ADRIAN — The Michigan Historic Preservation Network and the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute recently announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at revitalizing historic preservation trades education in Michigan. 

This collaborative initiative will offer a series of specialized hands-on workshops, covering essential preservation skills such as historic sash window construction, wood bending techniques, and timber frame engineering.

Funded in part by a grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, this initiative brings together the Historic Preservation Network’s preservation advocacy and the woodworking institute’s nationally recognized expertise in woodworking education to meet the growing need for skilled tradespeople proficient in traditional building methods.

“This partnership represents a major step forward for preservation trades,” stated Luke Barnett, president of the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. “Skilled trades are the backbone of heritage conservation, yet many of these critical skills are at risk of disappearing. By teaming up with MHPN, we are providing accessible, high-quality training opportunities, preparing a new generation of craftspeople to preserve and protect Michigan’s historic architecture.”

Upcoming workshops include:

• Wood Bending: Bend and Form (Aug. 4-8). Participants will learn multiple wood bending methods such as steam bending and vacuum forming, enabling them to produce historically accurate curved components.
• 19th-Century Windows and Doors: Construction & Repair (Aug 11-15). Part of the Thoreau’s Cabin Series, students will build historically accurate sash windows and doors using traditional joinery and glazing techniques.
• Introduction to Timber Frame Engineering (Sept. 19-21). This course combines theory with hands-on practice, focusing on timber frame structures, joint design, and structural testing methods.

“MHPN is proud to partner with SBWI, an institution known for excellence in trade education,” said Brenda Rigdon, executive director of the historic preservation group. “Together, we’re not just preserving historic buildings — we’re preserving the specialized knowledge that makes such preservation possible.”

Courses are open to the public, with registration available at www.mhpn.org and www.sbwi.edu.