In a message dated 3/19/99 8:00:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> How important is it to retain or reproduce historic materials in these
cases?
As recently pointed out to me, one consideration is that by using original
materials it may also conserve the craft of using those materials. If you want
to retain stonemasons then replace with stone and not fiberglas or GFRC.
Personal perspective... I want the stonemasons to be employed, but when the
need fits I'll use whatever looks good and meets the budget. I would rather
see preservation done less than perfect than a decision to not do it at all.
][<en