This training program is for tradespeople actively working in the greater Portland, Maine area. The objective of the training is to boost their basic carpentry knowledge and skills into the field of work on older and historic buildings. The training will focus on exterior woodwork details and takes place onsite at Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth Street, Portland. Download the overview flyer here.

Preservation carpenters are knowledgeable tradespeople. Essentially, they combine traditional woodworking knowledge and skills with modern carpentry practice. They do this with thoughtful study and creative work. Traditional trades manuals document specific methods and materials to construct these older and historic buildings. The modern practice of carpentry is largely one of installing pre-designed and pre-manufactured parts. Preservation woodworking is a creative process that begins with determining what needs to be done. For example, a moulding is missing and must be made to match an original so its profile is documented with a drawing and measurements. Then, the moulding is made out of basic materials, like a board of rough-cut wood; the process then involves shaping it, creating a finished moulding, then installing the moulding to re-establish the weather envelope of the building. According to instructor John Leeke, “The enlightened preservation carpenter brings both traditional knowledge and modern practice to bear on these fine old structures to preserve their historic significance.”

This project is being supported in part by the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior and Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

Schedule

Two weeks of ten full-time days, 9:00am-4:00pm, April 21 – May 2, 2025. This includes hands-on work at Victoria Mansion, with evening reading assignments and study.

Application & Selection

Tradespeople can apply for the training by responding to this questionnaire.

Applications are being accepted through March 25, 2025. Applicants will be informed of their status by April 1.

Five trainees will be selected by an objective procedure administered by Victoria Mansion Executive Director Tim Brosnihan, and workshop instructor John Leeke.

Trainees will receive $1,000 at the end of each week ($2,000 total) for full-time attendance of all days and conscientious application of mind and hand.

Topics of Study

• Historic preservation of buildings
• Wood science, demonstration of a few topics from Bruce Hoadley’s Understanding Wood
• Wood deterioration
• Weather envelope of a wood building

Hands-On Exercises

• Sizing wood to match existing
• Tool sharpening
• Making mouldings to match with simple shop machinery and hand methods
• Wood Dutchmen and part-by-part replacement
• Wood-Epoxy repairs
• Sourcing wood
• Preservative treatments

Training Manuals

Given to participants as part of workshop:

• Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley
• Practical Restoration Compendium by John Leeke

Outcomes

Each trainee will:

• Make and complete a significant woodwork detail, to have as a sample of their work;
• Acquire a basic knowledge of the field of historic preservation, and the preservation trades specifically;
• Set up and follow an ongoing self-directed training program;
• Receive $1,000 at the end of each week ($2,000 total) for full-time attendance of all days and conscientious application of mind and hand.

Download an informational flyer about the workshop here.

Access the application here.

Questions about this workshop? Please contact Executive Director Tim Brosnihan at tbrosnihan@victoriamansion.org or (207) 772-4841 ext.100.