http://www2.starexponent.com/news/2011/oct/06/symposium-inform-about-historic-masonry-restoratio-ar-1362697/ Symposium to inform about historic masonry restoration By Rhonda Simmons Culpeper Star Exponent October 6, 2011 Page 1 The 5.8-magnitude earthquake in August not only rattled a few historic structures in Culpeper, the shocking tremor also forced local officials to make difficult decisions of whether to tear down an old building steeped in rich history. Just a few days after the Aug. 23 earthquake, a decision was made to demolish the heavily damaged Levy building on Main Street. As a potential option, the Germanna Foundation, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Germanna Community College and Preservation Virginia want to help folks with alternatives on how to preserve old damaged structures. These organizations will host a Historic Masonry Restoration Symposium at the circa 1756 Salubria manor, located about seven miles east of the town of Culpeper off of Route 3 in Stevensburg, on Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of admission is $20, which includes lunch. “This symposium will provide very helpful professional insight into repair of earthquake-damaged historic masonry,” said Kathy Ellis, Germanna Foundation trustee. According to organizers, this event is geared toward owners of historic masonry buildings that endured damage in the earthquake on Aug. 23 or from another natural cause. “Homeowners, general contractors, building managers, masons, architectural historians, planners, students of cultural history and all those who admire fine historic brickwork will be captivated by this insightful educational event,” said Karen Quanbeck, Germanna Foundation executive director. Quanbeck added that the symposium will also focus on the most suitable restoration techniques to repair the recent earthquake damage to the historic masonry of Salubria. Both of Salubria’s 19-foot high chimneys suffered extensive damage during the Aug. 23 earthquake. The tremors also created several “significant stress cracks on the manor’s second floor walls,” she said. Owned by the Memorial Foundation of Germanna Colonies in Virginia, Inc., Rev. John Thompson of Little Fork Church built the 3,600-square-foot house for his wife, Lady Buter Brayne Spotswood Thompson, the widow of Virginia governor Alexander Spotswood. Other topics of the symposium will include an introduction to “The Lime Cycle” and authentic 18th century Virginia brick masonry techniques, a variety of lime mortars, putties, stuccoes and paints; demonstrations of lime slaking; stress crack repair with casein mortar injection, broken brick replacement, repointing and rebuilding of ruptured chimney stacks, custom replica brick manufacturing, historic repointing demonstrations, finish dressing for new joint work and critical fall weather protection for curing lime mortar. Jimmy and Jeffrey Price of Price Masonry and representatives from Virginia Lime Works will provide several hands-on techniques and demonstrations for repairing masonry. Tim Winther of Crest Hill Stoneworks and Jason Whitehead of Custom Brickmaker will also contribute to the informational sessions. Master craftsman Gordon Lohr, a noted Virginia building historian, will also demonstrate wood planning techniques and discuss details of the upcoming restoration work on Salubria’s windows. Well-known architect Doug Harnsberger, a published architectural historian, will serve as the event’s facilitator. Want to go? What: Historic Masonry Restoration Symposium Where: Salubria, 19000 Salubria Lane, off of Route 3 in Stevensburg about seven miles east of the town of Culpeper When: Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $20 (includes lunch) To register visit www.germanna.org/node/445 or call the Germanna Foundation at 423-1700. Pre-registration is encouraged as seating is limited.