The Newport Restoration Foundation’s Historic Trades Initiative provides opportunities for new and experienced craftspeople to expand their skills, learn new trades, and gain expertise in the historic trades.
Preservation Trades Specialist Program
What You Will Learn
This course offers a broad perspective on a variety of traditional trade areas and how they differ from contemporary construction. Students will gain a working knowledge of how to identify and approach repairs on historic buildings, and how to seek reliable resources.
- Historic Preservation Fundamentals
- Traditional Building Style
- Building Analysis
- Blueprint Reading
- Carpentry of Framing
- Windows, Doors, and Millwork
- Brick and Stone Masonry
- Traditional Plaster
- Historic Paints and Finishes
- Historic Metalwork
- Historic Roofing
What To Expect
Each week a different subject area is covered by subject matter experts who share their time and knowledge. Students will spend time in both the classroom and in a learning lab environment to practice traditional techniques.
Lead Instructor-
J. Scott McDowell, owner of Rockwood Joinery, has been NRF’s lead instructor for the past three years. Scott has both academic experience as well as a long history in the field. He possesses a degree in Preservation Carpentry from the North Bennet Street School in Boston, worked 7 years with the National Park Service, and spent decades more working with historic homeowners. Scott is also a member of the Timber Framers Guild and Preservation Trades Network.
FAQ
Who can attend this program?
This program is geared toward students who have a background in construction who wish to broaden their knowledge of the preservation trades. Anyone currently working on historic homes, or hoping to, should take this class.
- Current residential or commercial construction workers
- Interest in a career in the preservation trades
- 2+ years of field experience
- Enthusiasm for preservation, but previous knowledge is not required
What certifications do participants receive?
Participants in this course receive an NRF certification of course completion with 60 hours of preservation training. Certification hours can be used toward future preservation apprenticeship coursework.
How can I get more information?
For more information, contact NRF’s Historic Trades Initiative Manager:
Kris Turgeon
kris@newportrestoration.org
401-556-7165
Date and Time January – March 2025
Tuesday & Thursday
5:00-7:30pm
12 week course
Location IYRS Campus
449 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840 + additional locations in Newport
Cost This program costs $300. A sliding fee schedule may be available.
How to Apply
Please complete this online application
Deadline for applications is December 31
Job Shadowing: NRF Preservation Crew
Why Job Shadow
54% of Newport properties are considered historic, which makes Aquidneck Island an ideal center to learn the historic trades. Through this job shadowing program, participants will understand the breadth of trades involved in preservation and where their interests intersect. Once complete, participants will have insight into a career in the historic trades.
What You Will Learn
This five-day job shadowing program provides opportunities for community members to gain experience in the preservation trades, including:
-
Painting
-
Carpentry
-
Site Preparation
Who Should Participate
- Anyone with a strong interest in working in the trades.
- 18+ years
- Basic construction skills are a plus, but not required.
- Able to lift 50 lbs. and stand for several hours.
What to Expect
- Job shadowing is an ideal way to learn firsthand about the day-to-day work of a professional in the historic trades. Participants will shadow a different team member each day, rotating through the field crew, mill, and museum staff.
- Job shadows also provide opportunities for participants to build professional relationships with people in preservation. By having in-depth conversations with a professional and meeting his or her colleagues, a participant can expand their professional network
Date and Time
8:00am – 4:30pm for five days
Days can be consecutive or staggered over several weeks for a total of 40 hours
Location Each day starts at the NRF Mill (62 Halsey St, Newport)
Participants will then travel to the job site with NRF Crew
Compensation Participants will be paid a stipend of $600 for five days.
How to Apply Please complete this online application
Historic Carpentry Internship
What You Will Learn
The internship is an up to 12-week full-time position at NRF’s carpentry mill (62 Halsey Street, Newport). The intern will work under the supervision of NRF’s Mill Supervisor who will guide the daily prioritization of work to be completed. The mill’s primary role is to repair or recreate interior and exterior property features such as windows, doors, trim, clapboard, and staircases for installation on NRF properties.
What To Expect
Participants in this internship will learn how to:
- Perform the duties of a carpenter, including the repair or, if necessary, reproduction of window frames, sash, doors, ridge boards, moldings, water tables, corner boards, frieze boards, soffit, and any other elements of exterior and/or interior trim; cut, set, sanding, and glaze glass.
- Assess the existing conditions of historic material and assist in helping NRF make sound decisions regarding preserving, repairing, restoring, or replacing historic materials or features.
- Operate, safely and expertly, the following equipment: table saw, band saw, 6” auto-feed molding machine, shaper, 12” disc sander, drill press, bench grinders, mortising machine, and all types of hand tools.
- Maintain existing equipment and machinery to ensure safe operation.
- Provide painting, varnishing, and staining for woodwork.
What You Should Know
Applicants should have:
- Knowledge of basic operation of stationary machinery- thickness plainer, miter box, radial arm saw, and table saw
- 1 year of base carpentry experience or training – preservation training is not necessary
- Knowledge of machinery safety protocol
- Reliable transportation to the NRF Mill
Schedule
8:00am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday
June – August 2025
Location
Each day starts at the NRF Mill (62 Halsey St, Newport)
Participants will then travel to the job site with NRF Crew
Compensation $18.00 per hour as an NRF employee
Housing may be available
How to Apply
Please complete this online application
Applications are due by May 23, 2025
College Field Internship
What You Will Learn
Undergraduate or graduate students in preservation, or a related field, will work alongside the Preservation Crew to gain hands-on experience with fieldwork. This is an opportunity for students interested in the historic trades to access to the craft side of preservation.
Subject areas include painting, carpentry, mill shop, site preparation, and masonry. Additional areas based on student interest: site documentation, architectural fragments collection, and landscaping.
- Learn the intricacies of the duties performed by a traditional carpenter, including repairing the historic fabric of colonial properties in the field.
- Assess the existing conditions of historic material.
- Operation of power equipment in mill shop.
- Painting, staining, and other finishes on woodwork.
Who Should Participate
Upperclassman or graduate students in preservation or in a related field.
- No prior experience in construction is necessary, but beneficial.
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs. & stand for long periods of time.
What to Expect
The internship requires students to work primarily outdoors supporting the NRF crew. As the intern masters repair techniques and machinery use, more responsibility will be assigned. The intern will have the opportunity to work with a variety of departments over the course of the internship.
Schedule One semester long, start date based on academic calendar
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
20-40 hours per week
Location Each day starts at the NRF Mill (62 Halsey St, Newport)
Participants will then travel to the job site with NRF Crew
Compensation Intern will be paid $18 per hour by NRF as an NRF employee
How to Apply Please complete this online application