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Agenda

Spring 2008 Meeting Preservation Technology and Training Board National Park Service Draft Agenda NCPTT Headquarters Lee H. Nelson Hall Natchitoches, LA

Monday, April 14, 2008
	PTT Board arrives in Natchitoches
3:00 PM	Orientation for new Board members
6:30 PM	DINNER – optional dutch treat dinner at The Tin House
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 – Conference Room, NCPTT
	BREAKFAST – on your own
9:00 AM	Call to Order, Welcome, Introduction of Guests, Opening Remarks, Certification of Meeting, Agenda, Logistics, Approval of Minutes Judy Bense, Chair Jon Smith, Former Designated Federal Official (DFO) Introduction of Robert Sutton, new DFO Kirk Cordell, Executive Director
9:15 AM	NPS National Report: Cultural Programs Status, Budget Outlook, Policy Trends Mr. Sutton
9:45 AM	State of the National Center Mr. Cordell
10:15 AM	FY2007 Budget Update Kevin Ammons, Administrative Officer
10:30 AM	BREAK – catered
10:45 AM	Partners Report Steve Horton, VP & Dean, Northwestern State University Laura Gates, Superintendent, Cane River Creole NHP Nancy Morgan, Former Exec Director, Cane River NHA New Executive Director, Cane River NHA
11:15 AM	PTT Grants: FY08 Application Process & Awards Mary F. Striegel, Chief, Materials Research David Morgan, Chief, Archeology & Collections Andy Ferrell, Chief, Architecture & Engineering
11:45 AM	Heritage Education Board Discussion with Christine Faith
12:15 PM	LUNCH – catered on the 2nd floor of Nelson Hall
1:15 PM	Historic Landscapes Board Discussion with Debbie Smith
1:45 PM	Materials Research Board Discussion with Mary Striegel
2:15 PM	Archeology and Collections Board Discussion with David Morgan
2:45 PM	Architecture and Engineering Board Discussion with Andy Ferrell
3:15 PM	Strategic Plan Mr. Ferrell Dr. Morgan Mrs. Smith Dr. Striegel
3:45 PM	BREAK – catered
4:00 PM	Preserve America: Building a Preservation Clearinghouse Mr. Cordell Jeffrey Guin
4:45 PM	Wrap-up of Day and Resolutions
5:00 PM	Adjourn for day
5:15 PM	PTT Board Lecture – 2nd floor Nelson Hall Jonathan Spodek, Assistant Professor, Ball State University
6:15 PM	End of Lecture; free time until dinner
7:00 PM	RECEPTION & BUFFET NSU President’s House, hosted by Dr. & Mrs. Randy Webb
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 – Conference Room, NCPTT
	BREAKFAST – on your own
9:00 AM	The Pocantico Conference on Preservation and Sustainability Robert Silman, Chairman Emeritus (via conference phone) Who from the Board and Staff are going? Our cooperative effort with NTHP. The list of invited guests. Will there be a facilitator? Will there be a keynote speaker? Who will work with me on getting the program together? This will require assigning homework to the participants as well as organizing the agenda. Defining our goals and those of NTHP. Deciding upon what the “deliverables” will be and how they will be disseminated to the world.
10:30 AM	BREAK – catered
10:45 AM	Board Comment: Research Program Dr. Bense Mr. Cordell
11:15 AM	Board Comment: Training Program Dr. Bense Mr. Cordell
11:45 AM	Wrap-up and Resolutions
12:00 PM	Adjourn; End of Official Board Business
	LUNCH – on your own
Please sign your travel vouchers before you leave so we can reimburse you more quickly!

Archeology & Collections

NCPTT’s Archeology & Collections program seeks to enhance the preservation of archeological sites, landscapes, materials, and collections through research, grants, and partnerships.

Budget constraints required the A&C program to take a more focused approach to the range of initiatives presented in prior board meetings. The program was obliged to defer the geoarchaeology workshop, the mound chronology project, and the comparative cartography project. The proposed “Technologies of Interpretation” workshop was scaled back in an exciting new direction, as is discussed below. Despite cautionary budget planning for the upcoming fiscal years, the November 2007 to April 2008 interval was a productive one for the program. Highlights include:

• broadcasting its first webinar
• receiving numerous and solid PTTGrants proposals
• co-sponsoring a productive international workshop
• arranging Prospection in Depth summer training in 2008
• revising its PTTGrants research priority
• continuing to increase program visibility through outreach

Training

Disseminating information is an important component of NCPTT’s work:

High Definition Documentation in Archaeology Webinar

NCPTT assisted the Kacyra Family Foundation’s CyArk Network and Texas Tech University with the dissemination of a six-hour webinar split over two days. The webinar focused on high definition documentation methods, focusing principally on 3D laser scanning, high dynamic range panoramic photography, and photogrammetry. Mesa Verde was the test case. Some 90 people from around the globe watched the webinar.

Louisiana Archaeology Week Activity Venue

NCPTT hosted one of the statewide activities celebrating Louisiana’s Archaeology Week. Visitors toured the facility and listened to a lecture on NCPTT’s innovative approach to teaching GIS, GPS, and geophysics.

Prospection in Depth

NCPTT has signed a Project Agreement with the Presidio Trust to host Prospection in Depth 2008. This year’s format is a week in length, and NCPTT is going to explore the efficacy of ground truthing select anomalies in advance of the course, so that the open exposures can be used as teaching objects.

Remote Site Surveillance

Coordination continues with major federal land management agencies to bring together a working group of experts in cultural resources and law enforcement. The planned outcome will be to discuss how to better share information and resources between agencies.

Technology for Archaeological Interpretation

Due to budget constraints the planned 1-week workshop is being redesigned in a cutting edge medium: podcasts. NCPTT is hosting a series of podcasts on technologies of interpretation. Each podcast features a single technology and will be narrated by internationally recognized experts on that interpretive technique. Speakers who have agreed to participate at present include John Loomis (CyArk), who will speak on high definition documentation; Graeme Earl (Univ. of Southampton), who will discuss 3-D modeling; and Ruth Tringham (Univ. of California-Berkeley), who will present Second Life and multimedia approaches to interpretation.

Heritage Values: The Past in Contemporary Society

NCPTT provided critical funding for Hamline University and NPS’ Southeast Archaeological Center to develop an international preservation policy workshop which took place in November at Cumberland Island National Seashore. A session based on the meeting was held in March 2008 at the Society for American Archaeology meeting in Canada. Other expected outcomes include a scheduled session at the summer 2008 meeting of the World Archaeological Congress in Ireland, a website and social media outlet for heritage values issues, the formal creation of a Heritage Values Working Group through SAA, and the publication of the workshop proceedings as an edited volume.

Outreach

Program visibility continues to improve, as evidenced by the surge in significant archaeological grant proposals witnessed this year. Outreach is one of the key ways in which visibility is achieved, and the A&C program engaged in a variety of outreach activities ranging from fielding public inquiries to professional service. Some of the new outreach highlights include the appointment of the Archeology & Collections Program Chief, Dr. David W. Morgan, to the Register of Professional Archaeologist’s Continuing Education Committee, his participation as a review panelist for a federal granting agency, and the proposed co-hosting of the Heritage Values Working Group website with the World Archaeological Congress.

Research

In-house research is integral to NCPTT’s mission. Major ongoing endeavors include:

Bone Consolidation Techniques

Currently on hold between summers, the A&C program has set the stage to advance this project by seeking out a student intern with conservation experience. Ms. Megan Smith, a graduate student in archaeological conservation at Texas A&M University, will join NCPTT in May. She brings to the project a general background in artifact conservation, as well as familiarity with issues of bone consolidation.

This graphic, by Laura Lilley, illustrates all bone consolidant comparative tests that she could identify last summer. Megan Smith, of Texas A&M, will pursue this research agenda further.

XRF of Colonoware

The A&C and MRP programs have drafted a Cooperative Agreement with St. Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research (Dutch Antilles) and the College of William and Mary to investigate the utility of portable XRF for ceramic sourcing. St. Eustatius has agreed to provide access to an ideal control sample of low-fired earthenwares, as well as comparative material and samples from island clay sources. William and Mary provide the background case study on sourcing and Caribbean economics of the 18th century, via a master’s thesis project. NCPTT provides the XRF equipment and analytical expertise.

Shown at left is a copper cutout of a hand excavated in 1939 from the Gahagan Mounds site by Clarence Webb. The Louisiana State Museum and the Louisiana Division of Archaeology are concerned about their preservation status and requested assistance from NCPTT. The A&C and MRP programs assisted them by using portable X-ray fluorescence to identify the basic elemental composition of the hand and other artifacts. The museum plans to use the data to develop a conservation treatment plan with a professional conservator.

Revised Research Priority

A Research Priority Committee met in December 2007 to assess and revise several key research priorities. The archaeologically-focused priority implemented in 2006 has been revised. Originally the priority stated that NCPTT focused its grants program by courting proposals to “develop innovative techniques in dating, monitoring, analysis, and remote sensing of archeological sites and artifacts.” This has been revised to state: “investigate minimally invasive techniques to inventory and assess cultural resources.”

Grants

Since November 2007 three grants have formally concluded, adding solid deliverables to NCPTT’s repertoire of preservation technology resources. One of the projects is Doug Comer’s work to develop image analysis protocols for commercial aerial and satellite data that make rapid, wide-area survey work more efficient. A second is John Loomis’ and Glenn Hill’s high definition documentation training series, which culminated in a webinar. And the third is Chere Jiusto’s ethnographic case study showing the power of integrating GPS, site forms, and photographs as a documentation method. The latter resulted in a Montana Public Television documentary, available as DVDs. Four grants remain active, with deliverables already appearing in the form of four publications on wooden church steeples. NCPTT looks forward to watching these grantees’ progress. Additionally, the 2008 PTTGrants process yielded 63 complete proposals, 22 of which were assigned to the A&C program for administration. Five of these advanced to the National Panel for review on March 11, 2008. Of those, two were selected for funding, but only one could be recommended to the Director because of budget constraints. Crorey Lawton, of Tulane University, has been recommended for funding to conduct the project, “New Technology, New Opportunities: Development of a National Chert Characterization Database.”

Architecture & Engineering

NCPTT’s Architecture & Engineering program encourages research and partnerships with organizations and institutions working to advance preservation technology for buildings and other structures.

Projects

Preserving Coastal Forts: An NPS Workshop

The Center partnered with the Historic Preservation Training Center, the Cultural Resources Division of the Southeast Regional Office of NPS and Fort Sumter National Monument to develop, market and create online registration for the workshop. The Preserving Coastal Forts workshop used examples, illustrated presentations, and field demonstrations to stimulate discussion and identify “best practices” treatments that have the potential for broader application to different styles and types of masonry coastal fortifications. The workshop was held at the Fort Sumter National Monument in Fort Moultrie, S.C., April 8-10. Andy Ferrell and Kirk Cordell attended.

Trades Training

Kirk Cordell and Andy Ferrell met with Dr. Murphy, Superintendent of the Natchitoches Parish School Board, and members of the parish school board to discuss possible collaboration to develop a trades training program for area high schools. Building on the Brooklyn High School of the Arts model, the partners would develop a curriculum tailored to the needs of Natchitoches students and take advantage of the cultural resources available in and around the City of Natchitoches.

Andy Ferrell and Christine Faith, NCPTT Heritage Education coordinator, participated in a Preservation Trades High School Curriculum Summit to discuss, develop and implement a framework for facilitating traditional trades training in high schools. This meeting was funded through a cooperative agreement with NCPTT. Participants discussed the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of programs, but primarily focused on the models in place at the Brooklyn School of the Arts (BHSA) and the Randolph Career Technical Education Center. The BHSA program was developed by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and was originally supported by NCPTT. The Randolph program features an “under the radar” approach to integrating traditional skills training into existing courses.

As a result of the meeting, representatives from NJIT and the Randolph School are discussing working together to test the teacher preparation program developed by NJIT (supported through an existing cooperative agreement between NCPTT and NJIT).

US/ICOMOS Cooperative Agreement: Internship and Preservation Technology Research

US/ICOMOS and NCPTT are developing an annual awards program that will serve as an incentive for graduate students to adopt thesis topics related to major needs in the field of historic preservation technology. NCPTT and US/ICOMOS have had initial discussions regarding the awards program, which will be implemented under the National Center’s new Cooperative Agreement with US/ICOMOS.

US/DOCOMOMO Cooperative Agreement

NCPTT has drafted a cooperative agreement with the United States committee of the International Working Party for the Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement (DOCOMOMO International). The cooperative agreement will provide a framework for cooperation in the development of research and training related to the preservation needs of modern era resources.

APT Cooperative Agreement: Preservation Technology Research Cooperative Agreement

NCPTT is working with APT to develop and disseminate an enhanced preservation technology training program that forwards the missions of both organizations. The first planned activity is to develop a Nondestructive Evaluation Workshop that will be offered twice in 2008. Based on an NDE workshop that APT previously offered, the first workshop will be offered in Charleston, S.C., on May 16-17. The workshop will provide guidance in the evaluation and rehabilitation of historic structures. The two-day workshop is intended for graduate engineers, practicing engineers who are not familiar with the subject area, and technically oriented professionals from other disciplines. The programs are divided between classroom time and hands-on field sessions. Additional partners for the Charleston event include the APT Southeast Regional Chapter and Drayton Hall. The team has begun planning for a second training event to be held in the fall on the west coast.

LSU Cooperative Agreement: Innovative Documentation Strategies

NCPTT is working with the Louisiana State University School of Architecture to develop and test a methodology to use geospatial digital video documentation technology to efficiently survey historic buildings and landscapes pre- and post- disaster. Developing such technology will enable planners and others to better assess risks to historic resources, plan effective mitigation strategies and improve disaster response. Andy Ferrell, Barrett Kennedy of LSU and Deidre McCarthy of the NPS Heritage Documentation Program presented current progress at the National Trust annual conference in St. Paul, Minn., October 2-6.

Natchitoches Architectural Survey/Graduate Assistantship

Belinda Diehl is part of NCPTT’s effort to give something back to our host community. She is continuing the Natchitoches Architectural Survey and has been working in the Natchitoches National Historic District with hopes to complete interior streets of the district by the end of April. The survey is a GIS-GPS based survey using ArcGIS software and Trimble GPS units to collect data. She completed the revision of the Natchitoches Architectural Survey Guide, which is ready for review. She also assisted in formatting limewash data for the NCPTT website. This data has been approved and is waiting to be uploaded.

Training

Environmental Adaptations in Louisiana Buildings Workshop

Andy Ferrell and Sarah Jackson are working with Eddie Cazayoux of EnvironMental Design Gene Cizek and Mark Thomas of Tulane University and Barrett Kennedy of Louisiana State University to develop a workshop on environmental adaptations of traditional buildings. The workshop will include an introduction to southern Louisiana and Gulf coast climate; survey of vernacular architecture from Native American to French colonial to present; basic principals of sustainable design (materials, orientation, heat transfer, etc.); techniques and examples of sustainable restoration/renovation work. The workshop will be held in Lafayette in early fall to accommodate student schedules and will be two day in length with trips into the field.

Limewash Workshop and Video

Based on NCPTT’s research on the durability of limewashes, Andy Ferrell and Sarah Jackson are developing a training workshop and instructional video that will showcase the Center’s limewash expertise. The workshop will present the Center’s research on traditional and modified limewashes and provide hands on training in preparing and applying this finish. A final location has not been determined for the workshop and video.

Consultations

Limewash

Sarah Jackson responded to numerous inquires from homeowners in New Orleans with questions about applying limewash to their historic structures. Her contact information has been passed on by grant administrators for the Road Home Program she met while manning the booth in the exhibition hall at Traditional Building and Exhibition in New Orleans.

Front Street Bricks

NCPTT was contacted by the contractors for Progressive Construction for suggestions on cleaning the bricks removed from Front Street in Natchitoches. The bricks were removed to enable work beneath the street and will be laid down as the final step of the project. NCPTT passed on information for several companies that manufacture cleaners for use on historic bricks, contact information for conservators that specialize in cleaning historic bricks, and TPS Preservation Briefs that address this subject.

Melrose Plantation

Andy Ferrell and Sarah Jackson met with Eddie Cazayoux of EnvironMental Design and Patrick Sparks of Sparks Engineering, Inc. The discussion centered on the continuing deterioration of the Yucca and Africa Houses towards developing an intervention to stabilize and preserve these structures. NCPTT has been involved in this discussion since NCPTT’s Engineering for Older and Historic Buildings training that was held during 2004-2006. We also passed on electronic copies of historical photos of Africa House.

Conferences

National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Sustainable Preservation Research Retreat

Andy Ferrell participated in this retreat that sought to develop a joint research and advocacy strategy for integrating preservation into the green building movement. The organizations currently involved are American Institute of Architects, Association for Preservation Technology International, National Park Service, General Services Administration, and National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers.

Louisiana Flood Protection and Ecosystem Restoration Professional Development Program

Andy Ferrell participated in the final day of the three-day program exploring flood protection policy, flood protection administration and various aspects of the design, construction and maintenance of flood protection systems. More than 60 levee board officials, emergency management administrators, floodplain managers, engineers, biologists, geologists and representatives of state and federal agencies participated in the pilot program. Ferrell met with collaborators Dr. Barrett Kennedy of the LSU School of Architecture and the event’s organizer Dr. John C. Pine, director of the LSU Disaster Science & Management Program. Discuss surrounded how to enhance the training by developing a cultural resource component or tailoring the current workshop for cultural resource managers.

Colorado Preservation Inc.’s 2008 Saving Places Conference

Andy Ferrell chaired a session titled “Sustainable Preservation” that focused on historic preservation and environmental conservation. Topics included historic building performance and energy conservation, efforts to integrate preservation values into the LEED rating system, and a case study of a rehabilitation project using the Sustainable Preservation Assessment developed by SLATERPAULL ARCHITECTS. Ferrell was joined by Barbara Campagna, of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Gerhard Petri and Melanie Short of SLATERPAULL ARCHITECTS, Denver, Colo.

Other Conferences Attended:

• Association for Preservation Technology, Intl., Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• From Gray Areas to Green Areas, Austin, Texas
• Texas A&M Historic Preservation Symposium, College Station, Texas

Budget

FY 2008 NCPTT Budget			Appropriated Funds
Personnel		941,000.00	941,000
	Personnel	925,000.00
	Performance Awards	16,000.00
Travel		95,000.00	95,000
	NCPTT Staff Travel	57,000.00
	PTT Board Meeting Travel	38,000.00
Transportation of Things		8,000.00	8,000
	GEN — Express Mail	8,000.00
Rent, Communications, and Utilities		51,100.00	51,100
	GEN — Utilities — Nelson Hall	40,000.00
	GEN — Phone Service	5,000.00
	GEN — GSA vehicle	5,000.00
	GEN — Storage	1,100.00
Printing & Reproduction		1,000.00	1,000
	GEN — Reproduction	1,000.00
Services		41,600.00	41,600
	GEN — Copier Maintenance and Toner	6,500.00
	GEN — Maintenance — Nelson Hall	20,000.00
	GEN — Job advertising	250.00
	GEN — Building Security/Fire Monitoring	650.00
	MRKT — Conference Displays and Fees	2,000.00
	MRP — Ion Chromatograph Service Visit	4,000.00
	AC — Marketing research surveys	500.00
	MRKT — Display Maintenance	500.00
	GEN — IT Assessment 16@$450.00	7,200.00
Training		5,200.00	5,200
	GEN — Staff Training	4,000.00
	GEN — Health Club Reimbursement (4@300)	1,200.00
Supplies		60,400.00	60,400
	GEN — Books and Subscriptions	8,000.00
	IT — Software	12,000.00
	GEN — Office Supplies	20,000.00
	MRP — Lab and Project Supplies	18,000.00
	HL/AE–Furniture	2,400.00
Capital Equipment		10,600.00	10,600
	IT — Equipment	10,000.00
	IT — Repair Large Projection Screen	600.00
Grants, CA, & Projects		713,100.00	713,100
	GEN — PTT Competitive Grants	177,669.00
	GEN — NCPTT NSU CA (Personnel, Janitorial, Info. Dissem.)	400,000.00
	GEN — NSU Graduate Preservation Assistantships (2 @ 5,000)	10,000.00
	MRP — Cemetery Preservation Brief	5,000.00
	MRP — Cemetery Telnet Course	3,800.00
	MRP — Fencing Telnet Course	3,800.00
	MRP — Academic Year Student Intern (Chemistry)	5,500.00
	MRP — Summer Undergraduate Intern	5,500.00
	MRP– Summer Graduate Intern	6,200.00
	MRP — Cultural Diversity Intern	5,531.00
	AE — Preservation Engineering Session	5,000.00
	AE — Historic Homes Initiative	2,000.00
	AE — Summer Graduate Intern (Paint Strippers Study)	6,200.00
	AE — DOCOMOMO CA	5,000.00
	AE — Texas A&M Symposium on Modernism	2,500.00
	AE — NCPE Colloquium on Preservation Education	9,000.00
	HL — Summer Graduate Intern	6,200.00
	HL — Cemetery Landscape Workshop	2,400.00
	AC — Summer Undergraduate Intern (Bone Consolidation Study)	5,500.00
	MRKT — Summer Undergraduate Intern (Marketing Database)	5,500.00
	MRKT — Videography for Training (2@2500) & Post Production	8,000.00
	HE — MHPN — Curriculum development workshop	29,000.00
	HE — Curriculum Telnet Course	3,800.00
	Total Appropriated Funds	$1,927,000
FIXED COSTS (extracted from above items)
	Building Fixed Costs
	Utilities	40,000.00
	GSA vehicle	5,000.00
	Copier Maintenance and Toner	6,500.00
	Maintenance — Nelson Hall	20,000.00
	Lab Equipment and IT Assessment	11,200.00
	Phone Service	5,000.00
	Janitorial (in NSU CA)	15,000.00
	Total Building Fixed Costs:	102,700.00
	Personnel Fixed Costs
	Federal Personnel	941,000.00
	Permanent NSU Personnel	330,000.00
	Interns	56,131.00
	Total Personnel Fixed Costs:	1,327,131.00
	Total Fixed Costs:	1,429,831.00
Definitions
	AC = Archeology and Collections
	AE = Architecture and Engineering
	HE = Heritage Education
	HL = Historic Landscapes
	IT = Information Technology
	GEN = Center-wide activities
	MRKT = Marketing
	MRP = Materials Research Program

Heritage Education

NCPTT’s Heritage Education Program uses cultural resources to develop life-long learning in k-12 students. The program’s products support local curriculum standards, national education standards and the goals of No Child Left Behind. The National Center’s Heritage Education program partners with National Park Service units, other heritage resources, k-12 schools, and teacher training colleges and universities.

Preservation Trades High School Curriculum Summit

Christine Faith, Heritage Education coordinator drafted, submitted and guided for approval a cooperative agreement with the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN) to capture best practices from the Randolph Vocation and Technical School in Detroit. The cooperative agreement required MHPN to host a national meeting with professional trades workers and professional educators to create a framework for supporting trades education programs in vocational schools across the country. The Randolph School model has the potential to implement trades training in high school vocational programs with little resistance.

The two-day workshop and one day public meeting component of the agreement took place on March 13-15. A pattern for program implementation emerged from the workshop portion, and was further refined during the public meeting. Final deliverables from the information gathered at the three day summit include draft recommendations for trades training implementation in vocational high schools, a publication and an increased web presence.

Heritage Education: Integrating Place Based Learning Tel Event

Preparations are under way for a Tel Event scheduled for May 6. Beth Boland of the Heritage Education Services office in Washington D.C. has been invited to join the broadcast and will make an excellent addition. The content for the broadcast looks for ways to partner with k-12 educators to bring Heritage Education opportunities to young learners.

Mainstreet Curriculum

Phase 1 of the Community Connections project began on Dec. 1 and is completed. In this phase, a review of the research both on what is currently available in the field and learning pedagogy in this area was investigated. Research indicated that little exists to link teachers to their communities through interactions with local people and places. Educational research indicates that students learn best when they anchor their knowledge with their sense of place through their families, schools and community. The components of the project would include this knowledge in the project. Additionally, the educational team for the project was put in place. The team includes an editor and formatter, graphic designer, and team members at determined sites to pilot the curriculum.

Phase 2 is progressing rapidly. Community Connections will center the activities around an Interviewing Thread. In addition, there will be other threads available for teachers to use. These include photos, food, poetry, timelines, interviewing, time capsules, service learning, and celebrations. The pilot program is in Crowley, La. Contacts have been made with Rich Groves in Liberty, Mo.; Kristen Cady in Augusta, Maine; Caroline Yee in Oakland, Calif.; and Tim Dalton in Kinnewick, Wash. Not all of these will decide to work on the project, so we will continue to search for locations until four more around the nation have officially determined to do the activities.

Agrarian Plantation Curriculum

NCPTT’s Heritage Education Agrarian Curriculum has been finished. The curriculum has been completed, approved, and formatted for posting to NCPTT’s web site. This curriculum was developed previously, but was not ready to disseminate publicly. Well over 30 documents were recreated in digital format and integrated into a single document. Photographs were recaptured, drawings were painstakingly retouched for better clarity and numerous documents were created from scratch. In addition to being posted on the web, this curriculum will also be cross-loaded to the handheld computers that are part of the Heritage Education Digital Traveling Trunk.

Social Media Emphasis

NCPTT is using social media as a method for making our products and service more accessible to the public. In addition, there are opportunities in social media to establish a presence for a particular discipline. Heritage education currently has a poor showing on search engines and does not appear in any “wiki’s.” NCPTT has established a wiki account with PB wiki, a wiki creation site for educators.

Another avenue of social media being explored by Heritage Education is the use of Second Life as an instruction tool for teachers to use in the classroom to teach heritage education, and also to train teachers in heritage education. Second Life has capabilities far beyond what the “real world” allows and as such, opportunities for teacher training are far reaching. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has an island in Second Life, where they are leasing space. Preliminary research has taken place and secondary research is in progress. Christine Faith is a member of ISTE and will attending their conference in July to further explore the concept of using Second Life for teacher training.

Teacher Training Webinar

The Heritage Education program at NCPTT has a strong interest in teacher training. With a national scope, this mission can be daunting due to volume and cost. To that end, the National Center is pursuing the use of “webinars” to train teachers. Instructors have been identified with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). The University of Michigan has expressed interest in supporting this project, with the possibility of hosting the course to allow teachers to earn college credit for the taking the “webinar.” This is a crucial point; hosting the course for credit virtually guarantees that teachers who take the “webinar” will earn Continuing Education Credits (CEC’s) for the course. Without the ability to earn CEC’s, many teachers would not make taking the course a priority. John Leeke, a preservation trades social media pioneer has also been contacted for assistance with this project.

Northwestern State University Undergraduate Student Researcher Grant

A proposal has been submitted to Northwestern State University for funds to support an intern in Heritage Education. This intern would develop and deploy a marketing campaign for the Heritage Education Digital Traveling Trunk (HEDTT). The campaign would include traditional marketing and social media. Successful completion of the campaign would be measured by five schools receiving, using and returning the HEDTT, accompanied by the products developed by the students while using this resource.

Web page enhancements: Capital Gains and Losses

The final showcase project for the NCPTT Heritage Ed web page, Capital Gains and Losses, has recently been posted to the site. This project serves as an excellent example of heritage education possibilities when teachers are able to include field trips into their school year schedules. This particular project illustrates how to connect students with history, their community and technology.

Historic Landscapes

NCPTT’s Historic Landscapes program encourages research and partnerships to improve the technologies available to practitioners as they undertake the complex tasks of documenting, preserving, and interpreting the historic landscapes significant to a wide variety of people and cultures.

Projects

Electronic Landscape Maintenance Plan

The Historic Landscapes program is developing a web-based tool for planning and management of historic landscapes. Prototype development during FY08 will concentrate on inventory and assessment of vegetation, enclosures (fencing, walls, etc.), and monuments.

The database software will support disconnected data collection in the field with automatic synchronization when an internet connection is available. The system will be field tested during the summer using inexpensive handheld devices and a tablet computer. The goal is to have the database system operational for use in the field during the Cemetery Landscape Preservation Workshop in September. The project is a joint effort between NCPTT’s Historic Landscapes program, IT, and Materials Research programs.

Training and Outreach

The Historic Landscapes program is planning a training video and a training event. Additionally, Debbie Smith, program chief, presented to students in Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s Master of Heritage Resources (MAHR) program.

Replacing Trees in Historic Landscape Video

The video will demonstrate best practice tech- niques for planting trees in a historic landscape. Two techniques will be highlighted: replanting an in-kind tree within the stump of a removed tree and planting a tree in an archeologically sensitive area. The video will be filmed at the Magnolia Plantation slave quarters and will be made in cooperation with the NPS Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation and the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Filming is scheduled for the week of April 20.

Cemetery Landscape Preservation Workshop

The hands-on workshop is focused on preservation and maintenance of historic cemetery vegetation. Lecture and hands-on sessions will include: determining historic character; botanical symbolism, inventory, assessment, and proper care of plant material; vegetation vs. built features; the effects of improper maintenance on monuments; and stump and invasive plant removal. The workshop will take place Sept. 16-17 in Natchitoches, La. at NCPTT and in American Cemetery.

MAHR Program Presentation

Smith spoke to NSU’s Masters of Heritage Resources students working on a project within Breda Cemetery in Natchitoches, La. about historic cemetery vegetation. The presentation focused on the historic use of vegetation, determining a cemetery’s historic character, and the identification of invasive vegetation. It also included a discussion of vegetation issues at Breda Cemetery.

Conferences

Maintaining Historic Urban Parks Workshop, Washington D.C., Nov. 5-8.

Debbie Smith attended the workshop co-sponsored by the National Association of Olmsted Parks and the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation. The workshop provided a forum for discussion of current issues and solutions associated with maintain historic urban parks. Behind the scenes field sessions included the National Mall, Mt. Vernon, and Meridian Hill Park.

Information Technology

The information technology component of NCPTT has four primary responsibilities in its support of the mission of the National Center. Those responsibilities are information management of grants and projects, the NCPTT website, in-office computer systems, and publication distribution.

PTTGrants

NCPTT’s in-house PTT grants system has completed the application and selection cycle. New streamlined pre-proposal and full proposal forms were developed and both received very positive feedback from grant applicants, particularly the formatting options and budget grids. A new internal reporting tool was developed to help program managers track pre-proposals and proposals. The system continues to evolve based on the recommendations of grant applicants and NCPTT staff.

NCPTT Website

The NCPTT website serves as a primary communications tool for establishing NCPTT as an authority on preservation technology and promoting preservation technology research and training. Web development efforts are being geared toward promoting in-house training, both face-to-face and via training videos, and research products developed primarily from the PTT/Grants program.

NCPTT has streamlined the internal content review process and has chosen a content management system to provide program managers and other staff the ability to directly publish and update content on the website. This system will provide a mechanism for syndicating products, news, training, and other site content via RSS (really simple syndication). The system is being populated with content during the spring of 2008 and will go live once training has been completed by the end of the summer.

To improve the website search tool, NCPTT will discontinue use of the Karmasoft search engine, which is based on Microsoft’s server indexing technology, and replace it with a web search service provided by Google. Development of this tool is underway and expected to be complete this spring.

Website Statistics Oct. 1, 2007-March 19, 2008

NCPTT discovered errors with an internally developed tool to track website statistics. Though based on server log files, this tool did not accurately capture page views and its use has been discontinued. In its place NCPTT now uses a third party utility called WebLog Expert to analyze server log files.

Dates	Visitors	Unique Visitors	Page Views
FY 2005*	77,686	15,925	815,079
FY 2006	795,763	62,836	18,786,560
FY 2007	602,671	91,116	3,297,188
FY 2008**	205,666	64,260	1,048,137
TOTALS	1,681,787	214,891***	23,946,964

*FY 2005 – June 7, 2005-Sept. 30, 2005. NCPTT changed servers and launched the first re-design on June 7, 2005. Log files from the old server were not available for analysis.

**FY 2008 – Oct. 1, 2007-March 30, 2008.

***Unique visitors are based on unique IP addresses in that specific year. Unique visitors for the entire period are therefore not equal to the sum of these numbers.

A visitor is a client who views the website within a single session. For example, one person viewing the site once per week for five weeks would count as five visitors.

A unique visitor is a single client regardless of how many times that client visits the website. This metric is based on IP Addresses. Each computer on the internet has either a temporary or permanent address assigned to it in order to send and receive information.

A page view is a single request for a web page sent by a visitor’s computer. A single page view can result in multiple hits (e.g. multiple images and other elements on a web page).

A hit is a request for a file sent by a visitor’s computer, which is appropriate for tracking file downloads but not for tracking pages viewed.

2005-2008 Website Statistics by Month

Month	Visitors	Page Views	Event
June 2005	15,321	50,004	Launched Redesign Alpha
July 2005	18,983	117,834
Aug. 2005	21,272	287,598
Sept. 2005	22,110	359,643	Hurricane Katrina
Oct. 2005	28,094	466,110
Nov. 2005	24,838	398,827
Dec. 2005	25,382	376,908
Jan. 2006	34,726	1,999,553
Feb. 2006	46,295	1,498,448
March 2006	60,609	1,094,915
April 2006	49,952	913,296
May 2006	103,806	4,817,286
June 2006	121,714	3,048,507
July 2006	144,092	1,740,717
Aug. 2006	81,999	2,032,141
Sept. 2006	74,253	399,852
Oct. 2006	65,546	400,878
Nov. 2006	44,663	362,980
Dec. 2006	45,853	263,152
Jan. 2007	71,149	319,506
Feb. 2007	45,674	229,149
March 2007	46,274	295,076
April 2007	42,393	285,389	Launched Redesign Beta
May 2007	46,980	230,891
June 2007	69,178	278,075
July 2007	51,093	222,759
Aug. 2007	39,206	192,349
Sept. 2007	34,653	216,984
Oct. 2007	34,225	214,778
Nov. 2007	33,534	194,928
Dec. 2007	31,080	207,653
Jan. 2008	35,593	149,159
Feb. 2008	24,962	137,228
March 2008	36,285	144,419
Totals:	1,681,787	23,946,992

Activity by Month – Visitors to the website by month. Activity rose sharply at the beginning of FY2006, peaking between April and September of 2006.

Since the June 2005 redesign, NCPTT has served nearly 24 million pages to over 200,000 unique visitors. After the June 2005 design was launched, traffic increased steadily as search engines indexed the NCPTT website and steadily increased with the addition of updates to the Hurricane Preservation Technical Assistance section and traffic from NPS. A redesign and additions to the product catalog, heavy traffic from Google and other search engines, training marketing, mailings of the print version of the product catalog, and traffic from referring sites combined to result in a dramatic surge in visitors during the summer of 2006 with additional spikes in 2007 during periods of traditional direct-mail marketing for training and the January 2007 TELNPS course.

Over the last calendar year, page views and overall visitors have decreased while the number of unique visitors has steadily risen. This indicates that repeat visitors may not be easily locating the information they are searching for. While new content is regularly added to the website, we are modifying the site design to improve the visibility of new content to visitors. As currently designed, the NCPTT home page showcases the latest training, news, and product catalog additions in a block-design. However, as new content is added these blocks are replaced. To provide a history of the most recent additions, we are adding feeds for general content, training, products, and news on the home page and major sections of the website. This will ensure that the most recent content remains easily accessible.

To improve efficacy of the search engine and provide better access to the high quality content on the website, NCPTT will:

• Add feeds to the homepage to focus on the latest training, products, news, and other content.
• Replace the current search engine with Google search.
• Restructure the overall website navigation.
• Redesign sections of the website to pull related information from other sections of the website. (e.g. Archeology & Collections will pull products, training, news, and other related information from other sections).

To draw in a larger viewership and convert them to regular visitors, NCPTT has developed a plan to participate in social media sites such as LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr, discussion forums, and to build relationships with other preservation websites.

FY 2008 Most Popular Sections by Page Views (excludes home page and search)

1. Product Catalog: 118,518
2. News: 87,439
3. Training: 52,866
4. PTTBoard Reports: 52,098
5. NCPTT Notes: 49,832
6. Grants: 44,666
7. Archeology & Collections: 33,358
8. Heritage Education: 32,094
9. Contact Us & Staff Pages: 21,398
10. Cemetery: 20,926

FY 2008 Most Popular Print Products Downloaded

1. Historic American Timber Joinery – A graphic guide (2004-08): 4,493
2. Timber Framing: No. 71, March 2004 (2004-11): 2,794
3. Timber Framing: No. 73, September 2004 (2004-13): 2,658
4. Timber Framing: No. 67, March 2003 (2004-09): 2,507
5. Nondestructive Method for Hardness Evaluation of Mortars (1999-02): 2,430
6. Timber Framing: No. 69, September 2003 (2004-10): 2,284
7. Manual on Conservation Methodology for Historic Buildings and Structures (1997-07): 1,583
8. Standard Practice for Determining the Components of Historic Cementitious Materials (2002-20): 1,349
9. Study on the Durability of Traditional and Modified Limewash Recipes: 1,335
10. Classroom Testing of Model Secondary Level Historic Preservation-Based Lesson Plans (2002-04): 1,328

FY 2008 Most Popular Video Products Downloaded

1. Cleaning a Stone Grave Marker (2007-01): 3,738
2. Iron Fence Repair (2007-03): 3,467
3. Walls of Stone: How to Build Drystone Walls and Rock Fences (1996-01): 1,262
4. Building Dry Stone Retaining Walls (2002-06) : 827
5. Glass and Stained Glass Conservation (1998-28): 641
6. USS Arizona: Preserving a War Memorial (2004-23): 551
7. Secret of Lake Meade (2004-17): 538
8. Dry Tortugas: Searching for the Windjammer Avanti (2004-22): 525
9. Application of Advanced Computer Simulation and Visualization to Enhance Cultural Resources Documentation (1997-06): 519
10. Landscapes and Lives (1997-27): 514

2005- 2008 Most Popular Sections by Page Views (excludes home page and search)

1. Product Catalog: 2,222,710
2. Training: 1,209,671
3. News: 1,040,283
4. Jobs, Employment, Internships: 803,044
5. Hurricane Recovery: 758,866
6. Grants: 569,783
7. Architecture & Engineering: 299,206
8. Archeology & Collections: 190,317
9. Heritage Education: 176,583
10. Contact Us: 170,476

2005-2008 Most Popular Print Products Downloaded

1. Testing the Energy Performance of Wood Windows in Cold Climates (1996-08): 27,249
2. Historic Landscape Resource Manual (2000-18): 19,903
3. Historic American Timber Joinery (2004-08): 13,206
4. Nondestructive Method for Hardness Evaluation of Mortars (1999-02): 11,103
5. Standard Practice for Determining the Components of Historic Cementitious Materials (2002-20): 10,922
6. Manual on Conservation Methodology for Historic Buildings and Structures: 8,726
7. Draft Code for Historic Buildings (2002-01): 8,653
8. Protective Glazing Study (1996-06): 8,177
9. Classroom Testing of Model Secondary Level Historic Preservation-Based Lesson Plans (2002-04): 7,592
10. Timber Framing: No. 67, March 2003 (2004-09): 6,990

2005-2008 Most Popular Video Products Downloaded

1. Cleaning a Stone Grave Marker (2007-01): 4,051
2. Iron Fence Repair (2007-03): 3,476
3. Building Dry Stone Retaining Walls (2002-06) : 3,031
4. Walls of Stone: How to Build Drystone Walls and Rock Fences (1996-01): 2,775
5. Culture Shock: Fire Protection for Historic and Cultural Property (1995-01): 2,354
6. Preserving America’s Landscape (1996-02): 1,952
7. Retaining America’s Dry Stone Heritage (2002-05): 1,913
8. Secret of Lake Meade (2004-17): 1,874
9. Glass and Stained Glass Conservation (1998-28): 1,409
10. Dry Tortugas: Searching for the Windjammer Avanti (2004-22): 1,311

In-office Computer Systems

Utilizing current computer technologies facilitates the accomplishment of NCPTT’s mission. Information technology staffers are continually researching and updating the in-office systems to make them as efficient as possible for the staff. The National Center’s IT department faces many of the same challenges that larger IT departments face. Of particular emphasis has been security, data storage and disaster recovery. The IT staff has always strived to stay ahead of the curve in these areas but recent major events nationally and on the state level have caused the National Center’s IT staff to address these issues at greater length. The IT staff is confident that its continued diligence in these areas will continue to safeguard the National Center’s electronic data.

The Center’s IT staff has implemented new stringent log-on procedures for all workstations in the office and has updated security patches for all NCPTT servers. This spring, staff will install and configure Extensis Portfolio 8.5 in order to increase data management of NCPTT’s growing knowledge base. Portfolio is a powerful digital asset management tool that will allow users to visually organize, sort, and preview NCPTT’s complete library of digital assets.

Publication Distribution

One of the major functions of the NCPTT website is to provide a central location to search for preservation publications. In the last six months, approximately 40 publication orders were mailed to the public by NCPTT IT staff. The majority of these orders were submitted via the online product catalog, averaging three products per order.

NCPTT Library

Over the last six months, the IT staff has successfully completed the cataloging of the Center’s library. This means an addition of more than 250 items to the library database. Plans are underway to post the database via the NPS network for viewing by other offices and parks. Once the library database is available online, each Center workstation will be able to access it through the intranet. Although not a lending library, it is important to inform the preservation community of the available library resources at NCPTT.

TELNPS/ Webex Training

The Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Network is the mechanism whereby thousands of National Park Service employees receive competency-based training at or near their work site at little or no cost to them. The Network has over 230 receiving stations across the Service spanning five time zones. The highly interactive training allows students immediate access to their instructor. This interactivity is the key component to the success of broad and varied training opportunities.

From Oct. 1 through March 20, five classes were taken at NCPTT with 15 participants. Some of those participating were staff from the Cane River Creole National Historical Park and the Cane River National Heritage Area Commission and CRNHA staff. The Center’s TELNPS system received an equipment upgrade in FY2007.

The installation of the TELNPS station at NCPTT has provided Center employees and NPS employees from the surrounding area with the opportunity to gain high quality training specific to their jobs at a convenient location. The Center is excited to be a part of the NPS’s continued growth of interactive distance learning activities.

In addition to the TELNPS training, NCPTT has provided area offices with resources for Webex Training. This spring NCPTT has hosted 30 individuals participating in 8 different Webex sessions.

Materials Research

NCPTT’s Materials Research Program focuses on understanding how cultural materials deteriorate with time and developing new methods to preserve these materials.

Research

New FTIR Microscope

A new Perkin Elmer Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrometric microscope was installed in the NCPTT research labs on November 27. The instrument will allow researchers to map chemicals on the surface of cultural materials. This can be used to track chemical changes of organic treatments to small metal or stone surfaces over time. The instrument will be used immediately in conjunction with the evaluation of stone consolidation and cleaning treatment recommendations for the Arsenal and Macombe monuments in Historic Congressional Cemetery. NCPTT staff, including Jason Church, Catherine Situma, and Mary Striegel, have received applications training on the newly installed microscope.

NCA Interagency Agreement

The Department of Veteran Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, has entered into a new interagency agreement with NCPTT to continue the evaluation of commercially available cleaners for use on federally-issued headstones. The agreement provides NCPTT with $34,335 in funds to apply to this research over a two-year period. The follow-up study will continue to monitor biological regrowth at two national cemeteries.

Training and Outreach

TEL Courses

Two NPS TEL courses were offered by NCPTT in January. Instructors Mary Striegel and Jason Church team taught the course, “Essentials in Cemetery Monument Care,” offered on Jan 17. This two-hour course focused on proper cleaning and resetting issues and was designed for maintenance staff and personnel responsible for the care of historic cemeteries; cultural resource specialists who oversee the care of stone monuments, including grave markers and commemorative monuments; archeologists assigned the responsibility for care and maintenance of grave sites or cemeteries. The course was attended by at least 26 NPS employees. A new TEL course offering, “Basics in Iron Fencing Care,” was taught by Jason Church on Jan 18. This one-hour course emphasized sound maintenance techniques for iron fencing and exterior iron elements. The course addressed documentation, cleaning, simple repairs and surface treatments. Based on participant evaluations the courses were well received.

Grant Symposium

NCPTT and the New York Conservation Foundation hosted “Progress in Preservation through NCPTT Grants,” sessions I and II at the Eastern Analytical Symposium held November 12, 2007 in Somerset New Jersey. Twelve past PTT grant recipients presented the results of their work at the sessions. The projects presented included topics of materials conservation, architecture, archeology, and landscapes. Dr. Mary Striegel co-chaired the sessions and presented on the NCPTT PTT Grants program.

Cemetery Training

Jason Church conducted site visits in preparation for the 2008 Cemetery Monument Conservation Basics Course to be held in Morris, Ill. On May 17, and the 2008 Cemetery Monument Conservation Workshop to be held in New London, Conn. in Oct 7-9. The Basics course is being organized in conjunction with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. The Workshop partners include the City of New London. This year’s Cemetery Monument Conservation Workshop will focus extensively on slate and brownstone monuments.

Internships

NCPTT interns Stace Miller and Bilal Khurshid were acknowledged for their research efforts and professional presentations at NSU’s Annual College of Science and Technology banquet. Miller and Khurshid received awards for their American Chemical Society (ACS) presentations. Miller also received the Outstanding ACS student chapter and the 2008 Outstanding Math Major awards. In addition, Stace was the beneficiary of a research grant awarded to NCPTT by NSU’s research council, which will fund her attendance at the AIC annual meeting and presentation of her paper entitled “A comparative cleaning study for fragile marble monuments after pretreatment with Hydroxylating Conversion Treatment (HCT).” NCPTT intern Anna Johnson, Louisiana School for Math, Sciences and the Arts junior, placed first in the regional science competition for her work using portable X-ray Fluorescence to study the effects of labeling methods on elemental analysis of archeological pottery.

The Materials Research Program will host two interns this summer, Ms. Molly McGath and Ms. Catherine Arceneaux. McGath will be receiving a Master’s in Chemistry from the University of Arizona in May and will then be transferring to the Heritage Conservation Science PhD. program within the Materials Science Department at the University of Arizona. McGath’s main tasks will be to assist Catherine Situma in the comparative study of pollution deposition to cleaned marble and comparative testing of water repellents for brick and stone masonry. Arceneaux is an undergraduate at the Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in historic preservation. Arceneaux’s main tasks will be to assist Jason Church in developing a project on graffiti removal from masonry. This project will include field testing of graffiti removal techniques and the production of an instructional video.

The NPS Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program has awarded a position to NCPTT for the Summer of 2008. The intern will assist in the project, “Oral Traditions: Recording Fading Aspects of Traditional African American Burial Practices.” In addition to research, the intern will attend the annual career workshop hosted by the NPS and the Student Conservation Association.

Consultations

NCPTT provided consultation to Arlington National Cemetery regarding maintenance and repair of the Tomb of the Unknowns. Jason Church and Mary Striegel prepared a written report offering guidance regarding specifications for cyclic maintenance to the Tomb, including monitoring of major cracks, replacement of previous repairs, cleaning and treatment.

Jason Church and Sean Clifford assisted the WASO Historic Preservation Grants Program. The two NCPTT staff members spent a day in New Orleans, LA and a day along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. While there they photographed house projects that have been funded by NPS grants. In addition to taking photographs of the homes and their owners the team interviewed many of the owners about their experiences restoring the homes. Sean Clifford is working further with the WASO Grants office to develop a web site featuring the house projects and the pictures taken.

NCPTT offered technical assistance to the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport, Louisiana on November 5, 2007. The museum expressed concern about the condition of several archeological copper objects associated with the Gahagan burials which were excavated in the 1930s. The objects included a pair of long-nosed god masks, a copper hand effigy and copper/wood ear ornaments. NCPTT staff, including Mary Striegel, David Morgan, and Jason Church, evaluated the chemical makeup of the objects using a portable X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer. They offered recommendations about display conditions and referrals to conservators who may assist the museum.

The Joint Readiness Training Center and Ft. Polk hosted their first Heritage Day Celebration on November 3at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Family members and their descendents who owned the land before the military acquired it in 1941 were invited to the event. Over four hundred participants attended the one day event. Jason Church was on hand to speak to the participants about caring for the more than a dozen family cemeteries that still remain on the military base.

Meetings

Mary Striegel represented the National Park Service at the American Institute for Conservation Fall Board Meeting and Internal Advisory Group Meeting held Nov 7-10. Striegel is responsible for coordinating officers from ten specialty groups within the organization. Additionally, she participated in a strategic planning meeting for AIC.

The University of Cincinnati, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, invited Mary Striegel to speak on the topic of air pollution and cultural resources to an audience of more than 30 graduate students held November 30. Striegel presented a 55 minute presentation that focused on three of NCPTT’s recent research projects. One outcome of this presentation was a visit on March 27 to NCPTT by Dr. Mingming Lu and Dr. Tim Keener to explore possible future partnerships.

Jason Church was part of a session on cemetery preservation planning and maintenance as part of Saving Places 2008, Colorado Preservation, Inc.’s Eleventh annual historic preservation conference, held February 6-8. More than 40 participants learned about surveying and documentation, project planning, and conservation of wooden gravemarkers. Other presenters at this session included Ron Anthony and Amy Guthrie.

In light of the growing variety of media, from electronic records and image recordings to papers, photographs, and books, that are cared for by libraries, Mary Striegel was invited to presented a 45 minute presentation to the 2008 Louisiana Library Assocation Annual meeting on March 6, in Shreveport Louisiana. The presentation, entitled “Protecting and Preserving Louisiana’s historic Legacy: The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training – An Overview,” focused on advances in book, paper, photograph, electronic media, and moving image preservation resulting from NCPTT’s grants and projects. Striegel highlighted eight grant and projects covering topics for materials preservation to disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

NCPTT was represented at the Northwestern State University 21st Annual Research Day on March 20 by five staff members or associates. Presentations included the following:

• “The Effects of Labeling Methods on the Elemental Analysis of Artifacts” by Anna Johnson, (an LSMSA Junior in High School)
• “Identifying Stone Commonly Found in Cemeteries” by Caleb Johnson
• “A comparative cleaning study for fragile marble monuments after pretreatment with Hydroxylating Conversion Treatment (HCT)” by Stace Miller
• “Comparative Study of Commercially Available Cleaners for Use on Federally Issued Headstones” by Jason Church
• “Effectiveness of Consolidants to withstand Air Pollution” by Catherine Situma.

Preserve America – November 2007

Preserve America Summit Implementation Report

Promote innovation by creating a clearinghouse through the National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training to disseminate information on innovative technologies and encourage their use.

Date: 11/14/07

Reporting Agency/Agencies:
National Park Service, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Contact(s):
Kirk A. Cordell, Executive Director. 318/356-7444

Progress Since Last Report:
Presented progress-to-date of NCPTT Preserve America activities at biannual meeting of the Preservation Technology and Training Board and received advice on developing the preservation clearinghouse. Continued improving website functionality to ease user access to preservation information. Added more technical publications to the website.

Next Actions:
Identify appropriate federal, nonprofit and other partners to develop the clearinghouse strategy. Acquire data cataloging software to improve access to, and management of, NCPTT data.

Problems or Constraints:
Lack of financial and staff resources to implement the fully integrated clearinghouse.

Preserve America – December 2007

Preserve America Summit Implementation Report

Promote innovation by creating a clearinghouse through the National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training to disseminate information on innovative technologies and encourage their use.

Date: 12/13/07

Reporting Agency/Agencies:
National Park Service, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Contact(s):
Kirk A. Cordell, Executive Director, 318/356-7444

Progress Since Last Report:
Completed Social Media Marketing Plan and reported on results to staff; marketing program will develop an Online Newsroom over the next few months, and program areas will explore potential for using blogs, social bookmarking, social networking, video sharing, micro sharing, and event notification to share preservation information with a wider audience.

Briefed Congressman Jim McCrery’s staff on Preserve America initiative and reporting system.

Identified data cataloguing software to improve access to, and management of, NCPTT data; negotiated discount and prepared purchase request.

Streamlined PTT Grants Program application process and improved quality of applications by adding pre-proposal process, all handled online; improved quality of applications means better technology and better dissemination within existing funds.

Next Actions:
Identify appropriate federal, nonprofit and other partners to develop the national clearinghouse strategy.

Purchase data cataloguing software.

Begin implementing Social Media Marketing Plan.

Problems or Constraints:
Lack of financial and staff resources to implement a fully integrated clearinghouse.

Preserve America – January 2008

Preserve America Summit Implementation Report

Promote innovation by creating a clearinghouse through the National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training to disseminate information on innovative technologies and encourage their use.

Date: January 14, 2008

Reporting Agency/Agencies:
National Park Service; National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Contact(s):
Kirk A. Cordell, Executive Director, NCPTT, (318) 356-7444

Progress Since Last Report:
NCPTT identified 26 federal, nonprofit, and other partners for the national clearinghouse strategy. NCPTT also purchased Portfolio 8.5 data cataloguing software to aid in managing and cataloging images and data, allowing for quicker development and dissemination of preservation technical information via NCPTT’s website and other media.

NCPTT began its social media initiative by establishing accounts with high-leverage players like YouTube, Flickr, and Twitter. NCPTT’s Marketing Manager is instructing “PR Campaigns,” the capstone course for Public Relations students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU). This year, the course centers on social media with NCPTT as the campaign client. Student teams are planning strategic campaigns in the following types of social media: Visual (flickr, YouTube, Picasa); Networking (Facebook, ning, Linkedin); Bookmarking (RSS, digg, del.icio.us, Stumbleupon); Blogging (Twitter, Wiki, Pageflakes); and Presentation (podcast, Google maps, Slideshare). Additionally, NSU has agreed to allow NCPTT to use its state-of-the-art television and radio facilities to record podcasts and vodcasts.

Next Actions:
NCPTT will continue identifying and contacting partners, schedule a conference call with potential partners, and add technical reports to the Center’s website. The Center will initiate a test blog featuring regular updates from the program chiefs that incorporates social media components like YouTube. NCPTT will also continue to port its inventory of appropriate video products to YouTube.

Problems or Constraints:
Lack of financial and staff resources to implement a fully integrated clearinghouse.

Preserve America – February 2008

Preserve America Summit Implementation Report

Promote innovation by creating a clearinghouse through the National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training to disseminate information on innovative technologies and encourage their use.

Date: February 13, 2008

Reporting Agency/Agencies:
National Park Service; National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Contact(s):
Kirk A. Cordell, Executive Director, NCPTT, kirk_cordell@nps.gov, (318) 356-7444

Progress Since Last Report:
NCPTT began contacting identified Federal, nonprofit, and other partners to develop the national clearinghouse strategy.

As part of NCPTT’s social media initiative, each program area has met with students from “PR Campaigns,” a course at Northwestern State University of Louisiana taught by NCPTT’s marketing manager. The students are collaborating on a strategic plan to integrate the entire spectrum of social media into NCPTT’s existing systems. Accounts have been set up for the National Center to begin blogging and podcasting immediately.

Three additional PTT Grants technical reports have been added to NCPTT’s website: “Lustron On-line,” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation; “Identification of Unmarked Graves,” by the NPS Midwest Archeology Center and Minnesota State University Moorhead; and “Development of a Rapid Indicator of Biodeterioration of Historic Stone” by Harvard University.

Next Actions:
NCPTT will continue to identify and contact partners, schedule a conference call with potential partners, and add technical reports to the Center’s website. The National Center will also continue to produce technical preservation information for dissemination via NCPTT’s website and other media. NCPTT will continue implementing social media applications to reach new audiences. Staff will begin training on use of blog and podcast tools, and NCPTT will produce its first podcast.

Problems or Constraints:
No financial or staff resources to implement a fully integrated clearinghouse.

Preserve America – March 2008

Preserve America Summit Implementation Report

Promote innovation by creating a clearinghouse through the National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training to disseminate information on innovative technologies and encourage their use.

Date: March 11, 2008

Reporting Agency/Agencies:
National Park Service; National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Contact(s):
Kirk A. Cordell, Executive Director, NCPTT, (318) 356-7444

Progress Since Last Report: NCPTT completed final review of the 2008 Preservation Technology and Training Grants program and recommended four innovative preservation projects to the Secretary of the Interior. One of these will result in a first of its kind conservation WIKI that will provide a model for enhancing the dissemination of information via NCPTT’s clearinghouse. NCPTT also began building a prototype of a new web-based preservation clearinghouse to index preservation related web resources. The clearinghouse uses RSS (really simple syndication) and other technologies to pull news, video, images, documents and other information in real-time from several sites such as the Historic Preservation Learning Portal, Google, YouTube, and Flickr. One of the goals of the clearinghouse is to index, store, and tag this data to provide an easily searchable resource for preservation professionals. NCPTT continued identifying and contacting federal, nonprofit and other partners to develop the national clearinghouse strategy.

Next Actions: NCPTT will continue identifying and contacting partners, schedule a conference call with potential partners, and add technical reports to the Center’s website. NCPTT will continue to produce technical preservation information for dissemination via NCPTT’s website and other media. NCPTT will continue implementing social media applications to reach new audiences. Staff will begin training on use of blog and podcast tools.

Problems or Constraints: Lack of financial and staff resources to implement a fully integrated clearinghouse.

PTT Grants

The 1992 Amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act, Title IV (16 U.S.C. 470x-Section 405) provide that, “The Secretary, in consultation with the Board, shall provide preservation technology and training grants to eligible applicants with a demonstrated institutional capability and commitment to the purposes of the Center, in order to ensure an effective and efficient system of research, information distribution and skills training in all the related historic preservation fields.”

This report details the Preservation Technology and Training Grants program activities between Oct. 16 and March 20. NCPTT’s grants program supports innovative projects in archeology, historic architecture, historic landscapes, and materials conservation. The focus of these projects is preservation technology.

2008 PTT Grants Call for Proposals

This year for the first time NCPTT implemented a pre-proposal application process. Applicants were required to submit a brief one- to two-page abstract through NCPTT’s website that described their research or training idea. The pre-proposal offered applicants an opportunity to get feedback early in the grants process, while simultaneously allowing NCPTT staff to quickly identify proposals that fit with NCPTT’s mission.

The call for pre-proposals was posted on the website by September 15, 2007. A total of 137 were received by Oct. 15. Program chiefs reviewed and responded to each of the pre-proposals within five days of its receipt. Chiefs provided specific comments to help strengthen accepted pre-proposals and to provide future guidance for rejected pre-proposals. Staff invited applicants to submit full proposals if the pre-proposal was complete, addressed a national meed, fit the center’s mission, and seemed cost-effective. Authors of 78 pre-proposals were asked to submit a formal online proposal. A total of 63 completed grant applications were received and reviewed by NCPTT staff. Fifteen proposals were forwarded to a national panel for review. NCPTT staff felt that the pre-proposal phase of the grant process led to substantially better quality proposals submited to the program.

NCPTT convened a national review panel on March 11 by conference call. Prior to the conference call, panelists reviewed proposals and submitted comments and scores to NCPTT . Next, panelists were provided a ranked list based on their reviews prior to the call. The applications were grouped by those receiving high, middle and low scores. Based on discussions, six applications were recommended by the panel for funding and ranked by priority. Budget constraints permitted NCPTT to recommend only four for funding, although it was clear that many of the projects had the potential to significantly contribute to the development of new preservation technologies.

… …

Recent Grant Product Highlights:

PTT Grant MT-2210-06-NC-04, High Definition Documentation in Archaeology, Principal Investigators: John Loomis, of the Kacyra Family Foundation, and Glenn Hill, of Texas Tech University. Loomis and Hill used a 3D laser scanner and high dynamic range digital camera, along with conventional surveying and GPS, to illustrate how these technologies can be employed to cut down dramatically on the time required to document the built, structural component of archaeological sites. They used Fire Temple at Mesa Verde as a test site. In 2007 at MEVE they conducted a two-week training workshop, a two-day overview session on high definition documentation, and four four-day training workshops. To disseminate their information even more widely they designed a webinar that reached 90 people. Major deliverables include a formal report, the stipulated on-site training, high definition documentation of part of MEVE, and DVD copies of the webinar for posting with all three collaborators.

PTT Grant MT-2210-06-NC-05, Development of a Rapid Indicator of Biodeterioration of Historic Stone Final Report, Principal Investigators: Ralph Mitchell and Christopher J. McNamara, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Biodeterioration plays an important role in the degradation of stone in historic buildings, monuments, and archeological sites. Microbial deterioration occurs through the action of organic and inorganic acids produced by biofilms. Detection of microbial deterioration of culturally important stone objects is difficult. The use of microbiological indicators of environmental conditions is common (e.g., E. coli is a key indicator of fecal contamination of water). The objective of this research project was to compare the microbial community on deteriorated and undeteriorated stone. The microbial community of both deteriorated and undeteriorated locations was dominated by Cyanobacteria. In undeteriorated locations the dominant organism was Anabaena cylindrica. In deteriorated locations, the dominant organism was Chroococcidiopsis sp. Differences between the communities suggest that microbial indicators could provide a simple and rapid means for early detection of stone biodeterioration.

PTT Grant MT-2210-06-NC-04, Architectural Records Conference: Preserving the Architectural Record, Final Report, Principal Investigator: Ingrid Bogel, Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts. The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) presented a national conference, Architectural Records Symposium: Managing and Preserving Design Records, at the Chicago History Museum on July 16 and 17, 2007. The sessions were tailored to meet the training needs of collections care professionals on both theoretical and practical levels. Participants learned about the significance of architectural records; the array of materials and methods used to create them, from the earliest processes to those in use today; collecting policies; appraisal; intellectual control; preventive and remedial preservation measures; innovations in conservation treatment; methods of access; reformatting; and management of electronic files.

PTT Grant MT-2210-06-NC-03, Documenting the Arneson Theatre and its Landscape Using 3D Laser Technology, Final Report, Principal Investigator: Gary W. Smith, Texas Tech University College of Architecture. A preservation team of architectural students from the Texas Tech University College of Architecture led by Professors John P. White and Gary W. Smith completed HALS documentation of the theatre and its surroundings using a 3D laser scanner and AutoCad. Plant materials were identified by Anne Solsbery, a San Antonio Landscape Architect. Not only is this the first HALS project in the state of Texas, it is the first historic landscape to be documented for HALS using laser scanning technology. NCPTT has been provided with CAD drawings to HALS standards and a description of the process.

PTT Grant MT-2210-05-NC-09, Merging Aerial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Satellite Multispectral Data to Inventory Archaeological Sites, Principal Investigator: Doug Comer, on behalf of the Catalina Island Conservancy. Comer developed image analysis protocols for commercial aerial and satellite data that enable archaeological sites to be identified during rapid, wide-area planning level site surveys. NCPTT funds leveraged private funds that allowed Comer to develop prototype software to reduce image analytical processing time from five hours to 15 minutes, and the UCLA Cotsen Institute will provide ground truth testing in the future. Major deliverables include a formal report and protocols for detection through analysis of radar and multispectral images.

PTT Grant MT-2210-05-NC-11, Digital Archive of the Upper Tongue River Valley, Principal Investigator: Chere Jiusto, Montana Preservation Alliance. Jiusto studied the cultural landscape of the Tongue River Valley of Montana and created a digital archive of historic sites. The archive integrates GPS, site forms, and photographs and serves as a case study for the power of technology in protecting properties through innovative documentation. The project produced a one-hour video documentary that was distributed by Montana Public Television and provided as DVDs to county libraries, the Northern Cheyenne THPO, and the local school district.

PTT Grant MT-2210-05-NC-02, Acoustic Emission and Vibration Correlation, Final Report, Principal Investigator: David T. Biggs, PE, Fort Ticonderoga Association. Fort Ticonderoga and Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C., as their consultant, performed testing on four stone-masonry walls to research vibration damage and the feasibility of using acoustic emission technology on historical stone-masonry. The Acoustic Emission and Vibration Correlation research project had three research objectives as summarized below:

• To assess the correlation of vibration readings to visual structural damage in historical stone-masonry walls.
• To determine the feasibility of using acoustic emission technology to detect damage in historical stone-masonry walls.
• To determine the feasibility of acoustic emissions to predict signs of distress and sudden failure of historical stone-masonry walls.

PTT Grant MT-2210-04-NC-11, Lustron On-Line, Final Report, Principal Investigator:Jeanne Lambin, National Trust for Historic Preservation. . This grant resulted in Lustron Preservation (www.lustronpreservation.org), a web-based initiative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The website was created to help owners and advocates preserve Lustron homes by providing high-quality technical information and a forum for the exchange of information via the internet. The team produced a comprehensive website which includes information on the history of Lustron homes, advocacy, repair, maintenance, basic preservation standards and practices as well as a user-generated inventory of Lustron homes. The website is extensively illustrated with relevant images from the Lustron Erection Manual and, when available, contemporary and historic images.

Board List

PTT Board Members:

Judith A. Bense, Ph.D. Chair, Dept. of Anthropology Director, Archeology Institute, University of West Florida	Horace H. Foxall, Jr. Program Manager Center of Expertise for Preservation of Historic Structures U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
James W. Garrison State Historic Preservation Officer State of Arizona	Roy E. Graham, FAIA Director, College Programs in Historic Preservation School of Architecture, College of Design, Construction & Planning, University of Florida
Norman L. Koonce, FAIA National Co-Chairman The Campaign for the American Center of Architecture	Suzanne Lewis Secretary of Interior’s Designee, PTT Board Superintendent, Yellowstone National Park
Robert G.H. Pahl, AIA, NCARB President, Pahl Architecture P.C.	Frank Preusser, Ph.D. Frank Preusser & Associates
Robert Silman, PE Robert Silman Associates, P.C.	Jonathan Spodek Associate Professor, Department of Architecure Ball State University
Robert Sutton, Ph.D. Designated Federal Official Chief Historian, National Park Service	Suzanne L. Turner, FASLA Professor Emerita of Landscape Architecture Louisiana State University
Norman Weiss, FAPT Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation

Calendar

April 2008 April 5-10, 2008, American Chemical Society National Meeting New Orleans, LA April 8-10, 2008, Preserving Coastal Forts, Fort Moultrie, South Carolina April 20-27, 2008, Passover April 21-24, 2008, American Institute for Conservation, Annual Meeting, Denver, CO April 22-25, 2008, Catholic Cemeteries of the West Convention & Annual Meeting, Stevenson, WA

May 2008 May 1, 2008, May Day Program, Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for the community, Natchitoches, LA May 2, 2008: Yom Hashoah May 6-7, 2008, NPS Tel Course, Heritage Education in the National Parks, Harper’s Ferry, WV May 7, 2008: Yom Hazikaron May 8, 2008: Yom Haatzmaut-Ut May 15-17, 2008, American Institute of Architects, Annual Meeting, Boston, MA May 20-22, 2008, Designing the Parks, Part 1: The History of Park Planning and Design, Charlottesville, VA May 23, 2008, Lag Baomer May 26, 2008, Memorial Day May 29–31, 2008, US/ICOMOS International Symposium, Washington, D.C.

June 2008 June 9, 2008, Shavuot TBA: Remote Site Surveillance and Monitoring Technologies Symposium June 12, 2008: Cleaning and documentation in historic cemeteries, Savannah, GA June 19-22, 2008, Association of Gravestone Studies, Amherst, MA June 24-27, 2008: New England Cemetery Association Annual Convention, Sturbridge, MA June 29-July 2, 2008: International Society for Technology in Education Annual Conference, San Antonio June 29-July 4, 2008, World Archaeological Congress, Dublin, Ireland

July 2008 July (?), 2008, Rocky Mountain Monument Builders Annual Meeting July 4, 2008, Independence Day June 29-July 2, 2008: International Society for Technology in Education Annual Conference, San Antonio June 29-July 4, 2008, World Archaeological Congress, Dublin, Ireland

August 2008 August (?), 2008, Cemetery Operations and Maintenance Conference August 10, 2008, Tisha B’Av August 2008, Preservation in Your Community Symposium, Natchitoches, LA

September 2008 September (?), 2008, American Association for State and Local History, Annual Meeting September 1, 2008, Labor Day September 16-17, 2008: Cemetery Landscape Preservation Workshop, Natchitoches, LA September 16-20, 2008: Prospection in Depth, NCPTT Archeology and Collections Training, San Francisco, CA September 18-20, 2008, Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference, Boston, MA September 20, 2008, S’Lichot TBA: New England Cemetery Monument Conservation Workshop, a three day event, New London, CT TBA: Environmental Adaptations in Design, Lafayette, LA September 30, 2008, Rosh Hashanah

October 2008 October 1, 2008, Rosh Hashanah October 9, 2008, Yom Kippur October 13, 2008, Columbus Day October 14-20, 2008, Sukkot October 21, 2008, Atzeret / Simchat Torah

November 2008 November 11, 2008, Veterans Day November 27, 2008, Thanksgiving Day

December 2008 December 25, 2008, Christmas Day December 22-29, 2008, Chanukah

..

Minutes – Fall 2007

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

National Park Service

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Nov. 2-3, 2007

Minutes

Preservation Technology and Training Board Fall Meeting

Preservation Technology and Training Board Members Present: Dr. Judith Bense (chair), Mr. Horace Foxall, Mr. Jim Garrison, Mr. Roy Graham, Mr. Norman Koonce, Mr. Rob Pahl, and Dr. Frank Preusser, Mr. Robert Silman, Mr. Norman Weiss.

Members Absent: Ms. Suzanne Lewis, Mr. Norman Koonce, Ms. Suzanne Turner

Designated Federal Official: Mr. Jon Smith

Association for Preservation Technology: Barbara Campagna, Michael Schuller

Puerto Rico SHPO: Aida Belen Rivera Ruiz, Karen González Jensen

San Juan NHP: Aleta Knight

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training Staff: Mr. Kirk Cordell, Mr. Kevin Ammons, Mr. Andy Ferrell, Mr. Jeff Guin, Dr. David Morgan, Ms. Debbie Smith, Dr. Mary Striegel.

Chair Bense called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.

Chair Bense asked for corrections to the spring 2007 minutes. Dr. Striegel asked that the minutes reflect the Tel-Net course was held at HPTC. Mr. Foxall moved the minutes be approved with the correction. Mr. Silman seconded.

Mr. Smith, as DFO, certified the meeting with a quorum present.

Partner recognition: Mr. Cordell said NCPTT accomplishes much more through its partnerships. Ms. Ruiz said she is proud that this is the first meeting to be held outside the mainland. Mr. Silman asked if Puerto Rican government protects historic sites.

Ms. Ruiz said the media attention given to these sites has enhanced the government’s support of preserving these sites.

Ms. Knight said San Juan NHP is becoming better known for its preservation of historic sites. She is looking forward to touring the board at the NHP later today. Mr. Cordell said the preservation work taking place in Puerto Rico is a fabulous example of partnerships leveraging resources.

Mr. Cordell recognized the APT representatives, Ms. Campagna and Mr. Shuller. Ms. Campagna said NCPTT is one of the organization’s strongest supporters. This is the first meeting off the mainland of North America and will be its most successful. APT and NCPTT have created a memorandum of agreement for workshop training. She recognized Mr. Weiss, who is a fellow of APT; Mr. Silman, a past keynote speaker; and Dr. Striegel, who will accept the Oliver Tully award at this year’s conference for the Limewash research paper she co-authored.

Mr. Shuller offered his thanks for NCPTT cooperation in developing the memorandum of agreement, which has helped focus membership interest in carrying out more training programs.

DFO recognition: Mr. Cordell recognized the PTT Board DFO. Mr. Smith said the budget is on continuing resolution and on a flat-line basis. The Heritage Preservation Grants Program has been effective in getting money to people affected by the 2005 hurricanes. The program is doing great work with the $53 million allotted. In Louisiana, there were some 1,900 applicants with 283 awards. Despite the extra labor, the Heritage Preservation Assistance office was only allowed to hire one new employee to handle this program.

Mr. Smith said the next board meeting in Natchitoches would be a good opportunity for the people running the preservation grants program to speak on their work.

Technical Preservation Services is on schedule to give its final guidance on overhauling tax incentives in December.

Sharon Park has resigned to take a position as chief architect with the Smithsonian.

With financial support from NCPTT, the Federal Preservation Institute will be able to expand its historic preservation portal. Board members say they are not using the preservation portal. A training session on the portal should be included in the future board meeting.

A five-part training series for federal preservation officers, headed by Connie Ramirez, will make core knowledge more consistent.

The National Heritage Areas program is growing. There are 37 now with 16 more planned. NCPTT assisted in an evaluation tool for a congressionally mandated review. In January, a system for evaluating the heritage areas consistently will roll out.

Brenda Barrett just resigned from the Heritage Area program. Mr. Graham moved to express the boards appreciation for Brenda Barrett’s hard work and expertise with the heritage area’s initiative. Mr. Foxall seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Heritage Education services and NCPTT heritage education are cooperating on a college-level curriculum to enhance heritage tourism.

State of NCPTT: Chair Bense recognized Mr. Cordell to present the State of NCPTT report.

Mr. Cordell said the Summer Institute has been changed into a year-round training model. The program managers will explain those in more detail later. NCPTT developed a 2008 training calendar outlining upcoming events, which it promotes at tradeshows.

Several interns interned with NCPTT this summer, including an ICOMOS intern. Preservation in Your Community, a community event held each year by NCPTT and its NPS partners in Natchitoches, allowed the interns to present the results of our research.

NCPTT currently has cooperative agreements with ICOMOS, DOCOMOMO, APT and Louisiana State University. The agreements help leverage our limited funds.

Mr. Cordell and Dr. Morgan will have articles in a publication on heritage values.

The staff had a retreat to develop the strategic plan. Staff also devoted much time to creating a proposal for the Preserve America initiative.

The president’s proposed budget for 2009 includes a small cost of living increase. Debbie Smith was hired as the new chief of Historic Landscapes.

Dr. Catherine Situma joined NCPTT as a materials research. NCPTT is now fully funded for the first time in the past five years. Dr. Morgan has been promoted effective this week.

In facility management, NCPTT’s new landscape plan at Lee H. Nelson Hall has been implemented after much effort. The Center is still working to mitigate water infiltration. The server room was cited in a recent audit as being too accessible, which is difficult since it hard to cool the room. An independent cooling system will have to be installed.

The library continues to add titles and is becoming a more useful tool. The website is growing exponentially. The marketing manager is working with program chiefs to create marketing strategies.

Heritage Education is being reinvented.

The Archeology and Collections program has generated a lot of interest, especially on the NCPTT website and in the grants program.

Architecture and Engineering is developing partnerships Mr. Ferrell has done much of the legwork for NCPTT’s cooperative agreements.

Historic Landscapes is new, but already working to develop a palm-top documentation plan.

In board business, Jonathan Spodek has been appointed to the board. NCPTT moved for the reappointment of some current board members that are scheduled to rotate off the board. The current charter doesn’t allow reappointments, but members can continue to serve until replacements are found. In January, the Center can work to change the language of the charter. One replacement still needs to be appointed to the board. Suzanne Lewis is very busy with political matters at Yellowstone and may have to resign from the board, so an additional replacement may have to be found.

BREAK

Introduction of the Strategic Plan: Mr. Cordell introduced an updated strategic plan. The strategic goals and objectives are being revised. Mr. Silman offered that the board might have useful input on the strategic plan as part of its advisory role.

Mr. Cordell said among the preliminary updates include more Tel-NPS training events. Mr. Weiss asked if the Center has gotten beyond the point that people are asking, “What is NCPTT?” Mr. Cordell said more work still has to be done, but NCPTT does have a much higher profile among preservationists as a whole.

Mr. Graham said there are opportunities to work with schools and universities and distance learning technologies to develop preservation courses. Mr. Weiss suggested exploring ways to supplement existing courses with information already developed by NCPTT.

Chair Bense said preservation education programs like hers would probably pay to use such programs to fill in holes in the curriculum.

Mr. Silman said continuing education credits among affiliated professionals continues to be a huge market for training promotion. Professionals can take web-certified training courses to count toward professional development.

Dr. Striegel said the Conserving Historic Structures curriculum developed by NCPTT has been popular and effective.

Dr. Morgan said a PTT Grant winner will host a webinar to offer training to Vanishing Treasures sites.

Mr. Weiss said NCPTT should partner with APT and its regional organizations, which are potentially a ripe training ground to host seminars on the Center’s programs and grants.

Mr. Cordell announced the Friends of NCPTT group has been officially incorporated and is moving towards 501(c)3 status with IRS. There is a Friends of NCPTT fund at NSU (formerly the J.Bennett Johnston fund). There are also funds with a Baton Rouge group ($13,000). The NSU alumni foundation can assist immediately for the Wingspread Conference. To apply for grants, the Board can advise Friends group to write grants. NSU cannot help with grant writing. The officers of the group are working on bylaws. Officers include, Pat Tiller, Norman Koonce, Thomas Whitehead, Saidee Newell and Sharon Gahagen.

Mr. Silman sees an opportunity to establish a corporate-sponsored foundation that can support heritage Education (i.e. the Exxon Foundation in Louisiana).

Heritage Education: Mr. Cordell presented the NCPTT Heritage Education program activities. The program is being retooled to account for the fact that there is no additional funding for it. Using funds returned to the state from teachers that left the area due to Hurricane Katrina, the program is working with Main Streets to expand the lessons already developed.

The program’s past lesson plans are being formatted in a consistent manner to be distributed on a wider scale.

Various NPS offices have “traveling trunks” that contain replicas of objects from the Park. The trunk is made available to schools to provide a tactile learning experience without them having to travel great distances. The Center is making a traveling trunk with handheld devices already loaded with lessons developed by the program.

Heritage Education is developing a Tel-Net course of tying interpretation of historic places to educational standards.

Budget: Mr. Ammons presented information on the budget. The board report includes line items on the budget. Costs for utilities have come under control due to a more “green” approach to NCPTT’s operations.

The green activities included more attention to programming environmental control, use of fluorescent bulbs, turning off unused lights in offices and getting rid of space heaters.

Due to increased fixed costs, the PTT Grants program is the only place where money can be cut.

Mr. Pahl asked if the Center would still meet its mission if it runs out of money for PTT Grants. Mr. Cordell indicated it would not.

BREAK & FIELD TRIP

PTT Grants: The meeting resumed with Dr. Striegel updating the board on the PTT Grants program. 137 pre-proposals were turned in this year. 78 were directly related to preservation technology.

Dr. Morgan said while final proposals haven’t been submitted, the chances of having on-mission proposals is much greater.

Mr. Cordell said featuring the Call prominently in NCPTT Notes may have helped along with a postcard mailing. The staff made calls to pre-proposal applicants within 24 hours of receiving them.

Mr. Weiss asked if staff is advising quality off-mission proposals of other grant opportunities. Dr. Morgan said the staff did offer ideas for other potential granting agencies and partners.

Mr. Cordell said the Center is interested in working with the PTT Board to simplify the review process, which is much more elaborate than required by law.

Mr. Weiss said he is interested in serving a panelist for grant review.

Dr. Bense said there are natural breaks in the quality of grants. Staff can score proposals as high, medium and low, then cut off proposals below one of the natural breaks and review based on the higher scorers.

Mr. Weiss said there should still be the consideration of research and geographic needs. Mr. Smith added there is a perception that cultural resources grants programs are not responsive to tribes.

Dr. Morgan said the tribal proposals are based in resource needs and not advancing preservation research.

Mr. Cordell said the NCPTT staff would winnow the proposals down to a manageable number of quality proposals; an independent panel would then make the ultimate selections.

Mr. Ammons asked if more selection should be performed in the pre-proposal stage in order to keep many people from taking the time to fill out a full application, leading to poor relations with these constituents.

Mr. Cordell said he was pleased with the new process so far and thanked the board for the idea at the spring board meeting.

Dr. Preusser moved to support the idea of letting NCPTT staff do initial review and let an independant panel make the final selections. Mr. Weiss seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Pahl suggested that applicants should have to write in their proposals how their project fulfills NCPTT’s mission. Those present agreed that this was a good idea.

Dr. Striegel wrapped up grants discussion by mentioning the Eastern Analytical Symposium later this month, which will feature NCPTT grantees as speakers.

Materials Research Program: Dr. Striegel began her report on the Materials Research program. Sarah Jackson’s paper on traditional limewash research will be recognized with the Tully award during the APT meeting.

The program’s study on cleaners for federally issued headstones with the National Cemetery Administration has been extended at Jefferson Barracks and Santa Fe.

The program has done two highly successful Cemetery Conservation Basics workshops. The recent Cemetery Conservation Workshop in Pensacola was the best-reviewed CMC workshop so far. Ground penetrating radar was the special focus. At total of ten cemetery monuments were repaired at St. Michaels cemetery as a result of this workshop.

Mr. Weiss said the logistics for the meeting were very good, with seminar space being adjacent to the cemetery.

Dr. Striegel said her program introduced a DVD on iron fence repair and translated its cemetery conservation DVD into Spanish.

Mr. Pahl said a bill recently passed asking the Army to repair the tomb of the unknown soldiers rather than replacing it. Mr. Foxall said the Army has decided to repair the crack in the stone.

Archeology and Collections: Dr. Bense recognized Dr. Morgan to present on the Archeology and Collections programs.

Dr. Morgan started with an update on research about consolidating bone fragments. A summer intern created an annotated bibliography of research.

The second year of Prospection in Depth training occured in June. Morgan modified the format to two weeks versus three weeks last year. More professionals attended the training, which was videotaped for training and marketing purposes.

The Louisiana National Guard has transferred money for the remote site surveillance workshop. Morgan would like to identify contacts of fitting partners for this project.

Funding was provided to SEAC for a workshop on heritage values.

The center is working to strategically market the program, beginning with mailing lists and developing focus areas and groups.

The program is looking a new technologies to research the age of mounds. Personal issues with one of the researchers have currently stalled the project.

Architecture and Engineering: Dr. Bense recognized Andy Ferrell to report on Architecture and Engineering. Mr. Ferrell said he would report on trades training rather than program activities, which are already outlined in the board report.

Trades training is not an obvious fit with the NCPTT mission. However, the research NCPTT fosters is meaningless without craftsmen to implement it in practice.

There is not a national leader for standardizing preservation trades. There are many curricula for preservation training at numerous levels, including high schools, colleges and vo-techs.

NCPTT has supported several innovative projects related to preservation trades over the years. Mr. Ferrell highlighted those projects and training programs.

Mr. Graham said the World Monuments Fund created a task force two years ago on preservation trades.

Mr. Weiss suggested Belmont Tech as a potential partner, since it is the country’s model preservation trades school.

Mr. Silman said the question of whether this idea is in NCPTT’s mission is one that should be thoroughly considered.

Mr. Weiss said there are already programs in preservation trades, which NCPTT could enhance through curriculum contributions. However, becoming a leader in this type of training is not necessarily something the Center should do.

Mr. Cordell said preservation trades has become a crisis for the field, so everyone in the field should contribute in some way. The Center can help in curriculum development. The success of the limewash project taught us that technology research is sometimes necessary for understanding historic materials.

Mr. Graham said the preservation trades summit mentioned in the heritage education section of the board report is an appropriate role of NCPTT.

Mr. Foxall said the Center should act as a clearinghouse that brings all the relevant partners and training together. Dr. Morgan said this was a suggestion that came up at the staff retreat, perhaps based on the archeological contractor model.

Mr. Weiss said the San Juan park training should serve as a model within the National Park Service. The Center will start with research on all the players, which should be incorporated into a clearinghouse.

Day Two

Dr. Bense opened the meeting by recognizing Paul Hartwig, associate director of NPS Cultural and Natural Resources, Partnerships and Interpretation. Mr. Hartwig stated the Southeast Region supports the Center’s important work and that he is glad to be in San Juan, where he served for five years.

Wingspread Conference: The meeting was turned over to Mr. Silman to discuss the Wingspread Conference. Mr. Silman is confident that the idea is solid, but is concerned about raising the funds for the event. He has discussed the idea with friends. One suggested Kykuit, a National Trust property funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation. It has only been open to the public for five years. The conference facilities are offered for free if the conference idea is accepted.

Mr. Silman has close ties to the National Trust, which has grants writers and organizational expertise for this kind of event. An alliance with the National Trust is a possibility for making this conference a reality, though their involvement may minimize the board’s role.

Mr. Foxall and Dr. Preusser agreed that the Trust is a good political ally.

Mr. Cordell said NCPTT has had successful joint projects with the National Trust in the past. He agrees with the assertion that the alliance would make the conference a reality but is also concerned about NCPTT’s name would be dwarfed.

Dr. Preusser suggested a memorandum of understanding or like document between the board and the Trust could help set the appropriate tone for the event. This would make sure NCPTT is given proper credit while taking advantage of the Trust’s large communications staff.

Mr. Garrison said the Trust would have to be involved with this conference to some extent just to sell the conference findings.

Mr. Pahl suggested the Trust might be willing to issue a grant for this event, which would ensure NCPTT’s name is associated in any publicity they issue.

Mr. Cordell will look into FACA requirements in this area.

Dr. Preusser moved to allow Mr. Silman to negotiate with the Trust. Mr. Foxall seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Preusser also said scientific research permeates the other categories identified as points of discussion: architecture, archeology and landscapes. The conference panelists should be structured as such.

Mr. Ferrell said he would forward to the board a white paper in which the National Trust defines sustainability.

The board reviewed the budget established at the previous meeting with the new Trust alliance in mind.

Mr. Silman will discuss these ideas with Dick Moe of the National Trust about the potential agreement. The board members still would like to see the conference findings be disseminated as a charter.

The board will have two subcommittees: one for fundraising and one for inviting participants. Mr. Koonce, Dr. Preusser, Mr. Pahl and Mr. Silman will work on the fundraising. Mr. Pahl pledged funding from his architecture firm for the conference.

Mr. Foxall will lead a team including Mr. Graham, Dr. Bense and Ms. Turner regarding event invites. Mr. Silman said invitees must be approached within nine months of the conference date. Invitations will have to be out by February 2008.

The group agreed that Nov. 6-8 would be the dates for the conference. The board meeting will potentially be reduced to one day.

Mr. Silman will forward the budget to the board. Fundraising will be an immediate action item.

Historic Landscapes: Debbie Smith, NCPTT’s new historic landscapes chief, presented her work with the Center. She is working on an electronic management system for historic sites in conjunction with the Materials Research program. It will be compatible with the National Park Service Facility Management software. Its components include an inventory assessment handheld system and maintenance database.

The online historic landscape bibliography will be included on the NCPTT website.

She is in the early stages of developing a preservation workshop focusing on vegetation issues in cemeteries. A series of videos on maintaining historic landscapes is in the concept stage as well.

Ms. Smith presented a slideshow showing the progression of the Lee H. Nelson landscape plan. The implementation had two phases and included new sidewalks.

Mr. Weiss asked is there was a correlation to the cemetery landscapes workshops that the Chicora Foundation presents. Dr. Striegel said Chicora focuses on basic landscape care, such as using lawnmowers around cemetery monuments.

Mr. Hartwig asked if there was any historic bearing on this plan. Mr. Ferrell said the Olmsted Center provided an initial plan, though there was little meaningful history related to the landscape. Mr. Cordell described the result as “historically informed.”

Mr. Garrison encouraged Ms. Smith to keep her historic landscapes focus on her cemetery work, rather than drifting into the realm of “cultural resource” site viewpoint.

Drs. Morgan and Striegel presented an analysis of the Center’s training. The spreadsheet in the board report includes costs for staff time only for the MRP program. Other programs did not include this cost.

Dr. Morgan said his program played with the costs of his training event. He is now looking to poll the professionals he is targeting to make programmatic charges.

Mr. Cordell said NCPTT programs do this to a certain extent by continually examining instructors, location and course length. On the other hand, NCPTT is a government agency that has a greater objective of meeting underserved preservation needs.

Dr. Morgan said archeologists don’t have continuing education incentives to get them to go to trainings. His approach to marketing his training will be to target archeological contracting companies, which have expressed great interest if course dates and details are established with more lead time.

Preserve America: Mr. Cordell proceeded to discuss the Preserve America Initiative, in which NCPTT has been identified as the leader of a potential clearinghouse. The idea of a preservation clearinghouse was envisioned in the original concept of NCPTT.

Center staff took two to three weeks to craft the clearinghouse concept. Mr. Smith said the Center’s proposal is among the most thought-out among those he has seen. Where the budget will come from is still under discussion.

Mr. Cordell said this directive couldn’t be accomplished without significant political will and budget commitment. These are major hurdles.

Mr. Hartwig said tying this proposal into the NPS Centennial initiative might help matters since NPS also wishes to re-establish its leadership role. The clearinghouse may be a tool to accomplish this.

Dr. Bense commended the staff for putting substantial time and thought into an initiative that is essentially a gamble. She offered the board’s help

Wrap-up Discussion: Dr. Preusser suggested that the board’s time may be put to more efficient use if their meetings shifted toward more topical matters rather than listening to reports from the programs. He said he can read those from the board report.

Mr. Smith said that issues like the Wingspread Conference need more in-depth discussion at these meetings.

Mr. Graham and Dr. Preusser liked Mr. Ferrell’s presentation, which focused on one specific issue for the board to discuss.

Mr. Cordell said the staff has no special need to present its program activities. The decision for this is up to the board.

Dr. Bense said the next meeting is an ideal starting point for this.

The board identified March 17-18 as the dates for the next meeting. Backup dates are April 14-15. Mr. Cordell will follow up with the board when he returns to Natchitoches.

The meeting adjourned at 11:58 a.m.

Organizational Chart

Staff List

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
645 University Parkway
Natchitoches, LA 71457

(318) 356-7444 main phone
(318) 356-9119 facsimile

Kevin Ammons Administrative Officer (318) 356-7444 ext. 263	Mary Bistodeau Receptionist (318) 356-7444 ext. 221
Anna Breaux Information Technology Intern (318)356-7444 ext. 239	Jason Church Materials Conservator (318) 356-7444 ext. 236
Sean Clifford Web Developer (318) 356-7444 ext. 240	Kirk A. Cordell Executive Director (318) 356-7444 ext. 222
Lance Ellis Information Technology Administrator (318) 356-7444 ext. 241	Christine Faith Heritage Education Coordinator (318) 356-7444 ext. 262
Andy Ferrell Chief, Architecture & Engineering Program (318) 356-7444 ext. 256	Jeffery Guin Marketing Manager (318) 356-7444 ext. 246
Sarah Jackson Architectural Conservator (318) 356-7444 ext. 255	David Morgan, Ph.D Chief, Archeology & Collections (318) 356-7444 ext. 256
Mary Ellen Servello Executive Secretary (318) 356-7444 ext. 238	Catherine Situma Joint-Faculty Researcher (318) 356-7444 ext. 237
Deborah Dietrich Smith Chief, Landscape Architecture (318) 356-7444 ext. 259	Mary F. Striegel, Ph.D. Chief, Materials Research Program (318) 356-7444 ext. 224

Strategic Plan

NCPTT Strategic Plan
DRAFT Outline
March 19, 2007

1. IntroductionThe purpose of the NCPTT strategic plan is to create a guidance document that assists management in making sound choices about the use of National Park Service resources towards meeting the Center’s legislated mission. The strategic plan offers a shared vision and a roadmap for achieving that vision. NCPTT undertook the task of revising and drafting a new strategic plan in Fiscal Year 2007. Staff began the strategic planning process by reviewing past efforts to create a strategic plan for the Center. This effort included reviewing notes and outlines created in the 2003 NCPTT staff retreat, along with the Office of Technology Assessment report on preservation technology, NCPTT’s enabling legislation, and the Center’s mission statement. Staff also studied the Center’s role within the National Park Service Cultural Resources Division and pondered its relationship to the National Park Service strategic plan. A staff retreat was held August 21-23, 2007 in Natchez, Ms., to elucidate key elements within the new strategic plan.While many things have changed at NCPTT since 2003, the legislated mandates and the mission statement have not changed. This plan, grounded in our legislation and mission, will provide the framework within which programmatic and financial decisions can be made in the coming years. Individual staff work plans will detail annual tasks and responsibilities that will ensure progress in implementing the strategies listed in the plan.
2. Background of NCPTT
   1. Founding of the Center
      1. Office of Technology Assessment ReportNCPTT has its beginnings in “Technologies for Prehistoric and Historic Preservation,” the Office of Technology Assessment, U.S. Congress published in September 1986. This report was requested by the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to assess preservation technologies and their use by federal agencies in the implementation of laws relating to prehistoric and historic preservation. Among the major findings of this report was the need for:
         • Training in the use of technologies,
         • Studying ways to apply known technologies to preservation problems,
         • Improving information sharing and coordination,
         • Finding the appropriate fit of technologies to preservation problems,
         • Reducing the costs of new technologies, and
         • Developing standards for the application of new technologies.

         The report cited the critical need to establish a federally funded institution as a mechanism to coordinate research, disseminate information and provide training about new technologies in preservation.

      2. National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1992 (Title XL of Public Law 102-575 [October 30, 1992])16 U.S.C. 470x-2, Sec. 403NCPTT was established by an act of U.S. Congress with the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1992. In Sections 403 through 407 of this public law, legislators established the National Center within the Department of Interior on the campus of Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, La. The amendments defined the National Center’s purposes, established the Preservation Technology and Training advisory board, created the Preservation Technology and Training Grants program, provided governance regarding grants awards, acceptance of funds, and authorized Federal appropriations.
      3. Establishment of the CenterBeginning in July 1993, the National Park Service, the Secretary of the Interior and Northwestern State University of Louisiana began efforts to implement the purposes of the legislation. The first acting Executive Director of NCPTT was E. Blaine Cliver, Chief of the Preservation Assistance Division, NPS. The Center and its advisory board were organized throughout 1993 and 1994. In April 1994, a symposium was held on the Center’s overall mission and proposed research, training, and information management activities.Charter members of the PTT Board were Elizabeth A. Lyon, Robert Melnick, Neville Agnew, Nicholas Gianopulos, Jon Gibson, Alferdteen Harrison, James Huhta, James Judge, F. Blair Reeves, Carolyn Rose, Frank E. Sanchis, III, and Patti Jo Watson.In 1994, NCPTT initiated its PTT Grants program and awarded over $500,000 through 15 grants. Grants ranged from studies of woody plants in historic landscapes, to energy performance of wood windows. Nine grants funded research efforts while six grants supported training activities.

         Beginning in October 1994 the Center was staffed. John Robbins, a preservation architect, was hired as NCPTT’s Executive Director. Other founding staff members included Mary S. Carroll, Frances Gale, Mark Gilberg, Ellen Kish, and Mary F. Striegel. Over the course of the next seven years, the staff implemented NCPTT’s mission through three components – research, training, and information management. The work focused on innovative practical solutions to current preservation and conservation questions.

      4. Dedication of Lee H. Nelson Hall and ForumOn November 7, 2001, NCPTT dedicated its current facility, Lee H. Nelson Hall located on the campus of Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, La. The building was completed and served as the new offices and laboratories after a long renovation and recovery from a devastating fire. Nearly 200 guests and dignitaries gathered on the south lawn for the building’s formal dedication.Immediately following, NPS held a two-day Forum, “Charting NCPTT’s Role in Preserving America’s Heritage in the 21st Century.” Recognizing the successes of NCPTT’s first decade, forty prominent preservation and conservation professionals from across the country joined NPS leadership to lay the foundation for NCPTT’s second decade. The findings of the forum focused NCPTT on the following concepts:
         • Place first and foremost emphasis on preservation technology research.
         • Focus research on a limited number of topics as defined through research priorities.
         • Create strategic partnerships to leverage resources and carry out projects of mutual interest.
         • Serve the preservation community as a knowledge center and on-line resource.
         • Define NCPTT’s core audiences.
         • Serve as a convener of experts to tackle a variety of preservation problems.
         • Push the envelope in historic preservation education, training, and research through applications of emerging telecommunications and Web-enabled technologies.
   2. Who We Are
      1. NCPTT is a research, technology, and training center of the National Park Service located within the US Department of Interior. NCPTT is part of the NPS Washington Support Office and is under the direction of the Associate Director for Cultural Resources.
   3. Purposes of the CenterSection 403 of Title IV of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470x-2) formally established the National Center. In order to give the National Center direction and purpose, Part B of the section lays out these broad tasks:
      1. develop and distribute preservation and conservation skills and technologies for the identification, evaluation, conservation, and interpretation of prehistoric and historic resources;
      2. develop and facilitate training for Federal, State and local resource preservation professionals, cultural resource managers, maintenance personnel, and others working in the preservation field;
      3. take steps to apply preservation technology benefits from ongoing research by other agencies and institutions;Facilitate the transfer of preservation technology among Federal agencies, State and local governments, universities, international organizations, and the private sector
      4. cooperate with related international organizations including, but not limited to the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the International Center for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, and the International Council on Museums.

      The National Center thus is directed by Congress to work with international organizations and others to develop and apply preservation technologies for prehistoric and historic resources, and Congress further instructs the National Center to distribute and train others in the use of those technologies. In short, the mission of the National Center can be pared down to three core areas: research, training, and partnering.

   4. Based on the 2001 dedication and forum, the following recommendations were adopted -
      1. Research PrioritiesNCPTT establishes, evaluates and regularly updates a series of research priorities that direct the work of NCPTT through its in-house and cooperative agreements. The priorities also serve as a filter or rating system for the grants program in order to more effectively direct the center’s work. Between 70-80% of the center’s resources are focused toward research and training targeted by the research priorities. Remaining resources are reserved for opportunities that arise in any given year.
      2. Serving as ConvenerNCPTT serves as a convener by calling together groups of leading authorities on certain preservation technology research topics or issues for discussion, advice, guidance-all possibly resulting in publications of proceedings and/or papers.
      3. Knowledge CenterNCPTT creates, maintains, and regularly modifies a Knowledge Center to keep preservationists and researchers abreast of innovative preservation technology and research. This is primarily a web-based function and incorporates a wide range of media.
      4. Training Develops Out of ResearchNCPTT emphasizes the development of training events drawing from recent advances in research and technology. Efforts are made to maximize technology transfer from both in-house research and research efforts through grants and partnerships.
3. Mission StatementNCPTT advances the application of science and technology to historic preservation. Working in the fields of archeology, architecture, landscape architecture and materials conservation, the Center accomplishes its mission through training, education, research, technology transfer and partnerships.
4. Stakeholders
   1. NCPTT serves a broad audience of individuals, institutions, and organizations that preserve cultural resources. Through specific enabling legislation, NCPTT enters into cooperative agreements, project agreements, memorandums of understanding and grants. NCPTT works primarily with preservation groups and organizations, preservation methods research teams and other government agencies working in preservation. NCPTT’s enabling legislation specifically names preservation organizations such as the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the International Center for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, and the International Council on Museums as appropriate partners for The Center. Grants allow The Center an excellent opportunity to support the furthering of preservation technology. The laser spectrometry grant project with Mississippi State University is an example of one such mutually beneficial relationship. (OR, insert the url to the grants web page for folks to see current examples).
   2. The work of NCPTT directly benefits practicing professionals in fields of architecture, landscape architecture, heritage education, archaeology, and materials conservation. Through direct research done at NCPTT, NCPTT grant-supported research and professional affiliations, NCPTT maintains a position unique in the preservation community. NCPTT can both generate new knowledge and assimilate existing knowledge into best practices. These best practices can then be disseminated out to the preservation community at large, empowering preservation professionals with the most current information and most effective techniques. This dissemination can take place through workshops, newsletters, speaking engagements and publications.
5. Strategic Goals/Objectives/Tasks
   1. 1. Research
         1. Establish and maintain relevant research priorities.NCPTT maintains current research priorities that are re-evaluated every 3-5 years. In December 2007 the following modified research priorities were offered:NCPTT supports and develops innovative preservation technologies that -
            • Preserve cemeteries and places of worship,
            • Safeguard resources from effects of pollution and climate change,
            • Conserve cultural resources of the “recent past”
            • Monitor and evaluate preservation treatments,
            • Protect cultural resources against natural and human threats, and
            • Investigate minimally invasive techniques to inventory and assess cultural resources.
         2. Maintain well equipped research facilities.NCPTT maintains and or adds scientific equipment to its research facilities based on research activities and analytical needs to meet the mission of the center. An emphasis on portable analytical equipment that can be used both in field and laboratory settings are one priority.
         3. Establish program for visiting scholars.While NCPTT operates an annual summer internship program, training for new and mid career preservation professionals and conservation scientist continues to be a national need. NCPTT will establish a visiting scholars program that will allow young professionals and opportunity to work on advanced preservation research problems under the tutelage of the NCPTT staff. The program may include participation on a series of NCPTT training events, development and implementation of a experimental design, or extensive field work.
      2. Training
         1. Develop 5-7 TEL courses per year.The Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Network is the mechanism the National Park Service uses to provide thousands of employees with competency-based training at or near their worksite via over 230 receiving stations. TEL courses provide NCPTT an unparalleled opportunity to provide training within the agency. This is an extremely cost-effective way to transfer preservation technology information, while simultaneously increasing our visibility within the service. The latter, in turn, facilitates greater partnership, training, and cooperative opportunities. If each program area at NCPTT can design a TEL course at least once every four years, within five years NCPTT will be able to offer a core TEL curriculum composed of 5-7 courses.
         2. Increase training events by 25 percent.By 2012 NCPTT intends to increase the number of training opportunities offered by 25 percent, so that the National Center may better facilitate the transfer of preservation technologies and benefits. These opportunities will include traditional face-to-face training events, like workshops, as well as more diverse training styles, such as webinars and TEL courses. The increased count of training events will include both the design of novel courses and the repeat offering and refinement of established training events.
         3. Develop a scholarship program for NCPTT training.High quality training is expensive. While Congress directs the National Center to work with professionals in the preservation community, NCPTT training is available to students and young professionals, both of whom may find that the cost of training exceeds their means. By 2012 NCPTT intends to establish a formal scholarship program that will offer fiscal assistance to those in need, so that training is more accessible across economic levels. The program will include mechanisms for on-line application, standards for submission review and evaluation, and uniform feedback/award protocols.
         4. Facilitate preservation trades training.College and graduate school have become almost mandatory parts of education in the U.S. ever since the passage of the G.I. Bill. Consequently fewer and fewer youth enter trades training, and knowledge of the preservation trades has declined precipitously since 1950. This training is essential to the proper maintenance and preservation of many types of cultural resources. NCPTT therefore seeks to partner with other concerned organizations in order to foster the growth of preservation trades training through the development of training for administrators and educators on how to implement preservation trades curricula.
         5. Start a fellowship program.Over the next decade NCPTT will implement a fellowship program whose goal is to provide opportunities for advanced study to exceptional professionals who will use this education to become experts and leaders in the use, development, and application of preservation technology. A short term goal is to identify an acclaimed, established program whose structure may be adapted and modeled to fit NCPTT’s mission. A mid-range goal is to develop a formal course of training and curricular structure into which teaching modules may be fitted. Likewise, another mid-range goal is to integrate the fellowship program into NCPTT’s infrastructure (e.g., office and laboratory standard operating procedures) and into NCPTT’s growing alumni network plan.
      3. Dissemination
         1. Develop Technology Briefs that provide how-to explanations of technical subjects within the Center’s purview.
         2. Develop short-courses in preservation topics that appeal to a large audience and further preservation practices. These courses will benefit from the wealth of data and information available at NCPTT, bringing this information to preservationists that otherwise might remain unaware of innovations in preservation technology.
         3. Create two-directional flows of information between Heritage Education and the other four program areas, Materials Conservation, Historic Landscapes, Architecture and Engineering and Archaeology. Use this information flow to generate appropriate learning material for young learners, while proving the other programs the opportunity to reach an audience they might otherwise have difficulty reaching. Use Heritage Education to support the dissemination of information from the other project areas.
   2. Serve as a Convener
      1. Due to the amount of information held at The Center, both in media and in institutional knowledge, NCPTT is a suitable host to convene subject matter experts in all facets of preservation. NCPTT can serve to define the most pressing preservation issues, bring together those that have significant contributions on the topic, and turn that generated knowledge back out the balance of the preservation community.
      2. NCPTT is able to assess the current state of topic knowledge in a given area of study within preservation. Due to the depth of staff knowledge within The Center, NCPTT is able to determine where information gaps exist, and what type of information would be most appropriate to supplement the body of topic knowledge.
   3. Improve access to information on preservation technology
      1. A Preservation Technology National Conference would provide a platform to feature NCPTT’s ongoing contribution to the field of preservation and foster networking among researchers.
      2. A NCPTT Publication Series would include professionally designed and printed books and white papers, improving NCPTT’s image and the credibility of its research.
      3. NCPTT’s new social media initiative and content management system will allow staff to more easily post information to the web, increasing the Center’s online presence by 60 percent.
      4. NCPTT will identify subjects from its research that are appropriate for the conferences its staff attends and pitch preservation technology sessions to conference organizers.
      5. Create documents on preservation issues for state and government decision makers.
      6. A preservation technology wiki will serve as a collaborative center of research to leverage the efforts of researchers and showcase projects NCPTT has supported.
      7. NCPTT will use online subscriptions services like RSS and e-mail newsletters to provide easy access to its newest information electronically.
   4. Increase awareness of NCPTT’s Services/Resources
      1. Increase and build stronger partnerships with NPS parks and training centers through joint trainings and research activities. Develop a brochure series that specifically target preservation issues within NPS parks and promote NCPTT services and resources at NPS sponsored conferences and workshops.
      2. Increase presence among preservation professionals through trainings and research projects that address preservation topics of interest to a wide audience. Promote NCPTT services and resources at major preservation conferences and workshops.
      3. Increase presence in underserved populations through training and research projects that target preservation issues relevant to these groups.
      4. Increase media presence through the creation of an online newsroom that includes press releases, contact information, background information, training calendar, photo archive, NCPTT notes articles, etc.
      5. Develop an NCPTT alumni program that fosters an ongoing relationships between current and former NCPTT colleagues and interns. Support the program through activities such as an e-mail newsletter and a blog.
   5. Effective administration of NCPTT’s programs and activities
      1. Explore strategies to create a greener officeNCPTT will develop a ‘green team’ charged with improving the environmental performance of Lee H. Nelson Hall and office operations. The team will investigate strategies to reduce energy consumption and reduce office waste by implementing recycling and /or composting programs. The team may seek consultation with energy efficiency and other “green” experts.
      2. Assess cost effective alternatives to travel
         1. Investigate alternatives to face-to-face professional meetings/trainings.NCPTT will evaluate and establish alternative means to convene professionals and disseminate information. These activities may include a wide range of internet social media such as blogs, internet networking, visual communications, podcasts, vodcasts, RSS web feeds, internet seminars, and others. NCPTT will also look at web-based meetings and satellite video connections.
         2. Evaluate alternatives to biannual PTT board meetings.Due to rising fuel and travel costs, as well as ever tightening federal travel restrictions, NCPTT must investigate economical ways to host board meetings. Cost cutting actions may include purchase of non-refundable tickets, careful consideration and selection of locations, and streamlined meeting agendas. Additionally, NCPTT may limit face-to-face PTT Board meetings to once a year and/or substitute web-based meetings for one meeting a year.
      3. Devise an IT strategic plan
         1. Develop an intranet system to track all cooperative agreements, grants, training, and related materials from 1994 to present.
         2. Manage and maintain security, data storage and disaster recovery of all NCPTT electronic data.
         3. Continue to provide NCPTT staff and surrounding offices with technologically advanced training environment.
         4. Maintain cutting edge electronic tools for staff to enhance their productivity.
      4. Improve administration
         1. Facilitate inter-programmatic cooperation by facilitating interaction between staff and by assisting with contractors, contracting staff, cooperative agreements, purchasing, etc.
         2. Increase training opportunities for NCPTT staff to keep them abreast of emerging preservation technology applications and current on professional standards.
         3. Keep up to date on evolving contracting guidelines and other pertinent administrative regulations.
      5. Improve PTT Grants [how? - more detail]NCPTT will undertake a thorough review of PTT Grants program towards streamlining the grants process to make it more efficient for applicants and grants managers. Working as a team, grants managers, marketing and database developers will clarify and refine the entire process from initial planning through grants management to create one unified, coherent, and easy to use system. Staff will carefully review the success of research priorities in focusing proposals, and work to improve their effectiveness.
      6. Support the development of a Cooperative AssociationThe National Center has an immediate need to ally itself with a non-profit friends group that can provide flexibility and support in conducting NCPTT programs, especially in sectors of operations that are difficult to do within the federal government. To this end community and national leaders in preservation incorporated Friends of NCPTT on October 23, 2007. NCPTT has identified several short-term plans for cooperating with the newly formed Cooperative Association.
         1. Identify the immediate needs of NCPTT.NCPTT will work closely with the Friends of NCPTT to help them identify in detail the areas in which the fulfillment of the National Center’s Congressional mission is difficult to achieve given the restrictions placed on federal activities. Historically NCPTT has faced significant difficulties in handling funds for training events, such as receiving tuition, paying external instructors, and arranging food service. It also has faced similar administrative difficulties concerning the distribution of printed publications.
         2. Partner with the Friends of NCPTT, Inc. in mutual ventures.Beyond immediate administrative needs, in the next five years NCPTT will work with the Cooperative Association to identify common goals that can best be achieved through mutual effort. NCPTT intends to make staff expertise available as necessary and proper to achieve this goal. One ten-year goal is to identify staffing positions that would compliment those currently filled at NCPTT, so that NCPTT can better address the needs of the preservation community. Another is to identify specific opportunities that can be achieved only through a capital campaign, such as infrastructural development enabling NCPTT to achieve its function as an information clearinghouse, as called for Congressionally and as part of the Preserve America outcomes.

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