Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/899551
Heritage Matters 25 23 Heritage Matters Algonquin students come to Perth from across Canada, the United States and even Europe, Asia and South America. At an average age of 28, they bring a fascinating range of life experiences. They explore craft and materials and learn the fundamentals of building construction, fitment and conservation. After graduation, it is not just about old buildings – our graduates are leather workers, teachers, timber framers, straw bale builders, fabricators in custom stair shops, dry laid stone wallers, stone carvers in the Parliamentary Precinct, pizza oven builders, home inspectors and instrument makers. The common thread is the culture and craft of traditional trades. Much can be accomplished from the interplay between tool and material when guided by hand and eye. We see the pride that comes from working with one's hands and mind. These trained craftspeople are creating jobs, raising their families in the communities in which they work, creatively using their knowledge and resources to contribute to the world around them. The issue of replacement windows provides an excellent example of the impact a workforce of skilled and thoughtful tradespeople can have on a community. Replacement windows are built using petroleum products in a distant factory with low-wage labour and then installed. Unable to be repaired, they are discarded within 25 years. Consider instead local craftspeople hired at good wages who rejuvenate, weatherize and repair existing windows for a similar or lesser cost with comparable or better performance. Thoughtful maintenance and care of buildings provides good employment, consumes local materials and is ultimately far more impactful than installing "maintenance-free" products. As with the buildings, the skills and knowledge of traditional craft must be preserved in order to maintain the culture that sustains our communities. Gradually but increasingly, communities, regions, even nations are recognizing the importance of heritage craft knowledge. Japan protects this knowledge and training in its legislation while Britain is establishing training centres for traditional trades. Alberta and Saskatchewan provide scholarships for students studying traditional trades, as do the Port Hope and London chapters of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. Imagine if every community financially supported a student or two annually to take one of our programs or a program at an institution like ours. In just a handful of years, those communities would have individuals ready, able and willing to begin the work of their own local heritage conservation projects. The intangible heritage that is manifest in the care of old buildings has profound implications for the quality, durability and utility of our tangible heritage. Therefore, this knowledge and skill must be supported by those who need it. If the thought, craft and quality of heritage trades is recognized, the preservation of our stories through built heritage will be a lot closer to reality. Preserve the craft and the built heritage will follow. Andrew Pamenter is a Professor of Carpentry and Joinery – Heritage at Algonquin College in Perth. Christopher Hahn is the Dean of the Perth Campus. Photo: Algonquin College Perth Campus (Marketing) Masonry – Heritage and Traditional Program