Boulder, Colorado, 19 November, 2002 - 

A 19th century mill in Asbury, NJ will be the site of one of Heritage Conservation Network's 2003 series of hands-on building conservation workshops. The workshop, to be held July 13-19, 2003, is part of HCN's continuing effort to provide technical assistance to preservation projects while offering an opportunity for students, conservators and other interested parties to learn specialized building conservation skills. 

The Asbury Mill was built along the Musconetcong River in 1863, on the site of a pre-Revolutionary mill. The building was converted from a flour mill to a graphite mill in 1895, and is considered to be one of the few adaptations of water power to an important twentieth century industry. The Musconetcong Watershed Association, which owns the mill, hopes to restore it for use as a riverside environmental education center. The focus of the workshop will be stabilizing the foundation, repointing stonework, and restoring the site itself. It is hoped that the original path of the water, from the river through the mill, can be re-established. Participants will also learn how a structural assessment of the mill was conducted. 

"This workshop presents an excellent opportunity for people to learn the hows and whys of industrial heritage conservation issues and gain valuable experience working in the field. As with all our workshops, we anticipate that participants will have made a significant contribution to an important preservation project and be able to take what they've learned and apply it - either on a professional level or a personal one - to projects of their own", says Jamie Donahoe, HCN's Operations Director. 

An on-site conservation expert guides and teaches participants through the week-long project, so participants need only an interest in preservation and a willingness to learn while they work. 

The cost of the workshop is US$ 875, which includes lodging, breakfast and lunch, insurance, and workshop materials. Discounts are available for area residents not needing accommodation. Pre-registration is required; registration materials and more workshop details are available from HCN's web site at www.heritageconservation.net or from their office at 1557 North Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80304, USA. Phone +1 303 444 0128, Fax +1 775 320 6837, E-mail workshops@heritageconservation.net. 

Heritage Conservation Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of architectural heritage around the world. Through a network of experts, volunteers and community members, the organization aims to increase awareness of the significance of historic sites and stimulate each community's interest in and knowledge of appropriate conservation skills, thus helping to provide for the long-term preservation of significant structures and sites.