Full Workshop Descriptions:
Sunday
10:15 - Historic real estate 101 with Town & Shore Real Estate: Buying or selling an older home can come a certain set of expectations and complications. Learn from the experts at Town & Shore Real Estate about what you need to know for your old house transactions.
11:15 - Lighting 101: Don’t burn the house down & Hardware 1010: Being safe and secure behind your hardware with Decorum Hardware & Nostalgia Lighting: Hardware and fixtures can make all the difference in a home’s aesthetics and functionality. Let the experts answer questions you didn’t even know you had about lights (how do you know it’s time for a little TLC, whether or not to polarize, different kinds of sockets) and locks (what’s the difference between mortise and tubular locks? What’s the best hardware for a pocket door?). It’ll be illuminating!
12:15 - Preservation Q&A with Les Fossel of Restoration Resources: Looking to undertake some preservation work on your home? You’ve probably got some questions about best practices, materials, costs, timelines and more. Bring all those questions to a chat with Les Fossel, a preservation pro with nearly 50 years of experience preserving Maine’s old buildings.
1:15 - Plaster repair with Peter Lord Plaster & Paint: When approaching plaster repair, there are many factors to consider. The project goal and budget, the condition of the plaster and the structural integrity, and the availability of skill and materials all influence the final approach. Peter will review these factors, how they are interconnected and offer recommendations based on years of practical experience repairing plaster in all types of projects from museum restoration to homeowner repair on a budget.
2:15 - A Love Affair with Doors with Portland Door Restoration: Do you ever see a house that's been beautifully maintained or restored, but there's something just a little bit off about it? Could it be that the door is just not quite right? Wayne Valzania will discuss the importance of doors and millwork in the restoration of historic buildings and the process by which this crucial preservation work is done.
Saturday
10:15 - Maine’s painted walls and murals with the Center for Painted Wall Preservation: With a concentration on Maine muralists working from 1820-1845 and the evolution of their styles and techniques during that time. There will be an emphasis on the murals of Jonathan D. Poor a premier muralist, nephew of Rufus Porter, the best known of the state’s muralists.
11:15 - Historic designations and what they mean with the City of Portland Historic Preservation Program: Historic Districts, National Register Listing, Local Historic Landmark—we know it can all be a little confusing to know what the rules and benefits are for different properties with different designations. This workshop will cut through the jargon, leaving you with a clear understanding of a complicated topic!
12:15 - Preservation Q&A with Les Fossel of Restoration Resources: Looking to undertake some preservation work on your home? You’ve probably got some questions about best practices, materials, costs, timelines and more. Bring all those questions to a chat with Les Fossel, a preservation pro with nearly 50 years of experience preserving Maine’s old buildings.
1:15 - Efficiency Maine Residential Offerings with Efficiency Maine: Old Houses don’t have to be drafty! Want to make an upgrade but confused about what is and isn’t eligible for a rebate? Want to learn which systems are best for your property (and the environment!)? Let the pros from Efficiency Maine light your path to a more sustainable home that saves you money and helps the planet at the same time.
2:15 - Historic Houses for Contemporary Lives with Your Historic House: Old houses are wonderful (we’re all in agreement there) but they were designed for a different way of life than we live today. This presentation will go into how you can make a historic building into a modern home without stripping it of everything that you first fell in love with.
Saturday from 10:00-12:00 in the main exhibit hall - Demonstration of best practices to care for your old books and photos with Abraham Schechter, librarian and archivist at the Portland Room, Portland Public Library. Stop by anytime!