Practical Preservation

Steve Larson, principal at Adelphi Paper Hangings, joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss his work recreating historic block print wallpaper. We covered multiple topics, including: Steve’s background growing up with access to his father’s paint and wallpaper store, and his art school projects using wallpaper How a project on block print wallpaper at the...Read More

Jymm Hoffman, blacksmith and owner of Hoffman’s Forge, joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss his work as a blacksmith and historical consultant. We covered multiple topics, including: His background, including how reenacting sparked his interest in preservation How he maintains historical-accuracy wherever possible, and his research-findings including the diverse skills and jobs of...

Ahmed Zidan of Hollander Glass joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss the company’s restoration/historic branch, Hollander Historic. We covered multiple topics, including: The company’s background and the history of glass-making The company’s services, primarily as specialty glass fabricators and distributors Hollander’s historic line of restoration window glass, including glass appr...

Bob Yapp – noted preservationist, teacher, and consultant – joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss his extensive work and experiences in the field of preservation. We covered multiple topics, including: Bob’s background in preservation, from being a school-aged child whose father taught him what it means to be the steward of an old home,...Read More

Robert Blackson, Director of Temple Contemporary Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia, joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss the Vital Signs Project. We covered many things, including: Robert’s background as a curator and belief that “culture is something that civilizes us.” The history of sign-painting for advertisement purposes, including...Rea...

Julie Fitzpatrick and Mary Tate, Executive Director and Field Services Coordinator of Pennsylvania Downtown Center, joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss the nonprofit organization’s mission and services. We covered a multitude of topics including: Julie and Mary’s backgrounds in related fields  How the mainstreet methodology remains relevant, particularly when addressing current is...

Patricia O’Donnell and Gregory De Vries, founder and managing partner of Heritage Landscapes, joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss their preservation landscape architecture and planning firm. We covered a multitude of topics including: How their diverse educational backgrounds enabled them to forge their current careers in a niche industry Terminology including “landscaping” vs. “l...

Samuel C. Slaymaker, III, Executive Director of Rock Ford Plantation in Lancaster, PA, joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss the museum and property’s history, services, and events. We covered a multitude of topics including: Samuel’s background and what led him to his current role of director, including growing up in his ancestral home, itself...Read More

Noel Beauchamp, of Olde Good Things, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss the company’s architectural salvage services. We covered a multitude of topics including: The company’s background and evolution from selling small items to large architectural pieces (it started with an iron gate from Brooklyn) How they approach rescuing architectural materials to stay ahead...Read More

Kevin Sullivan, insurance agent at National Trust Insurance Services, LLC, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss unique, historically-focused insurance services offered by the company. We covered a multitude of topics including: The insurance company’s inception by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2003, due to a significant lack of insurance options specific to...Read...

Amalia Leifeste and Barry Stiefel, authors of Sustainable Heritage: Merging Environmental Conservation and Historic Preservation, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss their book and information about their work in historic preservation and sustainability. We covered a multitude of topics including: Their respective backgrounds, as well as catalysts for their interest in the interse...

Lisa Craig, principal of the Craig Group, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about her work in historic preservation and specifically resilience planning. We covered a multitude of topics including: Her diverse background and 30+ years of experience in all aspects of historic preservation, and how “water being the enemy of any historic...Read More

Rabbit Goody, owner, designer, and master weaver of Thistle Hill Weavers, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about her background in weaving, and museum curation and consultation. We covered a multitude of topics including: Rabbit’s interwoven skill-sets and background, starting with her intuitive skills as a teen-aged weaver, and her academic backgrounds in...Read Mo...

Patricia Cove, of Architectural Interiors and Design, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about her background in interior design and her company’s specialization in renovation, restoration, and adaptive re-use. We covered a multitude of topics including: How she evolved in her career, beginning as an English teacher, and moving on to follow her...Read More

Craig Meyer, of the UNICO System, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about the company’s history and current business in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). We covered a multitude of topics including: His background in marketing, business development, and engineering UNICO’s inception as a family-owned contracting business and American success-story wit...

Dan Godfrey, of RLPS Architects, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about the firm and the recent adaptive reuse project at the Wilbur Chocolate Factory in Lititz, PA. We covered a multitude of topics including: His background in architecture The wide geographical and type of project scope of RLPS How the adaptive reuse...Read More

Robert Chickey of Bespoke-Finish, his wood-finishing company, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about his consulting business and his specialization in creating accurate, long-lasting wood-finishing work for restoration and preservation projects. We covered a multitude of topics including: His background in the construction industry and how dissatisfaction with moder...

THIS IS A RE-POST OF A PODCAST INTERVIEW WE ORIGINALLY POSTED March 2019: Greg Huber from Eastern Barn Consultants and Past Perspectives joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss: How barn styles varied from region to region  What makes barn construction unique The type of barn Danielle had never heard of We also discussed the...Read More

Jobie Hill, the founder of The Saving Slave Houses Project, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about her project’s origins and ongoing projects, as well as future growth. We covered a multitude of topics including: Her background in multiple fields related to preservation and what triggered her interest in saving slave houses How...Read More

Dwayne Siever, founder of The Real Milk Paint Company, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about his historic preservation- and earth-friendly paint, wood finish, and wax business. We covered a multitude of topics including: How his background in wood-working, repairing antique furniture and creating antique reproductions eventually led to an interest in finishes...Rea...

THIS IS A RE-POST OF A PODCAST INTERVIEW WE ORIGINALLY POSTED February 2019: John Goodenberger and Lucien Swerdloff from the Clatsop Community College’s Historic Preservation and Restoration program joined the Practical Preservation Podcast to discuss: The collaborative approach their program uses to deal with the contractor storage Sustainable building (viewing historic buildings as resources to....

THIS IS A RE-POST OF A PODCAST INTERVIEW WE ORIGINALLY POSTED January 2019: Chad Martin from Partners for Sacred Places met with me to discuss the work he does helping to preserve religious buildings from demolition through adaptive reuse and the creation of community resources. Some of the topics we discussed include: The economic impact...Read More

THIS IS A RE-POST OF A PODCAST INTERVIEW WE ORIGINALLY POSTED FEBRUARY 2019: John Walters from LeWalt Consulting Groupe joined me to discuss how tax strategies can help with land and property preservation efforts. We covered: How to use easements (the only ironclad vehicle to protect a building) Energy tax credits (and new solar roofing...Read More

Gabe Matyiko, vice president of Expert House Movers of MD, Inc. and a 3rd generation expert in structural moving, joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about the family’s house and structural moving business. We covered a multitude of topics including: The origins of the company, and how Gabe came back to his family’s...Read More

Cory Van Brookhoven and Lowell Wenger of Lititz Historical Foundation joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss information about the museum and general Lititz history. We covered a multitude of topics including: The Moravian origins of the town, including town regulations about who could live in the town proper and rules against taverns or dancing...Read More