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Do you love Preservation Briefs? So do we. So much… we made them wearable! Soft. Durable. Historically appropriate. April Fools! These Preservation Briefs might not be real… but the real Preservation Briefs are kind of a big deal.

March is Women’s History Month, a time to highlight histories that have too often been overlooked or undervalued. When discussing women in the trades today, the term “untraditional” is still frequently used. However, a closer examination tells a different story.

March 11th is Worship of Tools Day, a perfect moment to celebrate the tools that make historic trades possible. From the earliest stone implements to the specialized tools used by craftspeople today, tools have shaped human history and the built world around us.

Women in Construction Week celebrates the vital contributions women make across the building trades — and highlights the opportunities ahead.

On January 9, 2026, all of the members of the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option gathered at historic Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, for an All-Corps Professional Development Day. More than just a training, the day was an opportunity for nearly 850 service members from across the state to come together, learn from one another, and reflect on how service can connect personal passion with meaningful work. 

On January 10, 2026, Mozer Works and The Campaign for Historic Trades welcomed members of the community into the Mozer Works workshop in Silver Spring, Maryland for a behind-the-scenes tour of historic window restoration and workforce training in action. 

Have you ever imagined building a career where you work with your hands, preserve history, and spend your days in some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country? If so, the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) may be the perfect opportunity.

Despite her commanding presence and powerful symbolism, the Statue of Freedom is often overlooked, along with the remarkable story of how she was made. Even less known is the man whose skill and ingenuity were crucial to her creation: Philip Reed, an enslaved ironworker whose expertise helped bring Freedom into being. His contribution, long unrecognized, is inseparable from the monument that has come to embody American ideals.

The apprenticeship system is one of the most enduring forms of vocational mentorship. From ancient Egypt and Babylonia to medieval guilds and today’s preservation job sites, skills have been passed down through close, hands-on relationships between mentors and learners. This National Mentoring Month, we recognize the tradespeople who don’t just build and preserve historic places, they mentor the next generation to carry this work forward.

As we head into 2026, The Campaign for Historic Trades is looking back on what we accomplished this year.

Ryan Anderson reflects on her experience at Beyond Hands-On Instructor Training.

PreserveList is a free national directory that connects individuals, organizations, and institutions with skilled preservation professionals and companies dedicated to restoring and preserving historic structures. Whether you’re preserving a historic home, managing a heritage site, or seeking to grow your network of skilled trades professionals, PreserveList is your go-to resource.

From September to October, The Campaign completed 3 workshops: a masonry repointing workshop at Arthurdale Heritage in West Virginia, a masonry repointing workshop at Hargett Farm in Maryland, and an architectural wood refinishing workshop at Community Forklift in Maryland.

On the cool, overcast morning of Wednesday, September 17th, the area outside M&T Bank Stadium was humming with activity. More than 1,200 Maryland high school students poured off their school buses, bright neon yellow shirts and hard hats standing out against the grey sky. Today was all about exploring opportunities in engineering, architecture, and construction. 

From September 15 – October 15, the United States officially celebrates and highlights the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. President Lyndon Johnson started this observation in 1968 with Hispanic Heritage Week and President Ronald Reagan officially expanded it into a month-long celebration in 1988. These dates were selected to align with several Central American countries’ independence days.