Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (http://www.nps.gov/hafe/) is one of the finest National Park representations of Civil War architecture condensed into a small downtown area.  The park has painstakingly rebuilt the downtown after each flood, the last in the winter of 1996.  The park had commissioned Heritage Restoration employees to complete several projects in the downtown, ranging from wood shingle roofs to masonry.  All projects were completed under the former Institute for Preservation Training, with the intent of providing on the job training and education.  Work was completed on the Tearney Building, Stagecoach Inn, and Armorer’s House during 1997.  .

In 1997, staff apprentice Aaron Crocker gained valuable research and craft training, while a Roger Williams University intern was exposed to the various aspects of historical research, preservation crafts and business activities. In 1998, the Spring Training Program trained students from Mary Washington University and Roger Williams University learning about the safety issues, craft techniques and methodology for restoring historic masonry. 

The 1998 Summer Training Program utilized local masons as training providers for the two interns from Mary Washington University.  The projects involved the restoration of brick Turbine Pit Walls within the ruins of the Cotton Flour Mill, the resetting of a large shale patio at the Armorer’s House, and repointing of miscellaneous brick walls and resetting of brick patios at the Building 10A ruins.