This is an e-mail that came in today from Grace Crane. I asked if she
would like to join the BULLAMANKA-PINHEADS. She agree. (Now be nice
everyone.) What you will find below is the e-mail from Grace and my
response. Any thoughts floating around out there?

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Grace wrote:

I am confused. The Frederick charter speaks of "trades" and
"professionals". In my experience with conservation/restoration work,
the "trades" were the "professionals". That is, the people who did the
work also did the design for approval before doing the work. They were
aware of methods, laws, regulations, etc. I have never considered them
to be mere worker bees. But my impression of what I have read in all
of this, is that those who do the hands-on work of conservation /
restoration do not consider themselves to be professionals. So I have to
ask, what is your definition of "trades" and "professionals".

I think the concept of conferences showing hands-on techniques is
wonderful and long overdue. I do not consider attending a lecture type
conference as being of too much value in learning about how to take
care of our historic buildings, though this is the type of reference
we get from conservators when we advertise an historic project.

I am a federal architect with the Public Buildings Service of GSA, the
Greater Southwest region based in Fort Worth, Texas. I have several
national awards for conservation: Cast Iron Cornice in New Orleans,
Copper Repousse Statues in New Orleans, Mural restoration in Oklahoma
City. I do the design, the source selection, the construction
administration. I have written, because I could not find one even from
the AIA, a specification for restoration of copper respousse statues.
I have just returned from a two week class at Yestermorrow in Vermont,
for which I paid, to learn about stone, so I would know if we are
getting what we are paying for.

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Bryan replied:

Grace:

I agree with you, however, even within the historic preservation
trades/contracting community there is an on-going discussion about the
use of the word professional. The problem usually boils down to the use
of the word "professional" in a legal sense. There are no common
requirements, tests, licensing, etc. required of the individuals that
are related to the knowledge of their trade. All requirements are
usually based on having paid the proper fees and knowing how to complete
a proper contract.

If you would like to join the discussion, I can add your name to a
mail-server list "bullamanka-pinheads". This is an group of people from
various walks of life, (quite a few trades / contractor types) all with
a deep interest in preservation. The topics range from broken chains of
thought and random ramblings to the very heart of relevant preservation
topics. If the craziness is too much your e-mail address can always be
removed from the list.

I would like to post your e-mail and add you to the list. Let me know.

I hope you are able to register and be an active part of the discussion
at the IPTW-98.

Bryan Blundell
PTN-Coordinator