The American Historic Cement Conference
March 31 – April 2, 2011
New York City
The American Historic Cement Conference is the fourth in a series of symposia that has focused on the history and technology of historic cements, and builds upon the foundations of previous three. The first conference, held in Rosendale, New York in 2005, focused on the key contributions of natural cement from Rosendale in the 19th Century. The second, held in Washington, DC in 2006, explored the use of traditional cements in building canals, military fortifications and major public buildings in and around the Nation’s Capitol and in Harpers Ferry, WV. The third was held in Syracuse, New York in 2007, and centered on the first discovery and production of hydraulic cements in the United States in 1818, in conjunction with construction of the Erie Canal. The current conference broadens its focus to the range of technologies employed during the key transition period to modern cements.
As historic cement buildings and structures continue to age, the unique challenges related to historic cement identification, preservation and sympathetic restoration have often been overlooked. The purpose of this conference is to enlarge our knowledge of the various cements used in the period from 1870-1920. During this period of time, usage moved from the use of natural cements to Portland cements through a dynamic period of innovation. There was both experimentation and discussion of cement materials and their uses. The American Historic Cement Conference is designed to address aspects of this transitional period. Presentations will focus on the following key themes:
Cement History: A number of cement materials were developed and used over the course of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Presentations will provide insights into use of cements during this early phase of technological modernism.
Cement Analysis: Methods of analysis, field evaluations or case studies involving complex challenges in identifying and/or replicating original materials.
Preservation & Restoration: Issues relating to preservation of historic cements, best restoration practices or case studies in historic cement preservation and restoration. Of particular interest are presentations focusing on historic infrastructure and authenticity.
The Society for the Preservation of Historic Cements, Inc. is the primary organizer of the American Historic Cements Conference. SPHC is a 501C3 non-profit organization dedicated to historic cement education and preservation. SPHC organized the Third American Natural Cement Conference, and chaired a session on historic cements at the Association for Preservation Technology International Conference in Montreal in 2008.
The National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center is dedicated to the safe preservation and maintenance of national parks or partner facilities by delivering quality preservation services, and developing educational courses that fulfill the competency requirements of Service employees in the career fields of Historic Preservation Skills, Risk Management, Maintenance, Planning, Design, and Construction.
The Northeast Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology International encompasses New England, New York State, and northern New Jersey. The chapter is committed to serving this large geographic community with regional and local preservation events.