FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Judith Oppenheimer
740-681-1423; 650-207-0628
oppenheimer@decartsohio.org
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio presents a Historic Masonry Workshop with brick restoration expert Larry Vance on Saturday, May 20. Tickets are available.
LANCASTER, OH—April 14, 2017—In honor of National Historic Preservation Month in May, the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio will feature “Tuckpointing in Historic Homes: Mortar and Materials” on Saturday, May 20 at 10 a.m. Larry Vance, owner of Historic Masonry Restoration, will lead a workshop that gives participants an education in pre-1930s masonry while offering an up-close view of the restoration currently underway at the Reese-Peters House, home to the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio.
Vance will share his insights on the difference between bricks and mortar used in the late 19th and early 20th century—handmade and baked in a coal-fired kiln near the construction site—versus the manufactured bricks and stronger mortar used in the 1930s and later. “Soft mortar is a world away from hard,” says Vance. “There are few of us left who can repair it properly.”
He hopes the workshop will raise awareness of the issues that can arise with older masonry and empower homeowners to seek contractors with experience. “There are a lot of things a homeowner can do to prevent the kinds of problems I see,” says Vance, noting issues like leaking gutters and downspouts that dissolve mortar and lead to water damage.
As a part of the workshop, participants will venture outside to view the work Vance has completed on the Reese-Peters House, a Federal/Greek Revival home on the National Register of Historic Places. His work includes removing hard mortar added during a previous renovation and replacing it with a compatible soft mortar that matches the color, bearing strength and texture of the original bricks. “If I’m good at my job you won’t even know I was there when I’m done,” notes Vance, who will also bring a variety of cooked soft bricks for participants to experience—including a handmade brick imprinted with a cat’s paw.
“This special workshop is a great opportunity to learn about historic masonry preservation. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of the important techniques needed to prevent long-term moisture issues and damage to historic masonry,” says Nate Stitzlein of Crow Home Inspection and board member of the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio. "I highly recommend any homeowner or person interested in historic architecture to attend. You will never look at masonry the same way again."
Tickets are $25 for members, $28 for non-members. For information about the workshop or to inquire about tickets, visit www.decartsohio.org or call 740-681-1423.
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio is housed in the Reese-Peters House, a Federal/Greek Revival masterpiece at 145 E. Main Street in Lancaster’s Historic District. Admission is free Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
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CONTACT:
Judith Oppenheimer
740-681-1423; 650-207-0628
oppenheimer@decartsohio.org
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio presents a Historic Masonry Workshop with brick restoration expert Larry Vance on Saturday, May 20. Tickets are available.
LANCASTER, OH—April 14, 2017—In honor of National Historic Preservation Month in May, the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio will feature “Tuckpointing in Historic Homes: Mortar and Materials” on Saturday, May 20 at 10 a.m. Larry Vance, owner of Historic Masonry Restoration, will lead a workshop that gives participants an education in pre-1930s masonry while offering an up-close view of the restoration currently underway at the Reese-Peters House, home to the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio.
Vance will share his insights on the difference between bricks and mortar used in the late 19th and early 20th century—handmade and baked in a coal-fired kiln near the construction site—versus the manufactured bricks and stronger mortar used in the 1930s and later. “Soft mortar is a world away from hard,” says Vance. “There are few of us left who can repair it properly.”
He hopes the workshop will raise awareness of the issues that can arise with older masonry and empower homeowners to seek contractors with experience. “There are a lot of things a homeowner can do to prevent the kinds of problems I see,” says Vance, noting issues like leaking gutters and downspouts that dissolve mortar and lead to water damage.
As a part of the workshop, participants will venture outside to view the work Vance has completed on the Reese-Peters House, a Federal/Greek Revival home on the National Register of Historic Places. His work includes removing hard mortar added during a previous renovation and replacing it with a compatible soft mortar that matches the color, bearing strength and texture of the original bricks. “If I’m good at my job you won’t even know I was there when I’m done,” notes Vance, who will also bring a variety of cooked soft bricks for participants to experience—including a handmade brick imprinted with a cat’s paw.
“This special workshop is a great opportunity to learn about historic masonry preservation. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of the important techniques needed to prevent long-term moisture issues and damage to historic masonry,” says Nate Stitzlein of Crow Home Inspection and board member of the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio. "I highly recommend any homeowner or person interested in historic architecture to attend. You will never look at masonry the same way again."
Tickets are $25 for members, $28 for non-members. For information about the workshop or to inquire about tickets, visit www.decartsohio.org or call 740-681-1423.
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio is housed in the Reese-Peters House, a Federal/Greek Revival masterpiece at 145 E. Main Street in Lancaster’s Historic District. Admission is free Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
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