On April 13, The Campaign for Historic Trades assisted the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) for career day with Frederick High School’s Linking Youth to New Experiences (LYNX) program. LYNX promotes different pathways for students after high school, including jobs in historic preservation. The Historic Preservation Training Center is a unique section of the National Park Service, dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of national parks across the U.S, and a primary partner in The Campaign.
Students toured the HPTC workshop, where they witnessed preservation carpenters and glaziers in action. Additionally, the students got to test their skills in hands-on demonstrations with staff from the Masonry, Carpentry, Woodcrafting, and Architecture Sections.
With the Masonry Section, students learned about the chemistry of lime mortar, and practiced techniques on how to remove old mortar and repoint it with the new. In Carpentry, students learned how to install cedar shingles on historic structures and got to try their hand at it, donning hard hats and swinging hammers. In Woodcrafting, students learned about window restoration process and how HPTC staff restore sashes in the shop. Students got the opportunity to reglaze their own window sash with fresh glazing putty. Finally, the students did a walking tour with the Architecture Section to examine different types of architectural features on buildings in historic downtown Frederick.
Events like this are an important part of The Campaign’s mission to expand and strengthen careers in the historic trades. Through youth programming like the Traditional Trades Advancement Program and Historic Stewards program, The Campaign and its partners help introduce and train young people in historic trades, with the goal to fast-track individuals into emerging positions with the NPS. The Campaign wants to continue to make connections with high schools, especially those interested in promoting careers in preservation and historic trades. If your school is interested, please reach out to us!