #6 Concrete & Cast Stone

2010-01-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

Masonry Preservation Training
· Concrete Ingredients - Cement, sand, gravel, water
· Tools - Trowels, edgers, floats (steel, sponge, rubber, bull)
· Procedures - Form, grade, mix, pour, tamp, screed, float, finish, edge

Students built a form, mixed, poured, floated and finished concrete.

History
Thomas Edison
· His life, inventions, work ethic and creativity
· Edison concrete was used to build the original Yankee Stadium.

Integrity
Edison, whose success is credited to hard work and determination, said:

"There is no substitute for hard work."

"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work."

"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

"Great ideas originate in the muscles."

Session #5 Stone Carving

2010-01-05T09:20:00.000-08:00

Curriculum and Activities

Demonstration from stone carving professional

Chris Pellittieri

Students were taught and practiced drilling, splitting and carving stones

Masonry Preservation
Vocabulary - "fracturing," "splitting," "shadow"

Stone working tools – pitch, punch, feather and wedge used safely to drill, split and carve stone

History: Chris spoke about his being from the neighborhood and his apprenticeship at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. It related to student's Guild studies.

Life Skills: Chris said: “Its not about money. It’s about loving your work.”

Observations:
At the start of class a few students were less than interested. But by the end of class they were actively participating and enjoying stone carving.

Session #4 Stone Repair

2009-11-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

Curriculum and Activities:
Identifying stone

Patching deteriorated stone

Masonry and Preservation:
How building stones deteriorate
Using Cathedral Stone "Jahn" mortar to

patch limestone, brownstone, terra cotta

History and Integrity:
Winston Churchill

Led his country with the motto: “Never give up.”

Though Hitler threatened to conquer England the determination of one man, Winston Churchill, stopped the conquest.

He would go through the streets of London during WWII bombings chewing a cigar and waving his hand with a “V” for victory sign.

To be a good leader, you have to be a good follower.

Churchill would find relaxation from stress by building brick walls throughout the grounds of his home, Chartwell.

Session #3: Measurments in History Masonry and Life

2009-11-10T03:10:00.000-08:00

Curriculum:
* Mixing M-S-N-O-K” mortars to measured quantities
*psi - pound per square inch measures pressure
* Moh’s Scale of minerals, measures a stone's strength
* A construction site is like a battlefield

* The U.S. at war - measuring time via historic events
* Differentiate brownstone and faux brownstone/stucco
* Russack System - Masonry hardness measurements
* Helping others measures personal integrity

* Repointing brick mortar joints

Masonry and Preservation:

* Walked around the neighborhood to identify building stonework, masonry deterioration and poor repairs.
* Identified brickwork configurations - headers, soldier courses, Flemish bond.

* Identified the results of improper cleaning - acid burnt brick and stone.
* Showed a building stone cracked from the embedded metal's rusting, expanding and the consequences of water penetration then consecutive freeze/thaw cycles.

* Demonstration and practice of brick mortar joint re-pointing

History:

* Outline of U.S. wars and their effect on us today.

* Using war as a measurement for time, world history, personal character and individual integrity.

Integrity:

* Safety/awareness on a construction site, for oneself and others.

* Providing a correlation between the countries that were once enemies in battle, but became allies in later conflicts.
*Recognition of Veterans Day.
*Knowing history means knowing how to remember.

Observations:
· Watching the least interested student uses masonry tools to find his ability and became attentive, obedient, and changed.
· Current events via NY Times - Scotland's historic preservation training program is using a laser to measure buildings. Like something out of Star Trek, caught the student’s imagination.

Session # 2: Bricks and Mortar

2009-10-26T18:25:00.000-07:00

Curriculum
Brick manufacturing, ingredients and colors
Identify stretcher, header, rollock, soldier sailor, shine
Mortars ingredients and working characteristics:
Lime mortar, Natural and Portland cements
Safely erecting pipe staging
Stocking staging for masonry work
Mix mortars and examine properties of the mixes

Trowel practice by mortoring brick end joints

Identification of good and poor workmanship

Masonry and Preservation:

* A brief history of U.S. of mortars, methods and ingredients

* Terms- slaked lime, lime putty, hydraulic mortar, kilns

* Mortar ingredients (sand, lime, cement) and safe storage
* Students built pipe scaffolding, and stocked it for mason’s work

* Safety in handling, moving and working on staging.

* Learning and practicing to butter brick end joints

History:

* 19th century transportation and canal building

* How lime mortars were made and used in the U.S.
* Natural cement mining in Rosendale New York.

* The invention and naming of Portland cement by Joseph Aspdin, in England.

Integrity:

*A discussion of poor construction practices and reviewing a building under construction near the Workshop/class room.

*The building Superintendent explained working safe, working clean and the rewards of better pay come from a good reputation, working hard, working smart and working clean.

Observations:
· Telling students of a recent scaffolding accident/death focused their attention while they built and stocked the pipe staging.
· Having the students spend a moment at the end of a task to pause and observe their finished work to let them notice the change and appreciate what they accomplished.
· Think how one can improve not just buildings but the world by leaving it better than when you first arrived.

Session #1: Introduction

2009-10-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

Curriculum:
· Outline semester's 10 training lessons
· Mr. Russack's Rules
· Expectations for hard work, knowledge, attitude
· What is masonry? Masonry preservation?
· Description and use of a mason's tools
· Work site safety
· Guild history
· Making a personal Guild crest

Masonry: Explained the parts and use of a trowel and hammer
Described and practiced use of a spirit level
Defined the word “plumb” to determine vertical straightness
Defined masonry work as: “hard, dangerous, dirty and fun”
Discussed proper work attire, and its necessity for safety
Exhibited and demonstrated a scaffolding safety harness

Masonry and Preservation: Explained with illustrations, the restoration of "The Speakers House Historic Site” in Trappe, PA done by restoration mason Andrew deGruchy, and the stone work/artistry of Mr. deGruchy’s home.

History: Discussed European Guilds emphasizing teamwork, unity, high standards of craftsmanship, personal integrity and the symbolism of Guild crests.

Integrity: Students were given time to think about their expectations for the upcoming semester. They then wrote a paragraph about their expectations and designed or drew their own personal Guild Crest illustrating those goals.

Guildcrest of The Worshipful Masons of The City of London

Life Skills: Students practiced writing and public speaking skills by sharing their goals and expectations for the year and by explaining the art work and meaning of their Guild crests.

Observations:
• Students worked together exhibiting cooperation, initiative and determination.
• The Guild crest activity brought out unseen talent of individuals via drawing and writing.
• Explaining how the Latin word for lead (plumbum) is used to define a “plumb bob,” for vertical straightness. “Plumb meaning lead. The Romans used lead pipes. What’s a plumber do?... Pick plumbs?"

The Only Program

2009-09-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

From: Andrew Ferrell
Sent: September 09, 2009
To: Russack, Thomas
Re: ADC masonry preservation program

Tom,
... It was a pleasure to meet you at the International Trades Education Symposium (ITES)* in Leadville, CO. I was particularly interested to learn about your work with the Abyssinian Development Corporation's masonry preservation program. To my knowledge,this is the only hands-on preservation training program for high school age students in the country. Keep up the great work.
Best Regards,

Andy Ferrell, LEED AP

Chief, Architecture and Engineering
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
645 University Parkway, Natchitoches LA 71457
NCPTT: Technology serving the future of America's heritage
*TR note: See ITES- http://www.iptw.org/ites09-schedule.htm

The Masonry Preservation Program

2009-09-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Tom Russack designed the curriculum from his Master's Thesis, "The Development of a Preliminary Masonry Preservation Training Program” and became the Program Instructor. Classes began in September, 2007 and were held in a Workshop/Classroom built in the basement of a housing project on West 123rd Street, Harlem. Twelve trainees were selected from twenty five attending the first class.

After nine months of training, in June, 2008 seven students receive their GED diplomas. One student secured full-time employment with a New York City masonry preservation company and earned the title of "Outstanding Masonry Preservation Student of 2008." He was also awarded a full set of new mason’s tools as the graduation ceremony.

In September 2008, at the onset of the masonry preservation program’s second year, the Workshop/classroom was transferred to a new location in the basement of a West 129th Street building incorporating better security, lighting, storage space and ventilation.
Approximately 40 students began the program in October, 2008 and 26 graduated in July, 2009. The most outstanding student was awarded masons's tools and a Cathedral Stone scholarship for stone repair training, worth of over $1,000.

The Program’s third year is to commence in early October, 2009 with the addition of a masonry instructor teaching basic masonry fundamentals, two days a week.

The Masonry Preservation Workshop and classroom activities undertaken throughout the 2009-2010 semester are the basis of this blog.

YouthBuild Workforce Development

2009-09-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

The Masonry Preservation program is part of the network of services provided by Abyssinian Development Corp. (ADC) through their “YouthBuild Workforce Development” division.
Through YouthBuild, Harlem youth, ages 17-24, work toward their high school equivalency diploma (GED) learn job skills and repair existing building stock to provide affordable housing for the community. YouthBuild integrates educational intruction, counseling and construction training,including green technology and masonry preservation.

Participants must be one or more of the following:
• A member of a low-income family OR
• A youth in foster care OR
• A youth offender OR
• The child of an incarcerated parent OR
• A migrant youth
• AND a high school drop out

Funding is provided by the Department of Labor with additional support from foundations, donors and volunteers assistance.

Masonry, History, Integrity

2009-09-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

At risk youth receive basic training in masonry construction, preservation practices and green technology, along with life skill and U.S. History lessons, to build self confidence, integrity and an appreciation of craftsmanship.