Heritage Conservation talks at Highwic

September 20, 2013

Heritage Conservation talks at Highwic

A series of three heritage conservation talks will be held at Highwic, the NZ Historic Places Trust property in Newmarket, as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival (Sept 28-Oct 13).

The series, organised by the NZHPT, will focus on three different aspects of conservation offering something for everyone. Entry to the talks will be by donation.

First up in the series is Worker of Lead (October 3, 6-7pm) featuring master plumber Chris Smart of Smart Plumbing – a craftsman who specialises in working with traditional plumbing materials.

“Chris is not your average plumber,” says the Manager of Highwic, Cheryl Laurie.

“Heritage building materials – like cast iron, lead and copper – require specialist knowledge and technique, and Chris is one of the best in his field. Chris will share some of his knowledge and talk about some of the heritage buildings he has worked on over the years.”

Conservation of a very different kind will be the focus of another talk in the series entitled Saving Your Past (October 6, 3-4.30pm). Presented by book conservator Paul Taylor, the presentation will look at the long-term care of books, paper and photographs in the home.

“Paul is an internationally experienced book conservator. His presentation will include an illustrated talk, incorporating a short history of books as well as reference to restoration of a family Bible and his experience with the Domesday Book in National Archives UK,” says Cheryl.

“People are invited to bring their own material for individual advice from Paul. They should also be prepared to be fascinated and enlightened on the long-term care of family treasures like books, documents and other paper-based items.”

The third talk in the conservation series will feature Blair Hastings, who recently managed the repainting of Highwic, as well as a programme of intensive capital works aimed at keeping the building in sound condition for another 100 years.

Entitled Creating Highwic’s New Colours, Blair’s talk will take place on October 10 (6-7pm).

“Repainting a nationally significant heritage building like Highwic is not just a case of slapping on some paint. A lot of research and assessment had to take place in order to ensure historical accuracy – and that the best possible conservation work was carried out,” says Cheryl.

“Highwic’s colour scheme was carefully researched from analysis of old paint samples, and a similar level of meticulous research was undertaken for the interior as well – right down to the new carpet, which was designed especially for Highwic by a designer who had access to the Kidderminster carpet archive in Britain.

“As well as providing fascinating insights into the work that has taken place at Highwic, Blair’s talk will also present a wonderful opportunity for people who haven’t yet seen the new-look / old-look Highwic to come in and experience it for themselves.”

• Worker of Lead: Highwic, October 3, 6-7pm
• Saving Your Past: Highwic, October 6, 3-4.30pm
• Creating Highwic’s New Colours: Highwic, October 10, 6-7pm

ENDS

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