Decorative Arts Center of Ohio -- Reese-Peters House
  • Home
  • Membership and Giving
  • Donations
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Exhibitions
  • Programs, Classes, and Events
    • Events >
      • DACO Gala
    • Summer Camps
    • Youth Classes
    • High School & Adult Classes
    • Lectures
    • Scholarship Program
    • The Wendel Center and our Teaching Artists
  • Sensory Friendly Tours
  • Reese-Peters House History
    • Collection of the Double Parlors and Hall
    • Photo Gallery of the Rising Room
  • Museum Shop
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Portal
  • Feedback
  • About
    • Board Members
    • Vision, Mission, Values
    • Employment
    • Internships
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Historic Masonry Workshop

4/14/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Judith Oppenheimer
740-681-1423; 650-207-0628
[email protected]

 
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.
 
###
​

2 Comments
Chimney Service Sanford, ME link
1/19/2026 04:48:56 am

This workshop sounds like an incredible opportunity for anyone interested in historic masonry and preservation. At Frechette Chimney Sweeping in Sanford, ME, we understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of older homes, especially when it comes to chimneys and fireplaces. Just as proper mortar selection is crucial for masonry longevity, ensuring a safe and efficient wood-burning stove installation requires expertise and attention to detail to protect both the structure and your home. Our team specializes in comprehensive chimney inspections, cleaning, and installations, bringing the same dedication to quality and preservation highlighted in this workshop to every project we handle.

Reply
Flue Pros Chimney link
4/1/2026 06:17:10 am

This is a fantastic initiative, and it really highlights how important proper masonry techniques are for preserving the integrity of historic homes. The distinction between soft and hard mortar is something we often see overlooked, yet it plays a critical role in preventing long-term structural and moisture issues. At Flue Pros Chimney, we encounter similar challenges when working on older chimneys throughout the Shenandoah Valley, and as a trusted Waynesboro, VA Chimney Services Company, we understand how essential it is to use historically appropriate materials and methods. Education like this workshop is invaluable because it helps homeowners recognize the importance of hiring experienced professionals who can protect and extend the life of their masonry and chimney systems.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    The Staff of the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio contribute to this blog.

    Archives

    November 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016

    Categories

    All
    DACOatHome Activities
    Exhibition Insights
    Virtual Tours

    RSS Feed

Decorative Arts Center of Ohio
145 E. Main St.
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Phone: 740-681-1423