Help Build a Future for the Past: Restore a Stone Bridge in Bucks County

Volunteer preservationists will be restoring a masonry bridge in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in September; anyone interested in helping build a future for the past is invited to join HCN and the hard working crew.

Quakertown, PA (PRWEB) June 27, 2006 -- Heritage Conservation Network and the Weisel Hostel invite history enthusiasts and historic preservation aficionados to join their efforts to repair and restore the Wiesel Bridge in Quakertown, Pennsylvania this September. The effort takes the form of a hands-on building conservation workshop, which will be held at the site September 10-23, 2006. The bridge spans one of the many defunct but charming mill races that pepper the area which is well known for its bridges, both covered wooden bridges and stone bridges.

The Weisel Bridge, part of the old Clymer Road, was built to carry 19th century mill traffic. The bridge has suffered in the past from repairs made with incompatible materials. Those repairs will be reversed as the volunteer preservationists learn about the use of hydraulic lime and other historically appropriate materials for the repair of historic masonry. The restoration work will be led by Andrew deGruchy of deGruchy Historic Masonry, Inc. Tasks include diverting the creek below the bridge to allow work to proceed, testing historic materials and repointing with like mortar. No experience with or knowledge of historic masonry is necessary, just an appreciation for historic structures and the "old-fashioned" way of doing things.

The workshop consists of two one-week sessions; participants may attend one or two sessions. The workshop fee of $285 per person per week covers the cost of lodging, instruction and materials. Lodging will be at the hostel itself, a 100-year-old country estate that is now part of Nockamixon State Park. The cost for people not requiring lodging is $85 per person per week.

For planning purposes, volunteers must pre-register with Heritage Conservation Network. Complete workshops details and registration information are available from www.heritageconservation.net or Heritage Conservation Network, 1557 North Street, Boulder, CO 80304; 303 444 0128.

Heritage Conservation Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of architectural heritage around the world. HCN produces an annual series of hands-on building conservation workshops in association with local preservation partners in order to further the sites' preservation and provide an educational experience for participants.

Contact:    
Judith Broeker
Heritage Conservation Network
1557 North Street, Boulder, CO 80304 USA
Tel: +1 303 444 0128; Fax: +1 775 320 6837
www.heritageconservation.net

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