Boulder, Colorado, May 1, 2006 - Revisit the year 1631, when Carthusian monks built a private chapel on the upper floor of a manor house in Oplotnica, Slovenia. This 17th century manor house will serve as the classroom for participants in a hands-on building conservation workshop to be held this summer. The workshop is a joint effort between Heritage Conservation Network and Slovenian cultural authorities to restore decorative stucco in the building’s chapel. Working under the guidance of a Slovenian conservator, the participants will learn and practice techniques for testing historic materials and restoring detailing to its original form.

Instruction and hands-on experience will be available for four weeks from 30 July-26 August 2006. Participants may register for one to four weeks. The cost is US$575 per person per week, excluding transportation to the site. The fee does include lodging, breakfasts and lunches, and workshop materials. With the workshops limited to six participants per week, early registration is encouraged. Registration closes June 30, 2006. Complete workshop details and registration information can be found on HCN’s website: www.heritageconservation.net/ws-manor-house.htm or obtained by contacting HCN at +1 303 444 0128, workshops@heritageconservation.net.

The workshop is an excellent way to gain practical experience while providing valuable assistance to the Manor House project. At the conclusion of the summer’s work, the chapel is to be re-consecrated. Oplotnica is approximately 20 miles from Maribor, Slovenia, a town known for its architecture. The workshop will incorporate visits to local heritage sites and will allow participants to become immersed in Slovenian culture. The workshop is being organized in partnership with Zavod ETNO-EKO and the Slovenian National Institute for Protection of Cultural Heritage and presented with the support of Slovenia Nostra, a member of Europa Nostra. Instruction will be in English and Slovenian.

Heritage Conservation Network is a non-profit organization that actively works to preserve the world’s architectural heritage by organizing an annual series of hands-on building conservation workshops that provide technical assistance to preservation projects while providing an enjoyable educational experience for participants.