On April 28th, The Campaign for Historic Trades partnered with Sweet Briar College to deliver a hands-on masonry workshop designed to connect students with the art and science of traditional building practices. Over the course of the day, thirteen engineering students and one alumna stepped away from their classrooms and into the world of historic masonry—gaining skills, perspective, and inspiration in the process.
The Sweet Briar College Bell Tower
Led by expert masons John Friedrichs and Jimmy Price, with coordination by Training Coordinator Kelly Pratt, the workshop covered a range of essential topics: the material history of Sweet Briar College, acid digestion and mortar analysis, hand-made brick production, masonry conditions assessment, and masonry cleaning. These activities gave students the opportunity to engage with their campus in a new way—not just as a place to study, but as a living historic site.
Masonry instructors Jimmy Price (shown left) and John Friedrichs (shown right).
Students posed proudly with the bricks they made. One girl stated,
“I have new appreciation for laborers in other countries who still make bricks by hand.”
The timing of the workshop also allowed students to pause their training to attend Sweet Briar’s engineering capstone presentations, offering a unique balance of technical scholarship and hands-on application that embodies the spirit of interdisciplinary learning. In the afternoon, Sweet Briar College President Mary Pope Maybank Hutson, members of the board, and staff visited the workshop site. They met with students, observed their progress, and learned more about the educational and career possibilities the trades can offer. Their presence showed the college’s commitment to experiential learning and the value of introducing historic trades into academic pathways.
Brushes for cleaning the brick.
A memorable moment came when students were invited to reflect creatively on the day. A “memory board” became a space for personal expression—covered with sketches of Sweet Briar’s iconic Bell Tower, thank-you notes to the instructors, and written reflections on the importance of preserving historic buildings. One student, Maggie, holds up a handwritten note that summed up her feelings about the event:
“What an amazing experience to increase my knowledge in masonry! Plus with the best teachers.”
-Maggie
Special thanks to Clélie Steckel, Director of Communications, Marketing, and Events at Sweet Briar, and to the Physical Plant team whose on-the-ground support—setting up tables, hoses, buckets, tarps, and more—made the workshop possible. Their behind-the-scenes effort ensured students could focus fully on the learning experience.
Students cleaned a brick wall below the bell tower.
Students look at the results of the acid digestion process to understand what the mortar consists of.
This workshop is a prime example of how historic trades education can inspire and empower the next generation. By bringing practical, hands-on training to students in a college setting, The Campaign for Historic Trades is working to ensure that traditional skills are passed on and that preservation is seen not just as a job—but as a vital calling.
Students created a memory board showing what inspires them about the campus and what they learned during the workshop.
Some students pose for a picture during one of the breaks.
If your institution is interested in partnering to host a similar workshop or educational experience, reach out to Kelly Pratt, Training Coordinator, at kpratt@historictrades.org.