Killdeer, North Dakota, January 23, 2008 – Life on the prairie will be a reality for volunteers joining Heritage Conservation Network and Preservation North Dakota in a week-long hands-on building conservation workshop at the Hutmacher Farmstead in Killdeer this May. They will spend their days repairing the main house of the pioneer complex, which is one of the last (and possibly the best) examples of stone-slab construction in this legendary state. They’ll spend their nights listening to cowboy poetry and gazing at the stars.

A team of eight or more volunteers is critical to the success of the project. The buildings at the Hutmacher Farmstead were highly labor intensive to construct and to maintain; their preservation takes an equal amount of effort. The week’s primary task will be rebuilding the roof of the main house, which involves timber framing and grass thatch covered with a clay mixture. Volunteers will also be doing stone masonry work to stabilize the walls, which will then be tuck-pointed with clay mortar. No experience working with historic buildings is necessary, just an interest in the project and a willingness to learn and experience new things.

Volunteers will stay in a rustic cabin at the Naard Creek Ranch, located 20 miles northwest of Killdeer and 25 minutes from the work site. They also have the option to camp. The fee for the workshop, which is $340 or $490 depending on your lodging option, covers lunch at the site, project materials, and insurance. The dates are May 25-31, 2008. Complete details and registration information are available from HCN’s website www.heritageconservation.net/ws-hutmacher-2008.htm or by contacting Judith Broeker, HCN project director, at +1 303 444 0128.

The goal of the project is to ensure the site’s future preservation by utilizing it as an experiential vacation location. For now, this volunteer vacation is sure to be unlike anything else you’ve ever done.

About HCN

Heritage Conservation Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of architectural heritage around the world. HCN produces an annual series of hands-on building conservation workshops in association with local preservation partners in order to further the sites’ preservation and provide an educational experience for participants.