Northeast Regional Initiative for the Preservation Trades

This four-state research collaboration aims to develop recommendations for how statewide preservation nonprofit organizations in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine can advance the training and placement of historic preservation tradespeople (such as carpenters, masons, and other workers with traditional skills) and create a more robust, diverse, and sustainable workforce.

The Northeast region is currently experiencing a workforce shortage of preservation tradespeople, limiting means for historic buildings – whether notable or “everyday” – to be maintained, improved, and adapted to current needs. This problem has been exacerbated by a variety of factors: the increasing number of buildings at a critical age for repairs, the widespread retirement of existing tradespeople, and rural in-migration trends across the Northeast region increasing labor demand. Historic preservation not only contributes to a local sense of place and connections to heritage, but it can also be an important environmental sustainability strategy toward climate change mitigation and resource conservation.

Are you engaged with preservation trades in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine?

Whether you are a current or retired tradesperson, a preservation advocate, a trades student, a historic property owner, or someone else connected to this area of work, we are interested in hearing from you about your experiences and perspectives pertaining to the preservation trades workforce.

Click here to learn more about this project.

The project is funded by a grant from the Moe Family Fund for Statewide and Local Partners through the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the 1772 Foundation.

For more information: Jada Lindblom, Community and Economic Development Field Specialist, UNH Cooperative Extension, jada.lindblom@unh.edu