The Association for Preservation Technology International
“Advancing the application of technology to conservation of the built
environment”

Press Release

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, March 11, 1998
Contacts:
Jim Van Westering       (718) 268-1246
Witold Karwowski        (718) 932-6364

APT Co-Sponsors Gala Program on Preservation in Poland

     Under the auspices of the Outreach Committee, the Association for
Preservation Technology International co-sponsored, with the Embassy of the
Republic of Poland, a gala evening program on Historic Preservation in Poland
Today.  Over 100 preservationists from New York and Poland where the guests of
the Polish National Tourist Office for the panel discussion and reception on
March 9th held at the General Consulate in mid-town Manhattan.

     APT members in New York, who formed the delegation to the Antikon ‘97
Conference in Poland, Scott Demel, Jan Pokorny Associates, Inc.; Witold
Karwowski, ARTECO; and James Van Westering, Van Westering Associates were
featured speakers.  Ken Follett, APT Board Member, and his wife Kathy played
key roles in organizing the event and making it an outstanding success.  Kent
Diebolt from Vertical Access drove all the way from Ithaca, NY to greet the
Polish visitors.

     From Poland, Marek Baranski with the State Service for Cultural Heritage
Protection in Warsaw, and Dr. Jerzy Szczepanski, Historical Monument
Conservation Ltd. in Kielce, rounded out the panel which reviewed major
current projects visited in Warsaw and Szczecin.  Leading the delegation of 12
from Poland was Marek Ciastoch, Mayor of the City of Zamosc.

     The General Consulate is located in the beautifully-restored Beaux-Arts
De Lamar Mansion, a New York City Landmark, which provided a grand setting for
the event.  APT members and preservationists from the academic and business
communities and the public and private sectors meet with diplomats and
students to share in the rich, but often tragic history, of Poland.  Over
delicious Polish snacks and soups, new friendships were made and old ones
renewed.

     Greeting were extended to the guests from Lonnie Hovey, Outreach
Committee Chairman, who was hit at the last minute with the flu bug and was
unable to attend.       Lonnie’s request to have the New Orleans Charter
translated into Polish was accepted by Marek Baranski along with a was a warm
invitation to participate in APT’s 30th anniversary conference in
Williamsburg. VA. this November.

     The Association for Preservation Technology International is a multi-
disciplinary, membership organization dedicated to advancing the application
of technology to the built environment.  Members of APT include architects,
conservators, consultants, contractors, craftspersons, landscape architects,
managers, planners, preservationists, technicians, tradespeople and others
involved in the systematic application of the knowledge of methods and
materials to the conservation of buildings, districts and artifacts.  Today,
APT has members in 28 countries around the world.

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