TIMBER FRAME PRESERVATION Oct 6-10, 2025
Note: This class will take place in more than one location. See below for details.
A Guide to Understanding, Documenting, and Repairing Historic Timber Framed Buildings
Beginning with a brief history of the craft of timber framing and an understanding of historic joinery and traditional layout systems, participants will learn methods for documenting and dating historic structures with both traditional methods and high-tech gadgetry. The course will address the evolution of preservation philosophy and the United States Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Some of the topics that will be covered include jacking, cribbing and temporary stabilization, repair joinery and joinery decisions.
This course is geared to contractors, architects, engineers, timber framers, and owners of old timber framed buildings.
Required Prerequisite Knowledge:
Some knowledge of the subject matter is preferred, but not required.
After attending this program, participants will be able to:
- Participants will identify historic joinery and traditional timber frame layout systems.
- Participants will explore traditional and high-tech methods for dating and documenting historic structures.
- Participants will investigate and analyze historic timber frame structures to identify options for appropriate nondestructive evaluation, repair, and preservation methods.
- Participants will analyze and apply the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the treatment of the Historic Properties.
SCHEDULE:
Day 1: 9:00am- 5:00pm
Days 2-4: 8:30 am- 4:30 pm
Day 5: 8:30 am- 2:00 pm
NOTE: The course will take place in a few locations throughout the week. The locations present the opportunity to view historic timber frames from different periods and in various stages of repair. We are excited to share these unique places with you.
Monday and Tuesday will be held near the campus in Alstead, NH, and Wednesday-Friday will be held in western Massachusetts (Deerfield, Buckland, and Goshen).
We understand that
this unconventional course structure may pose some inconveniences when planning your trip, and a detailed schedule will be provided upon registration so that you can plan your lodging accordingly. Please reach out with any questions or concerns to request@heartwoodschool.com.
𐎀 For AIA Members:
Credits: 35 hours HSW
If you are an AIA member and interested in receiving credit for this course, please let us know in the space indicated during registration.
This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
INSTRUCTORS:
Michael Cuba and Dan Boyle (visit our INSTRUCTORS page to view instructor bios).