Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons^™

What Were School Officials Thinking: The Abandonment Of Historic Schools In Rhode Island, Carolyn Jane Reid

Historic Preservation Theses

This thesis, What were School Officials Thinking: The Abandonment of Historic Schools in Rhode Island, addresses the problem that historic schools are being abandoned in favor of new construction because based on the literature there is the perceived relationship between school facilities design and pedagogical outcomes, there are state and local policies that discourage the use of older or historic schools, and there is uninformed decision making. The purpose of this research was to determine the issues and policies that are most given as to why historic schools are abandoned in Rhode Island through a survey research methodology. This was …

A Return To Manning The Post: The Adaptive Reuse Of Publically Owned Fire Control Stations From The Second World War, Donald J. Sevigny

Historic Preservation Theses

This project examines the adaptive reuse potential of World War II-era fire control stations situated on public lands. The goal was to show the economic feasibility of reusing these derelict structures while simultaneously raising awareness of the scarce resources from our nation’s recent past. This has been done by conducting existing conditions assessments, forming scopes of work, attaining cost estimates, and creating cost analyses on three individual stations within two case studies in the northeastern United States. The cost analyses were based on Donovan Rypkema’s pro forma spreadsheet templates from the Feasibility Assessment Manual for Reusing Historic Buildings. Through this …

Interpreting The Standards: Design Professionals & Historicized Design, Alexandra D. Skerry

Historic Preservation Theses

Research Question: This thesis intends to discover how and why architects make design decisions for projects in historic districts. Subquestions are based on the methods of architects; differing opinions between preservation and architectural professionals; and the inconsistent interpretation of standards and guidelines.

Results: The researcher was able to analyze each informant and position them on a self-defined design spectrum. A visual representation of this spectrum can be found in Appendix D.

Practical Implications: The results of this study show a conflict that prevents Standard 9 from both allowing the progression of contemporary architectural theory in historic areas, and requiring a …

Museum Studies: Exhibit Designs, Nicole Duperre, Brendan Quirk, Margaret Zecher, Traci Costa, Cindy Nanton, Kathleen Wilson, Loren White, Derek Dandurand, Zachary Tatti, Christopher Usler, Arnold Robinson

American Studies

To remain functional museum professionals must remember that museums are businesses like every other enterprise, striving to exchange a good or a service on terms previously bargained for. As such, museums too must understand that branding is the golden rule for success in business. In order to brand itself the museum must echo one unified vision and voice, and that message ought to be made tangible. Museum labels are the heart of each item on display, and must resonate all that the museum hopes to convey about its enterprise.

Pomham Rocks Lighthouse: Reuse And Rehabilitation Feasibility Report, Arnold Robinson, Caitlin Merritt, Nina Caruso, Derek Danderand

Historic Preservation

The lighthouse has withstood the passing of time, including the harsh coastal weather elements. Pomham Rocks’ significance was obtained through its historic function, architectural style and keeper history. Pomham Rocks Lighthouse was listed in 1976 on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pomham Rocks Light Station consists of nearly half an acre situated atop of a promontory, approximately 800 feet off the mainland of East Providence at the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay in what is called the Providence River.

Matthewson St. United Methodist Church: Rehabilitation Feasiblity Report, Catherine Varnas, Jonathan Hopkins, Dylan Peacock, Joshua Lentz, Arnold Robinson

Historic Preservation

The first-story floor plan was altered significantly during the 1951 renovations, and the entry vestibule is adorned with Neo-Gothic panelling. The chapel on the first floor is handsomely finished. The two-story sanctuary space has a semi-circular configuration with pews radiating from the altar, a balcony and substantial crown moulding.

Longley Building: Reuse And Rehabilitation Feasibility Report, Elizabeth Deblock, Alexander Leblanc, Carolyn Reid, Kathleen Wilson, Arnold Robinson, Philip Marshal, Robert Dermody

Historic Preservation

The southern, eastern, and northern façades (the principal façades) have a great amount of decorative masonry including granite, slate coursing, brownstone coursing, and brick veneer (Photo 2). All of these materials are in good condition, except for the brownstone, which is deteriorating in areas that are connected to a wrought iron balustrade. The surface of the brownstone is face-beded, and the corrosion of the iron in contact with the stone has caused oxide jacking. All of the masonry has environmental staining.

Washington Park Main Street Plan, Benjamin Bergenholtz, Derek Dandurand, Valerie Fram, Tracy Jonsson, Kimberly Lindner, Carolyn Reid, D.J. Sevigny, Alexandra Skerry, Timothy Guimond, Brooke Kourafas, Elise Murphy, Matt Berry, Erik Butler, Kayla Nerone, Arnold Robinson, Jeremy Wells, Julie Coon, Joel Cooper

Historic Preservation

There is an immense variety of privately owned businesses. They will be stakeholders because their businesses are located there, but they will also be assets in themselves in drawing people to the area. There is basically everything anyone could possible want or need in this area. There are two gas stations, a Family Dollar, a liquor store, a few sit down restaurants, numerous places where one can get a quick bite to eat, a frame shop, a clothing store, a pawn shop, a store with fresh produce (which is hard to find in urban areas), a store that sells sports …

Liberty Street School: Reuse And Rehabilitation Feasibility Report, Eric Deitz, Matt Spears, Nedith Wikina, Arnold Robinson

Historic Preservation

It is recommended that the iron fire escapes on the east and west elevations be removed because they do not meet current fire codes as a proper means of egress from the building. The metal railings should also be removed and replaced with railings that meet current building code with a proper height.

Preservation Without Restoration: The Case For Ruins, Sydney Schoof

Historic Preservation Theses

The ruins are often an overlooked topic in historic preservation. The typical method of treatment is either full restoration or demolition. However, some ruins have gained significance in their own right and this thesis explores appropriate treatment and recognition for these structures. Ruins typically represent a historical trend toward downsizing that would not be otherwise visible and are therefore eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under criterion A, though criterion C may also be applicable as the aesthetics of ruins are often much admired and become the primary reason for local and even national interest in …

The Passion For The Goddess; A Comparative Study On The Reverence Of The Goddess In Contemporary America And Ancient Mesopotamia, Sierra Helm

Honors Senior Capstones and Theses

Through a comparative study of contemporary America and ancient Mesopotamia, the devotional practices directed towards the goddess Inanna in ancient Mesopotamia and towards celebrities in present-day America are analyzed. Celebrities have replaced Inanna in terms of representing exceptional figures exemplifying certain qualities--qualities of motherhood, fertility, sexual appeal, wisdom, intelligence, and even that of the warrior--once associated with the ancient goddess. The position of women within these cultures is an important aspect of the research. In ancient Mesopotamia, the position of women decreased over the millennia, from 4000 BCE to 1000 BCE, in which the people of Sumer, Akkadia, Assyria, and …

Project Summary: Preservation Plan For Warren, Ri, Community Partnerships Center, Roger Williams University

Preservation Project for Warren, Rhode Island

This document summarizes the project that created a historical preservation plan for the Town of Warren, RI by the students in Professor Arnold Robinson’s graduate-level course: Historical Preservation Planning.

Historic Preservation Plan For The Town Of Warren, Rhode Island, Community Partnerships Center, Roger Williams University

Preservation Project for Warren, Rhode Island

During the graduate-level course of the 2011 Spring Semester, the RWU Historic Preservation Planning class worked to create a Historical and Cultural Resources Plan for the Town of Warren, RI. The town is in the midst of updating its Comprehensive Community Plan and had looked to the RWU Preservation Planning Workshop course for leadership and innovation in the area of historic preservation planning. At the end of the fifteen week program, the students formulated an integrated preservation plan for the community by working together with the Project Advisory Committee composed of town leaders. The plan will provide the Town of …

Charles G. Calder House Rehabilitation Plan, Benjamin Bergenholtz, Valerie Farm, Dustin Powell, Matine Rousseau, Jonathan Shea, Alison Talbot, Arnold Robinson

Historic Preservation

Upon completion and proper drying time of new plaster, sand all walls to an even smooth surface and apply base coat followed by Linen White paint by Benjamin Moore (flat) on all wall surfaces. Ceilings are all to be painted a flat Ceiling White by Benjamin Moore. Woodwork that has been painted in the past (not stained) is all to receive semi-gloss Bright White paint by Benjamin Moore. No less than two coats throughout on all painted surfaces.

Minnesota Modern: Era Of Innovation, Christine Madrid French, Elaine B. Stiles

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), with the cooperation and support of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, Preserve Minneapolis, DOCOMOMO MN, and the Minnesota Historical Society, hosted a two-day Modern Module in Minneapolis and St. Paul on October 27 and October 28, 2009. This booklet is a companion publication to the The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), with the cooperation and support of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, Preserve Minneapolis, DOCOMOMO MN, and the Minnesota Historical Society, hosted a two-day Modern Module in Minneapolis and St. Paul on October 27 and October 28, 2009.

Using Sequential Mixed Social Science Methods To Define And Measure Heritage Conservation Performance, Jeremy C. Wells

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

There is no agreed-upon definition for heritage conservation performance, but it is possible to borrow ideas from the natural resource conservation field to inform this concept. Dimensions of performance can include economic, technical, and sociocultural and experiential indices. Because heritage conservation ostensibly benefits people as its primary goal, however, the values of most stakeholders ought to play a role in defining performance. Most of these values are subjective and represent sociocultural and personal meanings and tend to differ dramatically from the positivistic, fabric-centered value system of conservation experts. Measurement implies quantification, yet many sociocultural values are based on qualitative meanings …

Aspen Modern: America’S International Resort, Christine Madrid French, Elaine B. Stiles

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

The Aspen Modern event held on July 28, 2010 was presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in partnership with the City of Aspen Community Development Department, the Aspen Art Museum, the Aspen Historical Society, the Aspen Institute, and Spring Board Aspen, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Henry Luce Foundation. This full-color booklet highlights the modern architecture of Aspen, Colorado.

Valuing Historic Places: Traditional And Contemporary Approaches, Jeremy C. Wells

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

Decisions about which older buildings, structures, and places should be conserved are fundamental to the practice of architectural conservation. Conservation professionals use the interrelated concepts of integrity, authenticity, and historical value to determine which historic places are worthy of importance. Traditionally, these concepts are predicated on preserving the object rather than conserving the meaning and values associated with the object. In other works, the goal is to benefit the object and not the people who value the object. This method, which has roots in antiquated nineteenth-century Western scientific traditions, deprecates the importance of people, processes, and meanings in how places …

Boston Modern: Spirit Of Reinvention, Christine Madrid French, Elaine B. Stiles

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, with the Boston Preservation Alliance, Boston Landmarks Commission, Boston Society of Architects, Common Boston, DOCOMOMO US/New England, Historic New England, and Preservation Massachusetts hosted the 2-day Boston Modern Module on June 29 and June 30, 2010. The Module included production of a full-color booklet highlighting significant modern and recent past resources in and around the city of Boston.

50 Years Reconsidered, Elaine B. Stiles

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Los Angeles Modern: City Of Tomorrow, Christine Madrid French, Elaine B. Stiles

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) and the Los Angeles Conservancy (LAC) hosted the two-day inaugural Modern Module in Los Angeles on September 30 and October 1, 2009. This full-color booklet highlights Modern and recent past resources in greater Los Angeles Area.

Waite Potter House: Artifacts From Archaeological Dig

Documentation

Artifacts found during the 2009 archaeological dig at the Waite Kirby Potter Site in Westport, Massachusetts. Dig was completed by Katharine M. Johnson and Christa M. Beranek from the Fiske Memorial Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

For the full report, please see Documentary Research and Archaeological Investigations at the Waite-Kirby-Potter Site, Westport, Massachusetts. Prepared for Community Preservation Committee, Town of Westport, MA by Katharine M. Johnson and Christa M. Beranek, May 2010. https://scholarworks.umb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=fiskecenter_pubs

Waite Potter House: Community Preservation Committee (Cpc) Application For Archeology Dig, Anne W. Baker

Documentation

Project Submission Sheet submitted by Anne W. Baker on December 18, 2008 for an archeology dig at Waite Potter House.

Waite Potter House: Silent No Longer, A Personal Narrative, Anne W. Baker

Documentation

Anne W. Baker's personal narrative concerning the Waite Kirby Potter House and its restoration.

Waite Potter House: Statement Of Significance For Community Preservation Committee Application, Anne W. Baker

Documentation

Waite Potter House Statement of Significance written for Community Preservation Committee project submission for an archeology dig.

Waite Potter House: Anne W. Baker's Presentation, Anne W. Baker

Documentation

PDF of Anne W. Baker's Powerpoint slides used for her presentation on Waite Potter House Restoration given in 2008 to the Westport Historical Society.

Waite Potter House: Community Preservation Committee (Cpc) Application For Stabilization Of Stone-End Chimney, Anne W. Baker

Documentation

Project Submission Sheet submitted by Anne W. Baker to the Westport Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for the Stabilization of the the stone-end chimney from further deterioration. Submission date: 11/16/2006 - 4/12/2007

Waite Potter House: Community Preservation Committee (Cpc) Application For Waterproofing Of Restored Brick And Stone Chimneys, Anne W. Baker

Documentation

Project Submission Sheet submitted by Anne W. Baker on December 22, 2007 for the Waterproofing the Waite Potter restored brick and stone chimney.

The Plurality Of Truth In Culture, Context, And Heritage: A (Mostly) Post-Structuralist Analysis Of Urban Conservation Charters, Jeremy C. Wells

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

This paper analyzes international heritage conservation charters through the post-structuralist lens of relative and perspective-driven “truths,” fragmentation, and dramatic settings. The “SPAB Manifesto,” the Athens Charter, the Venice Charter, the Burra Charter, and the Nara Document on Authenticity are evaluated within the framework of discursive theories established by Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, Jürgen Habermas, and Gilles Deleuze in regard to cultural meanings and absolute and relative truths. Preservation doctrine through the Venice Charter engages in a positivist truth based on the substantiation of material fetishes. These early doctrines imbue the materiality of the object with truth as an absolute rather …

Mott House: Chapter 13 Of Collecting Houses By Anne W. Baker, Anne W. Baker

Documentation

Anne W. Baker describes the significance of the Mott House in her book Collecting Houses: 17th Century Houses 20th Century Adventures. Published in 2003.