Willowbank Stone Conservation Field School Course:
Application Deadline: MAY 15 2017
Apply now
www.willowbank.ca
www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca
For more details: 2017 Willowbank – Stone Conservation Field School – Summer Course
Course Dates: JUNE 10-30 2017
Experience working on original 17th century Stonework at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Ontario, a National Historic Site. Join one of twelve to learn from leading conservation professionals to be involved in the conservation of Ontario’s oldest masonry. This course will expose participants to the latest developments in technology, craft, and science applied to historic structures and archeological sites. It is aimed at those who have a desire to understand, specify, supervise, and practice in the masonry conservation field. Just two hours from Toronto on Georgian Bay.
COURSE TOPICS:
DOCUMENTATION AND DIGITAL RECORDING
Examines the techniques that are currently available for recording existing masonry. Participants will have the opportunity to carry out hand recording and documentation on the Chapel Fireplace that will ensure a complete picture of the structure as found.
ARCHEOLOGY 
As one of the most significant sites in Ontario, we will examine the chronology of the archeology from the 1940s excavations carried out by the Royal Ontario Museum to the present day work that helps to further the understanding of the site and guide conservation initiatives.
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
Through presentations, site tours and story telling, participants will be exposed to the layering associated with the site within the larger cultural landscape context, from the Huron/ Wendat, first peoples through to the Jesuit mission; the early rediscovery, archaeology and recreation of the site. This relates to the present conservation work, as well as the presentation, interpretation, and management of the site.
HISTORIC MORTARS
We will examine and discuss the various mortars used on the historic stone work, their impact over time and the various current products available for replacement. In addition you will help to carry out a lime burn which will produce a hot-lime mortar similar to that originally used to build the fireplaces. You will have the opportunity to prepare and use the hot-lime mortars in the traditional manner.
MASONRY CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES
We will discuss the relationship between documentation, disassembly, and reconstruction. In addition we will discuss stabilization and bracing techniques, take-down documentation, and the approach, materials and techniques for the extensive stone repairs. Opportunities to carry out much of this work will be available, including repairs on the shattered hearth stones.
DESIGN CHARETTE
A professional facilitator will guide participants, the local heritage community and site stakeholders in exploring solutions around the interpretation of the original stonework in the context of the site.The overall long term protection and conservation of the masonry is coupled with challenges of interpretation, visitor experience and site management. The outcome of the charette will directly assist the site with these important issues.
EXTRA CURRICULAR
There will be opportunities to explore the area with planned visits to the adjacent Wye Marsh, the remarkable Great Lakes SS Keewatin and Sainte-Marie among the Huron’s sister site, Discovery Harbour, which contains structures from the British naval base of 1817 and the newly conserved hull of the Tecumseh in a modern climate controlled environment.
KEITH BLADES, M.A. Conservation Studies, University of York, UK.
Keith has specialized in all aspects of masonry conservation over the past 40 years in Canada. He has practiced as a Consultant, Conservator and Educator and is currently a Faculty Associate at Willowbank School of the Restoration Arts in Queenston, Ontario. His work has included the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, the Legislative Buildings in Toronto, the Vimy Monument in France, a previous phase of conservation work at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and on early masonry structures while working for the Directorate of Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments, now Historic England.
JOHN TRIGGS, Associate Professor; Chair, Archeology and Classical Studies, Wilfred Laurier University. John received his PhD in archaeology from the University of Toronto in 1998 and his MA in anthropology from the University of Toronto in 1986. He co-owned the archeological consulting firm Historic Horizon Inc for 6 years. In this capacity, he was involved in dozens of cultural resource management projects working primarily on National Historic Sites, including Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Before joining Wilfred Laurier he taught field schools in Dundurn Castle National Historic site in Hamilton for McMaster University and also for Wilfred Laurier at Discovery Harbour.
ALEX BLADES, Masonry Conservator.
Alex has an undergraduate degree in history and is a graduate of Willowbank. She has curatorial and documentation experience from the museum field. She has practiced as a stone conservator on a number of major projects as part of a stone conservation team on the West Block of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, The Saskatchewan Legislature and the Wellington Wall in Ottawa. In 2016 she was the site conservator for a previous phase of the conservation work at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. She has experience with various stone conservation techniques that include surface repairs, cleaning techniques using water, steam, abrasives and lasers and the preparation and use of hot-lime mortars. She led the team repairing over 300 of the stones at Sainte Marie Among the Hurons in 2016.
ADDITIONAL PRESENTERS WILL INCLUDE:
Staff Members from Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Teaching staff from Willowbank School of the Restoration
Arts & Other Heritage Professionals.
HOW TO APPLY:
Fees: $3,100 CAD per student
Fee includes tuition, lodging, most meals and planned extra-curricular events. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required with your application. Travel to the site is not included and is the responsibility of the student. Should you
be travelling to the site from an international location, health insurance is recommended. Additional typical site
safety equipment will be required and a list will be provided upon acceptance into the field school. Accommodation for the participants will be in the adjacent Martyrs’ Shrine, with a short walk to the site each morning. Breakfast and lunches will be served at the Sainte-Marie among the Hurons restaurant, with evening meals, ranging from on-site dinners in recreated Jesuit buildings and Huron long houses to BBQ’s and other venues.
Entry: All are welcome to apply for the program. Students must be 18 years or older. Please keep in mind that this is an intensive educational experience. Space is limited!
Applications due May 15th.
If you have further question please feel free to contact us:
For All Registration: Nancy Oakley, Director of Education, Willowbank Email: nancy.oakley@willowbank.ca
T: 905-262-1239 ex. 206.
To Find Out More about the Course: Keith Blades, Email: conservation@keithblades.com
Should you wish to submit your registration in hard copy, please send it to:
Willowbank
14487 Niagara River Parkway (P.O. Box 212)
Queenston, ON, L0S 1L0
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