Product Catalog

Introducing Preservation Trades to High School Students (2008-08)

A fast, easy and low-cost approach for high school instructors, preservation trade practitioners and preservation organizations to introduce preservation trades in technical high schools.
Comparative Study of Commercially Available Cleaners for Use on Federally-Issued Headstones

This report provides information and progress on the comparative study of commercially available cleaners for federally issued headstones.
Cleaning a Stone Grave Marker (2007-01)

Materials Conservator Jason Church demonstrates how to properly clean a stone grave marker.
Interim Report on Commercially Available Cleaners for use on Federally issued Headstones

NCPTT and the Department of Veteran Affairs, National Cemetery Administration has released the interim report entitled, Comparative Study of Commercially Available Cleaners for use on Federally-issued Headstones.
Development of a Rapid Indicator of Biodeterioration of Historic Stone (2008-09)

2006 NCPTT Grant to Harvard University, "Development of a Rapid Indicator of Biodeterioration of Historic Stone." Biodeterioration plays an important role in the degradation of stone in historic buildings, monuments, and archeological sites.
Getting it out of the Attic: A Creole Preservation Guide (1997-10)

The work of this grant identified private collections and institutional repositories of material culture objects and documents associated with the Louisiana Creole cultural group.
High Definition Documentation of Archaeological Structures (2008-10)

Existing conditions documentation of archaeological structures can be cut by 60% and can improve the accuracy and fidelity of the documentation by using scanning technology. This would optimize valuable human and financial resources for archaeologist and preservation specialist working to save our ‘Vanishing Treasures’.
Testing the Regional Reliability of Spectral Signatures of Archaeological Phenomena (2006-01)

The research reported herein focuses on developing and testing predictive models based on the satellite remote-sensing (SRS) of prehistoric and historic archaeological phenomena. With advances in the resolution of satellite-borne imagery, such as IKONOS, and the availability of software designed to process such imagery, such as ENVI, archaeological predictive modeling is positioned to progress beyond simplistic “indirect” correlational studies involving gross ecological categories or subjective landform designations.
A Paleoclimate Reconstruction for Southwestern Texas Using Oxalate Residue from Lichen as a Paleoclimate Proxy (2000-11)3.

A calcium oxalate rock coating is ubiquitous on limestone surfaces inside dry rock shelters and under rock overhangs within the canyons of the southwestern Edwards Plateau in southwestern Texas.
Advances in Digital Radioscopy for Use in Historic Preservation (2007-05)

In the interest of saving as much historic fabric as possible and not altering or scarring historic materials as a result of investigative probes, architectural conservators look to nondestructive testing methods for the evaluation and identification of materials, conditions and alterations made to structures over time.
Advancing State Historic Preservation Office Geographic Information Systems in the Western United States (1999-08)

This report outlines the efforts of the SHPO offices of New Mexico and Wyoming to implement a common cultural resource database design.
Preserving America’s Landscape Legacy (1996-02)

This video examines the importance of preserving the integrity of America’s historic landscapes.
Biscayne: America's Cultural Heritage Underwater (2004-18)

Funded by NCPTT, Montana Public Television has produced a series of videos that highlights the nation’s underwater archeological treasures and features the preservation work of the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center.
Fire and Ice: America's Cultural Heritage Underwater (2004-19)

Funded by NCPTT, Montana Public Television has produced a series of videos that highlights the nation’s underwater archeological treasures and features the preservation work of the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center.
Ferry of Hope: Ellis Island and US Immigration (2004-21)

Funded by NCPTT, Montana Public Television has produced a series of videos that highlights the nation’s underwater archeological treasures and features the preservation work of the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center.
Dry Tortugas: Searching for the Windjammer Avanti (2004-22)

Funded by NCPTT, Montana Public Television has produced a series of videos that highlights the nation’s underwater archeological treasures and features the preservation work of the National Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center.
USS Arizona: Preserving a War Memorial (2004-23)

Funded by NCPTT, Montana Public Television has produced a series of videos that highlights the nation’s underwater archeological treasures and features the preservation work of the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center.
Secret of Lake Meade: America's Cultural Heritage Underwater (2004-17)

Funded by NCPTT, Montana Public Television has produced a series of videos that highlights the nation’s underwater archeological treasures and features the preservation work of the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center.
An Evaluation of Archeological Applications of Mapping Grade Global Positioning Systems (1999-03)

Collecting and analyzing spatially defined data is a core component of archaeological research and has become increasingly effective with GPS, mapping and GIS hardware and software.
An Evaluation of Supercritical Drying and PEG/Freeze Drying of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood (2007-04)

This study evaluates the physical effects of drying waterlogged archaeological wood using supercritical carbon dioxide as compared to air drying and the polyethlene gylcol (PEG)/freeze drying method.
Analysis of the NFPA Fire Safety Evaluation Systems for Business Occupancies (1997-09)

The NFPA Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) provides a multiattribute approach to evaluating fire safety performance.
Analyzing the Effect of Diethylaminoethanol, an Indoor Air Pollutant, on Traditional Easel Paintings, I (1998-16)

The CCI work is being carried out in two phases, with Phase 1 to establish appropriate analytical procedures for determining the presence and effects of DEAE on paintings, and Phase 2 to analyze the effects of DEAE and conservation treatments on DEAE contaminated paintings.
Analyzing the Effect of Diethylaminoethanol, an Indoor Air Pollutant, on Traditional Easel Paintings, II (1998-17)

The analyses reported here indicate that the IUAM paintings have not been damaged by reaction with DEAE.
Application and Preparation of Limewash Video (2008-07)

This six minute video explains how to prepare and apply limewash.
Application of Advanced Computer Simulation and Visualization to Enhance Cultural Resources Documentation (1997-06)

In the video, the hull of the Civil War warship USS Monitor is recreated digitally. It is then put in simulated physics environments where different aspects of its operation can be studied.
Applying Infrared Thermography for the Purpose of Identifying Concealed Wood Framing Member Type and Subsurface Anomalies with Intended Application Towards Historic Structures (2008-06)

New procedures and protocols were developed relying primarily on previous studies as well as successes achieved throughout the research process. The resulting protocols as well as results are therefore in need of further refinement, however they have provided the proof of concept necessary to continue and expand research into field testing and various wall configurations.
Archaeological Site Revegetation, Organochloride Based Pesticides, PCBS and Their Relationships to Resource Preservation and Protection (1998-15)

Archaeological sites are being lost or significantly degraded due to natural and cultural impacts that have greatest effect upon exposed or unconsolidated surfaces.
Architectural Records Conference and Symposium (2008-03)

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) developed the Architectural Records Symposium: Managing and Preserving Design Records to improve practices for preserving and providing access to architectural records in museums, archives, libraries, and historic sites throughout the country.
Arizona Archaeological Council’s Native Americans and Archaeology Workshop (1994-02)

The workshop focused on oral tradition and archeological interpretation and the role of Native Americans in archeology.
Building Dry Stone Retaining Walls (2002-06)

This video shows how to build small drystone retaining walls from beginning to end; laying out the shape, digging the foundation, determining the wall angle, building the face, packing the back, and leveling the top.
CEFPI: A primer for the renovation/rehabilitation of older and historic schools (2004-16)

Older and historic schools represent an unrecognized asset for school districts.
Classroom Testing of Model Secondary Level Historic Preservation-Based Lesson Plans (2002-04)

The concept for a Preservation Arts High school is an outgrowth of the 1993 symposium sponsored by the WMF that identified the need to develop a model program for sustainable urban preservation.
Comparing Mass Drying and Sterilization Protocols for Water-Damaged Books (2008-04)

Recovery specialists need to have a clear sense of the pros and cons of existing treatment options before they can respond effectively.
Computerizing Arizona’s Cultural Resource Files Implementation Plan (1997-11)

This report represents the “end of the beginning” of a multi-year project to computerize archaeological and historical site files for the state of Arizona.
Computerizing Maryland’s Historic Site Records (1998-21)

This document outlines the Maryland State Historic Preservation Office’s efforts to computerize hard-copy records of historic buildings and districts in Maryland to make these documents more accessible.
Conservation and Art Materials Dictionary (2000-07)

Knowledge of material properties, reactivity and history can be crucial to conservation treatment success and safety.
Control of Formosan Subterranean Termite Infestations Using Baits Containing an Insect Growth Regulator (2002-21)

Baits containing an insect growth regulator, hexaflumuron, were used in the historic Presbytere and the Creole House of the Cabildo, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, to control infestations of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki.
Wooden Artifacts in Cemeteries: A Reference Manual (2007-10)

This project is about saving historic wooden artifacts in cemeteries. Cemeteries are important repositories of local and national history, valued not only for the stories they tell, but also for their emotional and civic connections.
Water Transport Characteristics of Masonry Restoration Mortars (2004-26)

The focus of this project was to investigate test methods for determining water vapor transmission (WVT) rates in mortar and to assign appropriate WVT rates for specific hydraulic and non-hydraulic restoration mortars.
Walls of Stone: How to Build Drystone Walls and Rock Fences (1996-01)

The video is a primary training resource, providing graphic instruction on how to repair, rebuild and relocate stone walls and rock fences.
Vertical Gradients of Pollutant Concentrations and Deposition Fluxes on a Tall Limestone Building (2000-16)

The role of air pollutants in the soiling of a limestone building was investigated by measuring pollutant airborne concentrations and deposition at different heights at the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Vertical Gradients of Pollutant Concentrations and Deposition Fluxes at the Cathedral of Learning (1996-09)

Numerous studies have shown that air pollutants can cause deterioration of sensitive materials. This problem is particularly important for buildings and monuments, where materials are chosen for structural support as well as for their aesthetic value.
Use of Remote Sensing to Evaluate and Monitor the Condition of Prehistoric Earthen Structures (2000-14)

The intent of the proposed research was to use historic aerial photographs to evaluate the effectiveness of using them as a data source to detect and document change in prehistoric earthen structures through time. There was some reason to believe that photogrammetric methods could serve as a basis for detecting changes in such archaeological remains, since they had apparently been used for such purposes by Blank (1985) at the Hopeton earthworks, part of Hopewell Culture National Historic Park in Ohio.
Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Imaging of Worn-Off Hallmarks on Silver Preliminary Results (2004-03)

Hallmarks on silver objects can reveal much about the history of the piece. the name of the silversmith, the date of manufacture, the quality of the metal alloy, as well as other information can be determined form the study of the hallmarks.
Timber Framing: No. 74, December 2004 (2004-14)

Inspired by English design largely from the Welsh Marches, though not exclusively so, the frame was cut by English scribe rule and raised piece by piece using gin pole, shear legs and tackle.
Timber Framing: No. 73, September 2004 (2004-13)

Careful examination of the photo reveals the presence of the large Y-shaped iron yoke typically used by Robert Smith at the junction of the kingpost with the collar beam and hammer beams.
Timber Framing: No. 72, June 2004 (2004-12)

On the cover, view of the cedar roof trusses at the monastery of St. Catherine’s at Mt. Sinai, Egypt, built between 548 and 565 to commemorate the supposed site of the miracle of the burning bush.
Timber Framing: No. 71, March 2004 (2004-11)

In this issue: Timber Framing for Beginners, When Roofs Collide, Historic American Roof Trusses, Queen Post Trusses, Framing the Montbello Pavilion.
Timber Framing: No. 69, September 2003 (2004-10)

On the cover, view of a well-preserved street in Rouen, a town visited by several Guild members following a guided tour of timber-framed buildings in northeastern France. Note trussed wall framing over broad shop windows, slate siding on buildings at the center of the view and the exuberant multiplicity of bracing patterns.
Timber Framing: No. 67, March 2003 (2004-09)

On the cover, hand raising with pike poles at Malabar Farm, Malabar Farm State Park, Mansfield, Ohio, 1994. The heavy strapping fastened across the bent will act as jibs for tackle used later to raise the purlin and wall plates.
The Role of Microorganisms in the Deterioration of Atmospheric Pollutants of Stone Used in Historic Buildings and Monuments (2001-01)

The objectives of this grant were to determine the responses of the microflora to contamination of historic limestone materials with atmospheric pollutants. We also studied the effects of these interactions on the deterioration of the materials.
The Effects of Peroxide Decontamination Reagents on the Chemical and Physical Properties of Cultural Materials (2002-22)

Because of the scale of contamination, gaseous fumigation with chlorine dioxide was proposed as the method of decontamination for the Senate building.
Testing the Energy Performance of Wood Windows in Cold Climates — A Report to The State of Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, Agency of Commerce and Community Development (1996-08)

During rehabilitation of historic buildings, the question of how to treat the windows is inevitably raised. Within the decision-making process for deciding to replace or renovate an existing window, energy consideration should not be the primary criteria, but should not be ignored.
Testing the Energy Performance of Historic Windows in a Cold Climate (1997-16)

A study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of renovating and upgrading an original condition window to the extent that its thermal performance would be equivalent to a window using replacement sash or window inserts.
Teacher’s Heritage Resource Guide (1999-20)

In 1996, the Morgan County Landmarks Society sponsored a graduate intern from the University of Georgia to research historic landscapes. Many resources were utilized to collect as much information as possible about heritage plants, garden sculpture, structures, and garden club activities.
Swelling Mechanism in Clay-Bearing Sandstones (2007-09)

Swelling clays in stone can generate damaging stresses during a wetting or a drying cycle, which leads to deterioration of building stones such as Portland Brownstone.
Survey for State Historic Preservation Offices Regarding Introductory Preservation Education of Local Public Officials (1996-13)

The purpose of the survey was to determine how the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training might facilitate the education of local public officials.
Stone Wall Repair Workshop: Ellsworth Rock Gardens (2007-08)

The Ellsworth Rock Gardens were determined eligible for the National Register in 1998, as an extraordinary and unique American art environment and outstanding example of mid-twentieth century vernacular landscape architecture.
State Historic Preservation Legislation Database (1998-13)

The database contains citations and summaries of all state legislation that specifically references historic preservation, historic properties, archeological sites or culturally significant human burials.
Standardization in Historical Information and Interpretation System Demonstration Project (1998-10)

SHIIPS was designed as an expandable, relational, and searchable database of Ohio’s Lake Erie maritime cultural resources that would be accessible on the World Wide Web from either Macintosh or IBM Platforms.
Standard Practice for Determining the Components of Historic Cementitious Materials (2002-20)

This report presents a review of the literature followed by recommendations based on best practices for the analysis of historic cement-based materials. The report is geared towards the practicing analyst.
Soiling Patterns on a Tall Limestone Building: Changes Over Sixty Years (2000-13)

Soiling of limestone caused by air pollution has been studied at the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus. The Cathedral was constructed in the 1930s during a period of heavy pollution in Pittsburgh, PA.
Simple Book Repair Manual (1995-02)

The web version of the Simple Book Repair Manual was created by members of Preservation Services, Dartmouth College Library.
Shenandoah-Dives Mill HAER, HSA and NDT Workshop (2007-07)

The goal of this project was to disseminate advanced information on historic preservation documentation and assessment utilizing the most “cutting edge” technology available.
Root of the Problem (1998-33)

Neville Agnew of the Getty Conservation Institute speaks about the conservation of the hominid footprints at Laetoli, Tanzania. He lists three primary conservation topics that the general public will care about: Egyptology, dinosaurs, and human ancestry.
Review of the State of the Art of Laser Cleaning in Conservation (1997-01)

Considerable interest, as well as concern, exists within the profession of art and artifacts Conservation regarding the potential improvements which may be brought about by the introduction of laser-based methods of cleaning.
Review of the Literature on the Topic of Acidic Deposition on Stone (1998-09)

It is extremely difficult to determine how much of the deterioration observed on stones is due to “acid rain” since its action is not limited to one mechanism. Rather, it results from the interaction of various mechanisms, many of which also occur in natural weathering.
Retaining America's Dry Stone Heritage (2002-05)

This video documents the repair of damaged drystone walls in the popular Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park.
RESTORE Technical Field Guide on the Health and Environmental Hazards Inherent in Architectural Restoration Materials and Processes (1998-05)

Working in collaboration with the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen, RESTORE developed a prototype workshop on health and environmental hazards inherent in conservation materials and processes.
Resetting a Stone Grave Marker (2007-02)

Materials Conservator Jason Church demonstrates how to properly reset stone grave marker.
Control of Subterranean Termite Populations at San Cristobal and El Morro, San Juan National Historic Site (2003-01)

This publication studies three monitoring systems and efforts to eliminate termites at San Cristobal and El Morro of the San Juan National Historical Site in Puerto Rico.
Coordinate Measurement of Ships and Smallcraft (1999-06)

This manual is meant to help the operator through the measurement of watercraft using the Sokkia total station. The vessels to be measured can vary in size from small boats to full sized ships.
Cost Benefit Analysis of Bridge Degradation (1995-15)

The economic impacts of regional emissions reductions on facilities and materials is difficult to assess. This report documents two approaches to doing for painted steel bridges.
Culture Shock: Fire Protection for Historic and Cultural Property (1995-01)

Boston University produced this training video to raise awareness of fire risks to cultural properties and to provide technical information about fire detection and suppression systems including sprinklers, gaseous agents, and water mist.
Description and Analysis of NAPAP Briquette Surface Chemistry Files (1998-30)

NAPAP researchers exposed limestone and marble briquettes to weathering for months to years at several different sites. They sampled the briquettes and analyzed multiple layers for anion content.
Deterioration and Preservation of Porous Stone Chapel, Monterey, California (1996-04)

Visual inspection of the Chapel indicated that lateral movements, meteoric and ground water, and soluble salts are the main causes of deterioration of the Chapel's facade and walls.
Development and Implication of a Low-Cost Photographic Data Archival System for Artifact Inventory (1996-05)

This report discusses the feasibility and processes necessary to utilize photogrammetric techniques and photogrammetric software in order to be able to gather metric data from softcopy three-dimensional images.
Development and Testing of Organic Coatings for the Protection of Outdoor Bronze Sculpture from Air-Pollutant Enhanced Corrosion -- Phase 1 (2001-09)

Phase 1 of this project used electrochemical characterization methods to evaluate coatings’ corrosion protective performance under conditions that directly emulated exposure to polluted atmospheres.
Development of a Prototypical Historic Fire Risk Index to Evaluate Fire Safety in Historic Buildings (1998-08)

The difficulty of imposing building and fire codes on historic buildings has been a subject of wide spread concern in recent decades.
Development of High-Resolution, Digital, Color and Infrared Photographic Methods for Preserving Imagery on Hopewellian Copper Artifacts (2000-22)

Prehistoric Hopewellian peoples of Ohio (ca. 150 B.C. - A.D. 400) produced fine geometric and representational art that played central roles in their social organization and religious practices.
Development of Nonlinear Documentation Strategies for Incorporating Computerized Solid Modeling in Historical Building Survey (1999-04)

Documentation is central to every preservation project whether it involves recording the presence of a structure about to be lost or preparing evidence for restoring or maintaining existing structures.
Digital Image Analysis of Petrographic Thin Sections in Conservation Research (2004-01)

Traditional thin-section analysis techniques such as tedious manual point counting are time consuming and require numerous measures. The use of visual estimation charts produce results of questionable accuracy.
Digital Photography: Recording, Preserving and Disseminating Archaeological Data (1999-18)

The resulting images constitute a database for three-dimensional modeling and analysis, museum exhibits, video production, and broadcast journalism.
Directory of Analytical and Materials Testing Services for Historic Preservation (1998-06)

There are only a handful of laboratories specialized in, and dedicated to, the study and analysis of cultural property.
Draft Code for Historic Buildings (2002-01)

This document features a comprehensive historic building code, the first of its kind in the nation.
Elimination of Subterranean Termite Populations from the Statue of Liberty (1999-11)

Infestation by the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), was found throughout the two ground floors of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
Evaluating Sites with Late 19th & Early 20th Century Components for Eligibility in the National Register (1996-10)

Late nineteenth and early twentieth century sites are commonly encountered during archaeological surveys in the United States.
Evaluation Of NAPAP Aerometric Data (1996-21)

The National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) started in the early 1980s and has continued more or less to the present. At least parts of the program and resulting data have been inherited by the Materials Research Program of the recently established National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) of the National Park Service.
Examination of Gilded Bronze using Nondestructive Eddy Current Techniques (2001-10)

Eddy current testing methods were used to characterize model gilding layers on bronzes and to make measurements on gilded bronze objects in the Freer Gallery of Art.
Finding and Mapping Buried Archaeological Features in the American Southwest: New Ground-Penetrating Radar Techniques and Three-Dimensional Computer Mapping (1998-04)

New techniques of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) acquisition and computer processing were tested at buried archaeological sites in the American Southwest.
Focus on 2000: A Heritage Education Perspective (1997-08)

"What's happening in heritage education?" This is the question that this survey begins to answer.
GE Research & Development Tech Info Series: Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Imaging of Worn-Off Hallmarks on Silver Preliminary Results (2004-05)

The use of hallmarks on silver has a long history, dating back to at least the sixth century AD.
Glass and Stained Glass Conservation (1998-28)

This video covers a workshop on the conservation and restoration of stained glass.
Ground-Penetrating Radar Techniques and Three-Dimensional Computer Mapping (1998-36)

New techniques of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) acquisition and computer processing were tested at archaeological sites in the American Southwest and found to be highly effective in producing images of buried archaeological features.
Hiprotect at Joshua Tree National Park (1998-18)

PSTU was awarded a grant by NCPTT to install and test HIPROTECT, a prototype archaeological sitemonitoring system designed for a desert environment.
Historic American Timber Joinery - A graphic guide (Jack Sobon) (2004-08)

The six chapters that follow discuss and illustrate the joints in American traditional timber-framed buildings of the past, showing common examples with variations as well as a few interesting regional deviations.
Historic Landscape Resource Manual (2000-18)

This report documents a historic landscape workshop developed to introduce preservation professionals to the identification, documentation, evaluation and treatment of designed, vernacular and rural historic landscapes.
Historic Preservation Training by and for Indian Tribes: Report of a Workshop on Tribal Needs and Priorities (1996-11)

A growing number of Native American tribes are establishing cultural preservation offices and museums. Among their responsibilities is preservation of archeological sites and artifacts.
Historic Preservation: The Next Step; Public Lecture by James Marston Fitch (1996-12)

Dr. James Finch gives a public lecture on preservation.
Historic Resource Surveys and the Internet (1999-10)

This manual teaches communities and neighborhoods how to complete their own historic resource surveys and share that information quickly.
Identification of Unmarked Graves (2008-01)

Near-surface geophysical techniques, including ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetic conductivity, have become primary tools in the detection of unmarked human interments.
Image Recovery of Worn-Off Hallmarks on Silver and Gold Objects (2004-02)

The name of the silversmith, the date of manufacture, the quality of the metal alloy, as well as other information can be determined from the study of the hallmarks.
Influence of Atmospheric Pollutants on Soiling of a Limestone Building Surface (1995-06)

Air pollution has been responsible for increasing the rate of deterioration of many historically and culturally valuable monuments.
Iron Fence Repair Video (2007-03)

Materials Conservator Jason Church demonstrates how to properly repair an iron fence.
Keeping the Boys Busy: The Revival of Incremental, On-Site Design by National Parks (2002-10)

NPS designers produced significant works of Landscape Architecture that were simultaneously influenced by the scheme's evolving form and the emerging native features of the landscape.
Landscapes and Lives (1997-27)

Susan Turner talks about how and why landscapes are and should be preserved.
Load Paths in Historic Truss Bridges (2004-25)

The stiffening effect of existing features on historic truss bridges was examined. 3D analytical models as traditional skeleton structures were compared to models that included the bridge decks.
Lustron On-Line (2008-02)

The pre-fabricated, all-steel Lustron Home was a unique solution to the post- World War II housing crisis.
Manual for the Assessment of Load-Bearing Unreinforced Masonry Structures (2007-06)

The assessment of unreinforced masonry structures is difficult to undertake in practice.
Manual on Conservation Methodology for Historic Buildings and Structures (1997-07)

Herein, basic Conservation and Preservation concepts would be pragmatically explained and illustrated, utilizing, for acclaratory purposes, case studies of preservation projects in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Mechanical Anchor Strength in Stone Masonry (2008-05)

he main objective of this research project is to better understand the failure strength and the modes of failure of different types of mechanical anchor systems in stone masonry.
Methodology Report for a Multimedia Approach to Training Staff in Simple Book Repair (1997-26)

Simple book repair was defined as those repairs meeting the following criteria: the repair could be completed in a relatively short period of time, required a relatively low level of conservation skill and experience, and could be accomplished with available tools and supplies.
Migration of the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division Databases to the World Wide Web (1998-12)

The work identified and developed an economical approach for providing World Wide Web access to information about historic resources developed and maintained by the SHPD.
Museum Lighting Protocols (1998-31)

Museum conservators and the like are well acquainted with the fact that some types of museum exhibits are susceptible to damage caused by exposure to light.
National Register District GIS Project (2001-03)

This project was designed to take data concerning historic districts within the state of Ohio in paper form and convert that information into digital data for inclusion into a GIS system.
Nature of a Whewellite-Rich Rock Crust Associated with Pictographs in Southwest Texas (1999-17)

A whewellite-rich rock crust covers vast areas of limestone inside dry rock shelters and under rock overhangs throughout the Lower Pecos Region in southwestern Texas (USA).
NCPTT Internet Communication Survey Report (1997-25)

The purpose of this survey was to collect data about the use of Internet-based technologies for communication among preservation professionals.
Non-Destructive Imaging of Worn-Off Hallmarks and Engravings from Metal Objects of Art Using Acoustic Microscopy (2004-06)

Investigators from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art undertook this project to determine if worn-off or illegible hallmarks on silver and gold works of art could be imaged using scanning acoustic imaging techniques.
Nondestructive Method for Hardness Evaluation of Mortars (1999-02)

The objective of this study was to develop a test method to measure the hardness of masonry mortars with a pendulum hammer.
Objects Specialty Group Postprints Vol. 9 (2004-04)

Hallmarks on silver and gold objects can reveal much about their history.
Olmsted Research Guide Online (2001-07)

The purpose of this project was to develop a new Internet-accessible database of information about the landscape design records for projects undertaken by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and the Olmsted firm.
Olmsted Research Guide Online (ORGO) Phase 1 (2000-15)

The project team developed a prioritized list of collections to be included in the database and a three-year schedule for data collection and data entry.
Online Information for Preserving Religious Properties (1999-29)

The Information Clearinghouse is comprised of over 7,000 resources on the care and active use of older and historic religious properties culled from a wide variety of sources nationally. Much of the collection features resources which are unavailable elsewhere.
Origin of Whewelite-Rich Rock Crust in the Lower Pecos Region of Southwest Texas (1996-03)

A calcium oxalate (whewellite)-rich crust occurs on exposed limestone surfaces in dry rock and open air shelters in the Lower Pecos region of southwest Texas.
Park Science: New Termite Baiting Technologies for the Preservation of Cultural Resources (2002-09)

Termites are a significant structural pest in the United States, costing the public nearly $1.5 billion in damage each year.
Performance-Based Approaches to Protecting our Heritage (1997-12)

The purpose of this paper is threefold; to emphasize the problem of fire safety for historic buildings, to identify potential for a performance-based approach to this problem, and to discuss development of performance objectives and criteria for heritage properties.
Physical and Chemical Process Of Soiling and Washoff at the Cathedral Of Learning (1998-11)

Sensitive building materials such as calcareous stone are subject to accelerated deterioration by several agents. These may be physical processes such as freeze-thaw cycles, chemical processes such as reaction with sulfur dioxide gas, or biological processes such as attack by microorganisms.
Preservation Basics for Paper-Based Records (1997-02)

Maintaining public records requires judicious management of resources. It compels records custodians to identify simple, practical, cost-effective approaches that can be incorporated into daily routines.
Preservation Economic Impact Model 2.0 (1997-05)

The Preservation Economic Impact Model 2.0 software allows for the calculation of the total economic effects of historic preservation; these encompass both the direct and multiplier effects.
Preservation In Print: Historic Preservation Online - Louisiana Heritage InfoNet - Part 1 (1997-23)

There is growing pressure on preservation educators, administrators, and professionals to find meaningful ways to promote heritage awareness.
Preservation Resource Guide for Public Works Managers (1998-01)

This guide is intended for use by public works managers who find themselves encountering the world of historic preservation.
Research into Protective Coating Systems for Outdoor Bronze Sculpture and Ornamentation II (1999-23)

This research addresses the continuing need for new coating strategies to protect outdoor bronzes from the effects of polluted environments.
Protective Glazing Study (1996-06)

In this study, Inspired Partnerships, a non-profit organization in Chicago, investigated the virtues and liabilities of various protective glazing installations over stained glass.
Readings in Site Discovery and Site Evaluation (1995-14)

This publication contains a number of readings that aid in the decision-making process involved with the discovery and evaluation of archeological sites.
Report for NCPTT on Funding Priorities in Materials Conservation (1996-07)

The AIC polled its membership in May 1996 via a mail-survey to provide an updated and refined list of the most critical needs for research and training in the field of materials conservation.
Research Into Protective Coating Systems for Outdoor Bronze Sculpture and Ornamentation I (1997-03)

The conservation community has expressed general dissatisfaction and frustration in numerous forums over current protective coatings used in the preservation of outdoor bronzes.
PTT Products: Catalog of Publications and Products

This publication contains a partial listing of the products and publications available through the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. Some products are available by download only.
Video Preservation Website: Migration of Historic Video Tape to Digital Video Files (2007-13)

This thorough website was built and designed as a clearinghouse of information on videotape preservation.
Development of Ceramic Reference Materials for Calibration and Quantification of Portable XRF Data (2011-06)

While archaeologists have had some success identifying who made ceramics and where they made them, these techniques relied on removing a sample and complex instrumentation. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) used portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation as a tool to determine the geographic origin of Native American ceramics.
Nanotechnology and Materials Testing: Using Nanoparticles to Tag Consolidant to Determine Depth of Penetration (2011-05)

A research team including conservators from the New York State Bureau of Historic Sites, scientists with the Physics Department of Union College, Schenectady, New York, and scientists from the nanotechnology industry began experimenting with nanoparticles to advance conservation treatments in the field of historic preservation. This collaboration was prompted by a challenging mural conservation project.. The mural suffered from decades of deterioration and multiple failed conservation treatments making the need for anew approach apparent.
Development and Testing of Organic Coatings for the Protection of Outdoor Bronze Sculpture from Air-Pollutant Enhanced Corrosion -- Phase 2 (2001-08)

In 2001, North Dakota State University presented conclusions from the second year of a three year NCPTT funded project on outdoor bronze protective coatings. Coatings investigated include: a fluorocopolymer blended with various acrylics, conductive polymers, BTA pre-treatments, and a very fine titanium dioxide.
Lead Paint and Historic Buildings, Training Manual (2002-07)

In 2000, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) published an NCPTT funded training manual on the subject of lead paint and historic buildings.
Preservation TrainNet: On-Line Training for Local Government Officials, Local Government Commission Members, and their Staff (1999-22)

In 1997, NCPTT supported Goucher College in a research project that evaluated the effectiveness of an online historic preservation training program. The target audience for the tested program was historic preservation commission members.
Replacing Trees in Historic Landscapes (2009-06)

Trees in historic landscapes are often important cultural resources that contribute to the significance and integrity of a property. This video provides guidance on the concepts and techniques of replacing individual trees at historic properties.
Replacing Trees in Historic Landscapes

NCPTT, in cooperation with the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation and the Cane River Creole National Historical Park has finished production of the instructional video “Replacing Trees in Historic Landscapes.”
A Grading Protocol for Structural Lumber and Timber in Historic Structures (2009-01)

This grading protocol is a review of historical wood testing and standards development, wood condition assessment basics, and a query-based wood grading program. The goal of this protocol is to change the typical decision-making process by giving engineers and architects the means to better understand the grading of wood members in relation to building code requirements.
Merging Aerial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Satellite Multispectral Data to Inventory Archaeological Sites (2007-11)

The need is clear for rapid, wide-area, planning level inventories of archaeological sites, which are disappearing rapidly because of development and looting. Inventory makes preservation through monitoring and proactive planning possible.

Successful protocols for the use of sophisticated synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technologies for such inventories in certain environments were formulated recently.
Cultural Landscape of the Upper Tongue River Valley in Rosebud County, Montana (2007-12)

This report is an overview and assessment of the cultural landscape of the Tongue River Valley, its historic themes and cultural resource site types. Designed to accompany other project deliverables (the video documentary and map-based digital archive), the goal of the project is to demonstrate the national, state and local significance of the layers of prehistory and history located in one small corner of southeastern Montana.
Removal of Arsenic and Mercury Contamination in Museums using a Natural Environmentally Benign Chemical (2006-02)

Some natural science specimens and ethnographic artifacts in museums were historically treated with arsenic and mercury salts. This has created an environmental concern for museum workers and the public who may be exposed to these toxins. In addition, museums are frequently being asked to return sacred objects under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
Sourcing Shell and Shell-Tempered Artifacts Using Laser Ablation (2009-02)

This project involved developing a new method for using the chemical content of freshwater mussel shell as a means of sourcing prehistoric, shell-tempered pottery and shell artifacts to their places of origin. By extension, this means that prehistoric trade and exchange networks can be mapped out.

Because each waterway is chemically different to some extent, and because mussels incorporate the chemicals into their shells, it is theoretically possible to identify where shell artifacts or shell-tempered pottery was made by chemically analyzing the shell.
Aerial Thermal Survey of New Philadelphia, Illinois Town Site (2009-03)

New Philadelphia, Illinois was the first town platted and legally registered by an African American in the United States. Founded by Frank McWorter, a former slave, in 1836, this town grew as a demographically integrated community through the late nineteenth century. The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) awarded funding of $14,800 to test the usefulness of low-altitude aerial surveys employing high resolution thermal imaging at New Philadelphia.

The success of this technique will provide an extremely useful resource for applications on numerous similar sites throughout the nation.
Evaluation of Conservation and Preservation Practices in a Southwest Pottery Collection (2009-04)

A variety of materials and methods have been used to preserve ceramic vessels. Many have proven successful, while others are damaging. Monitoring and evaluation of past treatments is a documented research priority in the conservation field. The Arizona State Museum (ASM) has examined, recorded and analyzed the performance of past treatments on 20,000 southwest vessels and a modern storage facility.

This research has afforded the opportunity to look forwards and backwards to identify patterns in archaeological methods, museum management and conservation.
Improved Sol-Gel Consolidants for Stone (2002-24)

The purpose of this project was to develop improved consolidants for restoration of stone damaged by weathering. Conventional consolidants are organic polymers or silica gels, which are simple materials that do not permit matching of a range of properties of the stone.

Later improvement of the suspension procedure resulted in consolidants that are much more stable and fluid. Stone treated with the particle-modified consolidant (PMC) increases dramatically in stiffness and strength. Most impressively in a sodium sulfate test, the PMC provided better protection than a commercial silicate consolidant.
Mechanical Systems in Historic Buildings (1998-20)
This CD-ROM course, BPR 140: Mechanical Systems, is designed to familiarize the student with the plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and insulation systems in historic buildings. The department recognizes that each of these trades is a career in itself and that this course can't possibly teach you everything about these trades. What this course does attempt to do is to:
1. Provide a working vocabulary in each of the areas.
2. Discuss issues in each of the areas that specifically deal with historic preservation.
3. Establish a beginners level understanding of how each of these areas work in a building and provide some useful information on how to diagnose and remedy simple problems.
4. Present an historical perspective on the development of each of these trades.
3D Digital Rock Art Documentation and Preservation Workshop (2009-05)

Cultural Heritage Imaging developed a comprehensive training program for 3D digital rock art documentation and preservation, based on state-of-the-art computational photography techniques that are emerging as the next generation of cultural heritage tools for use both in the field and in museums.
Priorities for Natural History Collections Conservation Research: Results of a Survey of the SPNHC Membership (2001-02)

The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) is a multidisciplinary international organization composed of individuals and institutions who are interested in the development and preservation of natural history collections. Under the direction of the SPNHC Conservation Committee and its Research Subcommittee, the project coordinator surveyed the SPNHC membership by mail to develop an updated list of priorities for natural history collections conservation research. This report summarizes background information, development and implementation of the survey instrument, results and data analysis of this project.
Rock Art Image in Fern Cave, Lava Beds National Monument, California: Not the A.D. 1054 (Crab Nebula) Supernova (1997-13)

The visual manifestation of the recent Hale-Bopp comet reminds us how telling are those rare objects which suddenly flare in the sky. One can suppose ancient people living by natural light were more compellingly struck by the sight of comets and supernovae, and understandably researchers seek images of them in the shapes of rock-art motifs. An absolute dating contradicts that supposition in respect of a presumed image of the visible supernova of AD 1054.
Delivering Archeological Information Electronically (2000-02)

Like archeological information on paper, the archeological information we get in digital form must be both appropriate and trustworthy. The forms we can obtain must be the right ones for the job — cost effective and usable. At the same time, what we receive — capta, information, knowledge or summary — must be dependable, resulting from transformations that we can understand and evaluate.
What’s Out There: An Interactive Catalog of Designed American Cultural Landscapes (2010-01)

Spanning more than two centuries of American landscape design, What’s Out There is the only free, Wiki‐style database focused on the nation’s landscapes and landscape features, and is searchable by landscape name, type, and/or style, landscape architect and/or designer, and/or location. It is designed for use by tourists and heritage travelers; local residents; park, garden and landscape aficionados; historians, landscape architects, planners and other specialists; and the general public.
I-Sites: An Online Database and GIS for Iowa Archaeology (2003-02)

I-Sites contributes to information management in historic preservation in Iowa by resolving the all-too-often-overlooked need to keep preservation-related databases current with existing and ever-growing knowledge. It empowers users to record new archaeological data, giving those who most urgently need the data an active role in keeping it current. It provides government agencies, planners, professional researchers, educators and t he general public with current information about Iowa's archaeological record while ensuring the security and confidentiality of the Iowa Site File.
Plasma extraction and AMS 14C dating of rock paintings (1997-14)

We developed a plasma-chemical technique to remove carbon from rock paintings. This extraction is followed by accelerator mass spectrometric analysis of the 14C to yield direct estimates of the ages of rock paintings. We have demonstrated use of the technique on charcoal as well as iron and manganese pigmented paintings. Unfortunately, there are no rock paintings made with inorganic pigments that have accurately known ages. That means there are no primary standards for checking the accuracy and validity of our technique on this type of samples. To compensate for this, known age samples (charcoal and Third International Radiocarbon Intercomparison wood) were dated: these support the general validity of this technique.
Fourier Transform Raman Spectrographic Studies Of Prehistoric Rock Paintings from Big Bend (1999-14)

A resurgence of interest in prehistoric rock art has occurred recently owing to advances in analytical techniques that provide information on the composition of ancient paints and the natural man"ices surrounding the paints. The greatest problem in studying ancient rock art was the inability to affiliate the artifacts to specific cultures. which severely limited our knowledge of the origin and role of art within prehistoric societies. It is now possible to date directly many pictograph paints if organic matter was utilized in the original paint mixture and residual organics remain in the paint, or if the paints are incorporated with natural rock crusts such as calcium oxalate or silica skins that are datable. Furthermore, it is now realized that inorganic constituents of pictograph paints can be used to compare motifs, themes and painted panels based on chemical characteristics of the paints, in addition to providing information regarding the substances available and utilized by early people for their art.
A Magnetic Susceptibility Logger for Archaeological Application (2000-09)

prototype instrument developed for archaeological application logs volume magnetic susceptibility down a small-diameter (ca. 2.2 cm) core-hole made with a push-tube corer. Measurements can be made rapidly, approximately 10 times faster than collecting samples either by coring or from an exposed section, to depths of 1.6 m below the surface.
Preservation Week Report: The High School for the Preservation Arts Project (1998-23)

The overall goal is to develop a model secondary school curriculum dedicated to the training of skilled preservation artisans that will include an academic component and an industry/government sponsored field internship component. Upon graduation the students will have earned both a New York State Regents diploma and the equivalent of a one-year internship in their chosen restoration building trade.
Teacher's Guide to Lead Paint and Historic Buildings (2002-08)
This material provides guidance for a successful presentation of the course. The guide is organized, along with the Training Manual, in the order of the presentation of the material. The course is designed to be presented over the course of two days.

The course material is presented in three formats:
- Class presentation - a classroom lecture format.
- Exercises - an interactive format.
- Workstations - a demonstration format.
Creation of a Web-accessible Database of the Comparative Plant Fiber Collection (2010-02)

This database of micrographs of textile fibers acquired through the use of multiple microscopic techniques contains 145 collections with 1404 individual files, and requires 23GB of storage space. Each file contains a high resolution image with text fields that delineate image location and size, image collection information, microscopy technique and details of the features presented in the image. Micrographs are shown of single fibers and fiber groups examined using brightfield, darkfield, polarized light, and differential interference contrast techniques; the sequences of images provides information complementary to the others.
Ft. Livingston, Grand Terre Island Field Report (2010-03)

NCPTT staff visited Fort Livingston, Grand Terre Island, on June 16, 2010 to evaluate the condition of the structure and the amount of oil contamination; to conduct field tests on cleaning methods; and to collect oil, water, and oil-contaminated sand samples for further testing in the laboratory. The amount of oil and area of contamination were documented in field notes and through associated photographs.
Preservation of Historic Iron and Steel in Bridges and Other Metal Structures (2010-04)

In the restoration of historic metal structures engineers and preservationists are often confronted with the decision to repair or replace historic metals. The Preservation of Historic Iron and Steel in Bridges and Other Metal Structures project demonstrated an alternative to the destruction of important elements of the historic fabric and addressed the urgent need for greater awareness and more widespread expertise in preservation techniques for historic metals.
Evaluation of Ca(OH)2 Nano-Particle Treatment of Cordage/Basketry (2011-01)

The major goals of this project involved: laboratory set-up; synthesis of Ca(OH) 2 nano- particles; cordage sample acquisition; development of a research design; preliminary testing of solutions and solvents; mechanical and aging studies; analytical characterization; imaging and data collection; and report preparation. The project has demonstrated that aqueous dispersions of calcium hydroxide nano-particles are not an appropriate treatment for archaeological cordage because the cordage swells when treated with water. The study has shown that 2-propanol as a carrier solvent for Calcium hydroxide nano-particles does not swell cordage fibers or inhibit the migration of nano-particles into the matrix, while increasing the pH of the cordage. The results of this funded project suggest that calcium hydroxide nano-particle solutions in isopropyl alcohol is promising as a conservation treatment for archaeological cordage. This study has also confirms that storage that offers the most confinement and immobilization will further reduce damage from handling.
Controlling Salt Damage (2011-02)

Growth of salt crystals within the pores of stone can cause serious damage. Salt may enter with ground water or be created by reaction of the minerals in the stone with atmospheric pollutants. As water evaporates from the pores of the stone, the salt concentration rises and the crystals grow until they approach the pore walls. If the salt came into direct contact with the stone, then growth would stop and there would be no stress. However, in most cases there is a repulsive force between the salt and mineral surfaces, so that they do not touch; instead, the salt remains surrounded by film of solution that encourages it to grow and exert pressure on the pore walls. The goal of this study was to develop a chemical treatment for limestone that would eliminate the repulsion, and thereby prevent salt from applying pressure on the pore walls. On the basis of screening tests, the polymer chosen for testing was polyacrylic acid with low molecular weight (~5000). Potassium hydroxide is used to raise the pH of the polymer solution to 7-8, and the solution is equilibrated with calcium carbonate before being introduced into the stone, where the polymer adsorbs on the pore walls. When crystals of sodium sulfate are induced to grow within the stone, the damage is strongly reduced by the coating in most cases. To date, there are problems of reproducibility with the treatment that are not fully understood. Possible explanations are discussed and additional research directions are proposed.
Community Connections (2009-07)

In order to preserve our communities for tomorrow, we must educate students today. Community Connections is an innovative, multi-tiered set of activities that involves students, teachers, families, and schools working together to learn about the places in which they live. The program activities have been successfully tested in classrooms around the country and the teacher and student responses have been overwhelmingly positive. We believe that these activities, which build and secure a deeper understanding and appreciation of our heritage, can be integrated into several areas of the curriculum, as well as offering unique and varied after-school and camp program ideas.
Turf Management at National Parks and Other Historic Sites (2011-03)

Historic sites reflect a particular time period and cultural use. These landscapes are composed of historic features such as buildings, trees, fencing, and walkways that date to an historic period. Understanding and implementing appropriate maintenance practices to preserve a site’s historic character and its individual features are essential components of a maintenance worker’s job. This video addresses turf management techniques designed to preserve these sites.
NCPTT helps to advance state of the art tools for marine archeologists

The adaptation of existing imaging sonars for use on underwater sites will have widespread applicability to the nation’s thousands of submerged archaeological sites located in turbid waters that make detailed archaeological documentation impractical. LCMM has prototyped the feasibility and methodologies for this technology using a Blue View DF900-2250 Dual Frequency Miniature Multibeam Imaging System on sites in Lake Champlain.
Breaking the Virtual Barrier: A Model Program for Preservation Trades Education and Training Utilization (2011-04)

The Breaking the Virtual Barrier project provided a unique opportunity for Jefferson Community and Technical College to advance the knowledge base in providing instruction in the construction trades. The project provided the opportunity to expand an existing partnership with the Dry Stone Conservancy and pilot unique ways to use emerging technology to provide instruction in the field of preservation trades training.

While the original project involved utilizing Interactive Television as the means for broadcasting preservation trades courses, ultimately wireless digital technology was used for implementation. A one week dry stone masonry course was conducted at two college sites some fifty miles apart. The course was broadcast in real time to both sites simultaneously. The Master Instructor alternated sites each day so students at each site had the experience of interacting with him since this was a pilot project.

The implementation of the project presented its share of technological challenges, but none were impossible to solve. Future projects will benefit from the lessons learned by all parties in the process. At the end, the project was successful in that we were able to use wireless digital technology to transmit real time video and audio to both sites making the instructional experience interactive. It is then possible to take the instructors expertise and broadcast this to students in remote locations.
Limpieza Básica para Monumentos (2007-01)

Hola, en este video le estaremos enseñando los procedimientos básicos para limpiar lápidas de piedra. Hay dos cosas que se deben de recordar: lo primero es que siempre hay que asegurarse de la seguridad personal y lo segundo es no hacer daño a la lápida como tal.
African-American and Creole Traditions Surrounding Death in the Cane River Region

The purpose of this project is to capture the traditions surrounding burial practices of African-American and Creole community members in the Cane River area to preserve this information for future generations.
Effect of Water on Lower Pecos River Rock Paintings in Texas (1998-22)

In 1998, NCPTT partially funded a research project that involved an investigation of rock paintings in the Lower Pecos River area of Texas. Rock Art Research, the journal of the Australian Rock Art Research Association (AURA) and the International Feder...
Proposal to Reduce the Exposure to Light of Museum Objects Without Reducing Illuminance (2000-10)

"Many types of museum exhibits are susceptible to damage caused by exposure to light, and current recommendations for museum lighting include avoidance of nonvisible radiant power (UV and IR), limitation of illumination level, and restriction of exposure duration.This article investigates the notion that the visual satisfaction provided by incandescent sources could be matched with significantly less irradiance by illumination composed of three spectral bands corresponding to red, green, and blue light."
Controlled Archaeological Test Site Facility in Illinois: Training and Research in Archaeogeophysics (1999-31)

A Controlled Archaeological Test Site (CATS) facility has been constructed in Champaign, Illinois, by the Cultural Resources Research Center at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, with funding provided by the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. The test site will be utilized for research and training with geophysical applications in archaeology.
Development of a Technique for Buried Site Detection (2003-05)

This project has advanced a geophysical approach for identifying buried archaeological sites that combines recently developed down-hole magnetic capabilities with laboratory soil magnetic techniques. Down-hole magnetic susceptibility measurements allow the effective location of paleosols while soil magnetic studies are used to evaluate whether an associated human occupation is likely. This combined geophysical approach has the potential to locate and explore buried archaeological deposits across varied environments in a cost-effective, efficient, and relatively non-invasive manner.
U.S. Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage Beyond the Territorial Sea: Problems and Prospects (2000-23)

U.S. treatment of underwater cultural heritage beyond the territorial sea is analysed in light of Law of the Sea principles and the UNESCO Draft Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Article published in 2000.
Partners in Prosperity: The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in New Jersey (1998-25)

Published in 1998 by the New Jersey Historic Trust, Partners in Prosperity: The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in New Jersey is a product of NCPTT funded research. Available for download on this page, the booklet summarizes results of Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation, a study conducted by the Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers University and overseen by the New Jersey Historic Trust.
Development and Testing of Organic Coatings for the Preservation of Outdoor Bronze Sculpture from Air-Pollutant Enhanced Corrosion - Phase 3 (2002-18)

In 2002, researchers from North Dakota State University received funding from the NCPTT to study protective coatings for outdoor bronze sculpture and ornamentation. Previous research had shown that the most protective coatings tend to be impervious to conventional solvent removal techniques and that standard mechanical removal methods damage bronzes and their patinas. This study evaluates new solvent removable coatings and compares their protection to the currently used systems.
The North American Database and Website of Archaeological Geophysics (NADAG) (2000-21)

"The North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics (NADAG) is a database and website under continuous development that aims to promote use, education, communication, and a knowledge base of the practice of archaeological geophysics in North America...
Infrared and Raman Users Group (IRUG) Launches an Online Searchable Spectral Database and Bibliography (2003-03)

In 2003, the Infrared and Raman Users Group received NCPTT support to develop and implement an online collaborative database and bibliography of high quality infrared reference spectra. Currently, the database contains over 1250 spectra of oils, waxes, natural and synthetic resins, dyes, pigments, proteins, gums, and minerals.
Protection of Metallic Monuments from Biodeterioration (2003-04)

In 2003, NCPTT supported research that studied biodeterioration on metallic monuments. Ralph Mitchell, Professor at Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, employed electrochemical impedence spectroscopy to analyze the susceptibility of monument coatings to degradation by indigenous microflora activity.
Application of Complementary Geophysical Survey Techniques in the Search for Fort Louis at Old Mobile: A Comparative Case Study (2004-20)

In 2004, NCPTT supported the Friends of Mobile with funding to enable the application of two geophysical survey methods: electrical resistance and ground penetrating radar. Building on past research, a goal of the project was comparing the applicability of five remote sensing methods through ground truthing test excavations.
A Polymeric Treatment for Controlling Salt Damage to Stone and Brick (2011-07)

A recent NCPTT grant assisted a team from Princeton University's Civil and Environmental Engineering Department to propose an approach on controlling salt damage. The goal of the project was to create a method for protecting stone from crystallizing salts by modifying the surface chemistry of the stone.Although frost and acid rain are more familiar problems in many areas, salt growth is actually the most serious cause of deterioration of monuments in the Mediterranean basin and elsewhere.
Masonry History Integrity: An Urban Conservation Primer (2011-08)

This textbook has been developed as a primer and practical teaching manual for young people interested in construction, masonry preservation, green technology, building repair and the conservation of the urban environment. Each chapter is built around a particular masonry material, such as mortar, brick, stone, or stucco; or an aspect pertaining to the masonry trade, such as maintenance or green building technology.
Development of a Micro-fading Tester with Near-UV Capability (2011-09)

Paul Whitmore, director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Art Conservation Research Center (ACRC), has developed a portable device that can be used to determine how exposure to visible light and ultraviolet (UV) rays affect the colors on a work of art, providing vital information that can be used to better preserve the artwork.
Improved Method for Repairing Wooden Structural Beams in CCC NHL District (2011-10)

The existing method for repairing the viga ends is irreversible and requires large quantities of specially formulated epoxy resin which is difficult to control and cannot be renewed without further damage to the historic fabric. The new methodology eliminates the use of any chemicals and decreases repair time by up to 75 percent.
Mourning Glory: Preserving Historic Cemeteries (2011-11)

The first impulse in cemetery preservation efforts is usually to protect or treat the grave markers. After all, they are the obvious historic resource. But the condition of the stones is often indicative of a neglected landscape that is contributing to the deterioration of those historic resources.
Colloquium on the Development of Curricula in Heritage Preservation Engineering (2011-12)

The School of Engineering at the University of Vermont (UVM) has been exploring the addition of heritage preservation engineering modules to its existing curriculum. NCPTT and the Getty Conservation Institute hosted a colloquium in June 2009 to identify curricular additions for a program focused on the engineering evaluation and remediation of heritage structures. The colloquium focused on the quantitative techniques and methodologies applied to the engineering evaluation and remediation of heritage structures, and the challenge of ensuring that students acquire the competencies necessary to address the challenges of the market.