Overview

Thinking Through Water, Air, and Temperature Issues in Historic Structures, August 26 - August 29, Grand Teton National Park

The interaction between airflow, water vapor, liquid water, and heat (or lack of heat) in and around a historic building directly relate to its longevity, performance, and comfort. When these interactions are altered through a change in materials, use, or design, unintended damage can result. In Water, Air, and Temperature Issues, students explore and experiment with how these three elements behave and influence each other in historic structures and how to manage them to maintain the health and use of buildings. Through discussion, labs, field exercises, and case studies, participants identify building deterioration as a function of water, air, and heat movement; solve problems caused by well-intended but improper treatments; and evaluate options for retrofit in keeping with NPS preservation standards. Participants are encouraged to bring air, water, and heat issues from their home regions for discussion and group problem solving.

Tuition

Tuition for BEST Workshops is collected by the Historic Preservation Training Center's Partner, Preservation Maryland/The Campaign for Historic Trades through this platform, The Campaign for Historic Trades' Learning Management System Elevate, all parties are 899-B compliant. 

Upon check out, please use the following codes if you fall into the appropriate category. 

BESTStudent600: This code is for student trainees to pay a discounted tuition amount of $50. You are eligible for this tuition rate if you are a college or university student enrolled at least half time in an accredited institution. Do not purchase this ticket if you are not a college/university student trainee. You should only purchase one ticket per workshop.

Refunds are available within 30 days of the start of the BEST Workshop. Please note that refunds will not include a processing fee. 

Email confirmation will be sent via learn@historictrades.org. Check your spam folder if you do not receive an email registration confirmation.

Location and Travel for Workshop

The workshop will be held at White Grass Ranch, Grand Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, WY.  The closest town is Jackson, WY. The closest airport is Jackson Hole Airport, WY.

Workshops in Grand Teton National Park are held at White Grass Ranch, a rehabilitated historic dude ranch. During these workshops, there is an option for shared lodging at the ranch.

Lodging at White Grass is free, however, our partner - Preservation Maryland/The Campaign for Historic Trades - charges a flat $250/person fee for those staying at the ranch to cover the materials, supplies and equipment that they use to provide an excellent training experience. This is not $250/day! Your $250 flat fee is for the entire workshop that you are attending. We will contact you after you submit your registration 2-4 weeks before the workshop with a link to pay this venue use fee, as well as additional information about staying at White Grass. Purchase cards will be used to complete this payment.

For all workshops, check in is between 3-6pm the day before the workshops starts, with a mandatory orientation at 6:15. Check out is by 9am the day after the workshop ends. For example, if the workshop is Tuesday, June 3 to Thursday June 6, check in is on Monday, June 2 from 3-6 pm, and check out in before 9 am on Friday, June 7. There are no early or extended stays at the ranch.

Helpful Information before Submitting your Preference:
• Cabins have bathrooms, running water, electricity, and heat.
• Cabins are shared occupancy - you may be sharing a room and/or bathroom with other trainees
• The kitchen in the main cabin is shared
• Meals are the responsibility of the trainee. Be prepared to cook meals - there are no restaurants close to White Grass and traffic in the summer makes traveling to nearby communities prohibitive
• White Grass guests must arrive by 6 PM the day prior to the workshop and depart by 9 AM the day following the workshop
• Guests are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the ranch
• The ranch is not accessible via public transportation and there are limited ride-sharing/ taxi services in the area
• Search "White Grass Dude Ranch" in Google Maps to see the ranch's location within Grand Teton NP and the larger area.
• White Grass will only be accessible from the south entrance station for 2024 (near Teton Village). The north section of the Moose-Wilson Road will be closed during the week

All students are independently responsible for finding, booking, and paying for all travel, transportation, and lodging. BEST Workshops do not assist with travel. 

About the Brick Earth Stone and Timber (BEST) Preservation Workshop Series 

The BEST Preservation Workshop Series trains National Park Service (NPS) employees at all levels in the preservation of traditionally built historic resources using problem-based and hands-on learning. Participants should be prepared to think critically, make mistakes, and experiment – both physically and mentally – with materials and concepts at the workshop.

While our workshops are focused on NPS resources and geared toward NPS workers, they are open to all government, public, and private sector trainees. 

Workshop Series Progression

BEST Workshops build on one another, following the natural progression of a historic preservation project. Listed below, this progression identifies major categories that take a project from concept to reality, and from design to implementation. 

Inquiry:

Students learn the basics of historic preservation principles and standards. These workshops are strongly recommended for all students before taking more advanced courses. 

Documentation & Investigation:

Students learn how to research historic resources and record existing conditions in the field, as well practice problem-solving strategies for identifying and understanding deterioration problems and quantifying their potential impact.

Treatment:

Students explore building technology, condition assessment, treatment, and conservation science of major traditional building materials. Treatment workshops are hands-on and split between the classroom and the field.

Maintenance & Monitoring:

Students learn the methods and best practices for continued stewardship of historic resources after their preservation, including how to evaluate treatments, write and follow maintenance and lifecycle plans, and bring historic resources into asset management programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BEST Preservation Workshop Series?

The BEST Preservation Workshop Series instructs students of all levels in the preservation of traditionally built historic resources using problem-based and hands-on learning. Participants should be prepared to think critically, make mistakes, and experiment – both physically and mentally – with materials and concepts at the workshop.

Who can take a course?

Workshops are open to anyone who is interested: federal, state, and local government employees; private sector contractors, consultants, architects, and design professionals; students; nonprofit employees; and homeowners.

What is the cost per course? 

Tuition costs vary between workshops. See individual workshop page for tuition. You are not enrolled in a workshop until you have paid tuition. Because workshops fill up fast, we encourage you to register as soon as possible. Refunds are available up to 30 days before the workshop.

Who do I talk to about an accommodation?

If you are a person with a disability and you need accommodations, please contact us after you have registered and at least 3 weeks before the workshops at BEST_preservation@nps.gov or (307) 739-3571. 

Is there lodging available at White Grass Ranch?

Workshops in Grand Teton National Park are held at White Grass Ranch, a rehabilitated historic dude ranch. During these workshops, there is limited shared housing at the ranch. Those staying at White Grass pay a flat $250/person/workshop venue use fee, collected by our partner. Indicate at check out of you prefer to stay at the White Grass Ranch while attending training in Grand Teton National Park.

What if I need to have my registration canceled/refunded?

You have the availability to cancel your registration through contacting BEST_Preservation@nps.gov with the subject line REFUND REQUEST, and your request with the event name and any details within the email body. The Campaign can process refund requests UP TO fourteen days before the start date of the event. No refunds will be issued in the fourteen days before the start date of the event. Our payment processer will deduct processing fees from your total refund amount. Funds will appear in your account within 30 days of the refund being processed.

Speaker(s)