Campaign for Historic Trades

In 2019 Notre-Dame de Paris was almost lost to fire. On August 5, 2021, in partnership with the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center and with support from The Campaign for Historic Trades, powered by Preservation Maryland, the truss was recreated and raised on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Handshouse Studio, in partnership with Charpentiers sans Frontiéres, reconstructed Notre-Dame de Paris Truss #6, one of the oldest trusses from the roof above the choir. The Handshouse Notre-Dame truss reconstruction was made using the official drawings created by the French lead architects Rémi Fromont and Cédric Trentesaux.

As stated by Handshouse, the project is a gesture of global solidarity with fellow traditional crafts people and an act of goodwill among neighbors.

The full-scale truss was built in a 10-day workshop at The Catholic University of America, concluding August 4th.

Many people think historic trades are “lost arts.” This truss raising demonstrates these skills are not only alive, but they are viable, teachable, and valuable. The Campaign for Historic Trades will continue to advocate for these hands-on learning experiences and introducing people to these traditional building arts.

-Natalie Henshaw, Campaign for Historic Trades Program Manager

The recreation of Truss #6 can be viewed at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. through September 6th.