Reviving Old World Craftsmanship: New Hampshire’s Initiative to Train Young Tradespeople
In a world dominated by modern architecture, the skills to maintain the country’s historic structures are dwindling. A unique initiative in New Hampshire aims to bridge this gap by teaching high school students the traditional techniques needed to preserve these architectural treasures.
A significant portion of New England’s charm lies in its historic homes, churches, and barns. Yet, the knowledge to maintain and repair these structures is fading, as fewer young people enter the field of historic trades. New Hampshire Public Radio’s Jackie Harris highlights a program designed to address this challenge by engaging the next generation.
Joshua Adams, a participant in the program, was introduced to the art of timber framing, an ancient building method utilizing heavy timber beams without metal fasteners. “They didn’t use nails. They just used wood – wooden pegs – and all fit together perfectly,” Adams explains. The 17-year-old, already on a construction track at his technical school, applied to the program to gain exposure to these historic building techniques, which he believes will open up numerous job opportunities.
According to a University of New Hampshire survey, the influx of young workers into the historic trades is insufficient to replace retiring professionals. This shortage could result in long waits for building repairs, potentially dissuading owners from restoring their properties. Jennifer Goodman from the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance emphasizes the potential consequences: “And what that can mean is, you know, loss of old windows, loss of old plaster, loss of an old porch that’s really a – gives the building its character.”
Canterbury Shaker Village, a national historic landmark established in the 1700s, serves as a training ground for the program participants. Here, students like Rowan McGrath, who is studying computer engineering, learn practical skills such as shingle replacement on colonial Shaker buildings. McGrath sees this training as a valuable backup to his tech-focused career, noting, “So much people want to go into the tech industry. It’s, you know, AI. You know, it’s a big thing that’s going to probably take over tech. So I have something I can rely on as a backup, and it makes pretty good money.”
Stonemason Kevin Fife, who teaches stone wall rebuilding, finds fulfillment in preserving historical stone structures. His ties to the Shaker village are deep-rooted, and he values the traditional methods: “I like to do it the traditional way ’cause that’s a part of our ancestry, our heritage. And that’s why people come to New England. And it’s just – it’s more fitting.”
Fife hopes these classes will ignite a passion for historic trades among students, ensuring the preservation of New England’s heritage for future generations. Perhaps, when he retires, some of these young tradespeople will be the ones maintaining the stone walls of the Shakers.
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