Historic Building Documentation Expedition at James Madison's Montpelier
Week-long field school in historic building documentation. Work along side preservation professionals to gain hands-on experience documenting two of Montpelier early 20th century structures.
Montpelier Station , United States
11350 Constitution Hwy
In 1901 the duPont family of Delaware bought Montpelier, expanded the main house, and erected dozens of buildings across the property. These included multiple types of barns, other agricultural and horticultural buildings and workspaces, kennels, and —crucially —housing for the local African-American workers they hired for the skilled labor and knowledge necessary to make their vision of the property a reality.
Montpelier is slowly losing most of these historic buildings, nearly all built before 1908, to neglect. In total there are over 120 structures across the property, with only 27 monitored on a regular basis. Prior to further deterioration of these structures, the Montpelier Foundation will be conducting an intensive photographic campaign to allow for the recording of existing conditions, and to develop a photographic catalog that can be used for photogrammetry.
Embark on an immersive journey during this exhilarating one-week program! Participants will delve into the intricate examination of 20th century duPont buildings, gaining hands-on experience as they explore two historic structures on-site. From capturing interiors through photography to meticulously recording details and crafting floorplans, every moment is a step towards understanding and preserving architectural heritage.
Venturing into the field, participants will assess potential threats to buildings and provide recommendations for stabilization. The culmination of their efforts will be the creation of digitally tagged albums, seamlessly integrated with detailed 3D digital models for Montpelier's cutting-edge GIS projects.
But that's not all! Engaging lectures and exclusive tours led by Montpelier staff will unravel the vivid stories of various structures on property, including iconic landmarks such as the Montpelier main house and the Gilmore Cabin—a 19th-century freedman's cabin. Witnessing live demonstrations featuring state-of-the-art equipment like drones and DSLR cameras, participants will be captivated by the intersection of tradition and technology.
As the program draws to a close, participants will seize the opportunity to personally contribute to the legacy by crafting a 3D model of a historic structure. Get ready for a week filled with exploration, discovery, and a deep dive into the fascinating world of historic architecture!
