Pine Mountain School for Practical Historic Preservation

The Rehabilitation and Repair of Round Log Structures is one of three hands-on historic preservation workshops to be offered in 2011 by Pine Mountain Settlement School. Since 2002, the Pine Mountain School for Practical Historic Preservation has sponsored at least two historic preservation workshops annually. The workshops bring together historic preservation specialists, managers and maintenance staff of historic properties, private owners of historic structures, and contractors to learn particular preservation skills. Typically, workshops include visual presentations about the subjects and a hands-on project. 

Instructors:  Brown Truslow, exhibits specialist with the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center, will lead the workshop. Paul Jensen, preservation carpentry trainer, will assist him. They are part of the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center staff, based in Frederick, MD. This workshop marks the fifth time that HPTC has taught at Pine Mountain. In 2004, HPTC conducted the chinking and daubing workshop on the historic Creech Cabin at Pine Mountain; in 2007 HPTC led the round log replacement/repair workshop on the Putney Ranger Station, and in 2009 and 20101 led log replacement work-shops using Big Log, the school’s oldest original building. Brown has over 20 years of carpentry experience and began his work on log structures in 1997. Paul has specialized experience in log structures and has repaired numerous log buildings during his twenty year career with the National Park Service. Both have worked on many historic log structures throughout the nation's park system.

The Workshop: 

The workshop will include instruction in preservation techniques, the philosophy behind the selection of particular techniques, and a hands-on experience on a 1930s era Civilian Conservation Corps round log structure in Harlan County. Students will learn:

• how to examine a log structure for common preservation issues 
• how to approach preservation work from a safety viewpoint 
• what skills are needed for preservation work
• The hands-on application of preservation techniques will include 
• demonstrations in log crown or end replacement 
• full and partial log replacement 
• repair for a skyward facing check crack
• chinking and daubing

The re-establishment of log features will focus on proper handling techniques, reinstallation of materials, and identifying and recovering/replicating character defining features.

Other topics will include proper documentation methods, recording of activities, material identification and selection, and proper tool selection and usage. Participants will receive a notebook with reference materials on logs and log-related subjects.

All hands-on activities will be conducted using OSHA safety guidelines. Safety instruction will take place before any project work is undertaken.

Hands-on Project: The hands-on project will take place in Putney, on the north side of Pine Mountain, about seven miles from the Settlement School campus. The building was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a federal works project. The building was used as housing for state forest rangers. It has most recently been used as the Harlan County office for the Kentucky Division of Forestry. 

The building has typical preservation issues. Water and insect damage is apparent on several logs, particularly on the ends. The daubing is failing in some areas. Checking and cracking is also occurring in some logs.

The Harlan County Judge Executive’s office has been active in finding funds to restore the log structure. Future use of the structure is under discussion. A possible use for the restored structure could be as a meeting place and visitors center with exhibits on the county’s history and information about the special natural areas in the county.

Participants: The workshop is suitable for those with little or no construction experience as well as those with more advanced construction skills. The presentations and hands-on project are designed to accommodate all levels of interest.

Participants should bring work clothes, ANSI certified safety shoes/steel-toed boots and work gloves. Safety equipment, such as hard hats, ear protection, chaps and impact resistant glasses will be provided. First Aid kits will be on site.

Rates: Cost of the workshop is $600.00, which includes tuition, printed materials, meals, lodging, transportation to the hands-on project site, and safety equipment. The non-refundable deposit of $100 will be applied to the cost of the workshop.

Lodging Visitors to Pine Mountain stay in either dormitory or cottage-style housing. Linens are furnished. All buildings are smoke free. No pets, firearms, drugs or alcohol allowed.

Meals: Meals are served in the Laurel House dining hall. Vegetarian meals are available upon request. Box lunches will be provided at the hands-on project site. Snacks will be provided throughout the day.

Registration: Register on-line at www.pinemountainsettlementschool.com or mail the registration form along with your deposit to: Pine Mountain Settlement School, 36 Highway 510, Pine Mountain, KY 40810.