10th Annual Preservation In Your Community August 10, 2010

National Park Service offices in Natchitoches, La., will highlight preservation activities in the Cane River region during the 10th annual Preservation in Your Community event on Aug. 10.

The event will be held at the headquarters of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), 645 University Parkway. NCPTT is sponsoring the event along with the Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CARI) and the Cane River National Heritage Area (CRNHA).
National Park Service offices in Natchitoches will highlight preservation activities in the Cane River region during the 10th annual Preservation in Your Community event on Aug. 10.

National Park Service offices in Natchitoches will highlight preservation activities in the Cane River region during the 10th annual Preservation in Your Community event on Aug. 10.

The public is invited to stop by anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to enjoy refreshments, view exhibits from local heritage groups, and visit with NCPTT, CARI and CRNHA interns from across the country about their preservation research.

“Preservation in Your Community showcases a lot of interesting work that the community might enjoy, but may not be aware of,” Kirk Cordell, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training executive director, said.

This year’s event will focus on giving attendees preservation information they can use for their own heritage activities and projects.

For example, Rodney Meziere, CARI intern, will present information that will help guests determine whether they need to hire a conservator for preservation work or if it is simple enough to do themselves.

Stephanie Nelson, NCPTT historic landscape intern, will present a landscape preservation maintenance training video. The video will include information about how to grow and control vegetation at historic sites without compromising the integrity of the area.

Anna Muto, NCPTT materials research intern, will present a study of rust converters and protective coatings for outdoor metalwork. Guests will learn how to treat rust, prevent future corrosion, and strengthen metal materials against the environment.

Megan Blinov, CARI intern, will present information about the musical legacy of Cane River and its importance in cultural traditions. Visitors to the Cane River area learn about plantations, archeological sites and cemeteries, but music is often overlooked.

Kimberly Martin, NCPTT architecture and engineering intern, will present research about the ability of paint strippers to remove weathered paints from historic brick. Martin will share which paint removers and methods are most appropriate for modern and historic brick.

Caitlin Oshida, NCPTT materials research and historic landscapes intern, will provide information about herbicides and their possible negative effects on historic brick and masonry. She will also provide alternative methods to safely apply those materials.

Rebecca Bonnet, CARI intern, will give information about the operation of Magnolia Plantation, a family-owned agribusiness, over the course of two centuries. Bonnet will explain how historical information that was originally left out during the documentation process can be continually integrated into the plantation’s rich cultural heritage.

Robert Caldwell, CRNHA intern, will introduce information about basic materials conservation in the digitizing of historic structures within the Natchitoches landmark district. This research ensures the preservation of documents and creates a different way for researchers to access that information.

CRNHA will present information from phase one of the Military Heritage Assessment and Tour of Cane River National Heritage Area. The program has an emphasis on the diverse military heritage of the National Heritage Area including historic photographs, historic maps, and cultural and natural threats to the site.

If your organization would like to participate in Preservation in Your Community or if you would like more information, contact Cameron Tillman at 318-356-7444