Association for Preservation Technology Western Great Lakes Chapter Chapter News

2022 Events

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 18:47:03 GMT

APT WGLC is happy to finally be hosting events almost like 'normal' in 2022. So far this year we've hosted a Stained Glass Workshop, waking tour of Chicago's Record Row, a lecture and book signing by Don Friedman, tour of UW Stout's campus, SAIC Mentor event, Bulletin Club.... and we are just getting started. We are excited to reconnect with our members. We hope to see you soon.

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Laboratory Tour

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:28:47 GMT

On February 28th WJE hosted APT WGLC for a tour of the recently completed expansion of their Janney Technical Center. Participants viewed the chemical, petrographical, metallurgical, and structural testing labs with guides providing overviews and answering questions. Students from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Historic Preservation program also participated. APT WGLC would like to thank WJE for hosting us!

APT WGLC Annual Bowling Social

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:12:40 GMT

Several APT WGLC members and friends braved cold weather and flu season to attend the annual bowling night on February 21st. Everyone had a fun time catching up with old friends and making new friends. Alex Ardelean earned bragging rights with a high score of 161! Thanks to everyone who participated. Special thanks to board member Matt Novesky for planning the event.

Decorative Gilding Workshop

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 18:53:36 GMT

EverGreene Architectural Arts and SAIC (with support from Chicago Ornamental Plastering) hosted WGLC participants for a decorative gilding workshop on December 7^th. After a tour of the Auditorium Theater to review installed gilding. Participants learned about different types of gilding and were able to apply gold leaf to prepared plaster samples! EverGreene representatives generously answered participant questions and hosted lunch. WGLC is grateful to EAA for sharing their knowledge, donating their time and materials, and providing lunch! We’d also like to thank SAIC for the space and Chicago Ornamental Plastering for the plaster casts.

Haunted Architecture Walk

Sun, 04 Nov 2018 19:01:04 GMT

It was a spooky night on November 1^st when members and friends of APT WGLC met for a haunted architecture walk in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. The group visited five haunted buildings/sites and stopped along the way to grab a beverage and network. Special thanks to the WGLC Board Member site hosts, especially Matt Luczak for originating the idea and planning the stops! Due to the positive feedback another haunted walk is being considered for 2019.

Terrazzo Restoration Workshop

Sun, 28 Oct 2018 20:02:18 GMT

On October 26^th seventeen members and friends of APT WGLC met at the Federal Courthouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a Terrazzo Restoration Workshop. The event started with presentations from Anne Sullivan from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Tom Mikrut from Terrazzo & Marble Supply Companies and finished with attendees participating in a round-table discussion. After the event, a group toured the atrium with Tom Mikrut to look at terrazzo examples. APT WGLC would like to thank all of the participants and speakers especially Board Member Stephen Mar-Pohl for his organization contributions and GSA for hosting the event!

Chicago Union Station Member Tour

Sat, 30 Jun 2018 17:45:15 GMT

Berglund Construction hosted WGLC Members for an exclusive tour of the Chicago Union Station restoration project on June 29^th. WGLC Members received an exciting behind-the-scenes tour including access to the floating platform to observe the skylight restoration. Leonard Koroski of Goettsch Partners provided a thorough context of current and past work. WGLC is grateful to both Berglund and Goettsch Partners for making this tour possible.

History of Platteville Limestone

Sat, 16 Jun 2018 19:23:27 GMT

On June 11^th, 13 people attended the first installment of the WGLC Minnesota Education Series. Angela Wolf Scott from MacDonald & Mack Architects presented on the history of Platteville limestone and its production in Minnesota. She expanded this analysis and described how the limestone is impacted once it is exposed to heat, which was important to understand on her recent project at the Mill City Museum. At this site the stone has been exposed to two fires, leaving part of the walls in exposed ruins. Angela’s analysis and research on the existing stone has led to a thoughtful and careful repair methodology on these ruin walls. WGLC would like to thank Angela for her presentation!

APTI Building Science Workshop

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:48:54 GMT

On June 4^th and 5^th APT WGLC co-sponsored the Building Science and Preservation Workshop with APTI and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. William Rose, author and research architect from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign presented on the physical science including fluid flow, water vapor, radiation, and heat flow. The event was attended by local professionals as well as several people from out of state and Canada. APT WGLC appreciates the opportunity to host this event with APTI and SAIC.

APT WGLC and SAIC Student Mentoring Event

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 17:36:15 GMT

APT WGLC hosted our annual mentoring event with SAIC on April 12^th. SAIC preservation students were paired with professional mentors from WGLC as they reviewed three buildings on Clark Street in Rogers Park. The students developed their final projects, a condition assessment report, based on their observations and the guidance received from their mentors. WGLC would like to thank the professional mentors for donating their time to work with the students and SAIC for being a wonderful and consistent partner.

APT WGLC Bowling Night

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 21:09:16 GMT

WGLC hosted its second annual bowling night on February 15th at Southport Lanes in Chicago. Chapter members and guests enjoyed friendly competition along with beverages and trips to the buffet. The high score of the evening was 158 bowled by Gregory Dowell. Gregory received the grand prize, a Chicago Skyline Lego set. Thanks to all that attended!

Unity Temple in Wisconsin

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:23:59 GMT

A presentation on the recent award-winning restoration of Unity Temple was held at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) on January 18th. Sarah Horton (Berglund Construction), Terry VanderWell (EverGreene Architectural Arts), and Mark Nussbaum (Architectural Consulting Engineers) discussed various aspects of the restoration including the challenges unique to this site. Prior to the presentation a brief synopsis of the APT WGLC Annual Report to Members was given to our Wisconsin audience. APT WGLC would like to thank our presenters and MSOE for hosting us for the evening!

Annual Meeting at All Saints Episcopal, Chicago

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 20:41:39 GMT

On the evening of Thursday January 11th, APT WGLC held our annual meeting in Chicago. After a brief presentation to review the annual report (available to members on the member's page of our website), Eddie Torrez of Bauer Latoza Studio presented his work on the restoration of All Saints Episcopal Church. The work included foundation replacement, stabilization of the original bell tower, restoration of the stained glass windows, and revealing and restoring the original wood siding. Rector Bonnie Perry represented All Saints Church and provided insight on the project from the Owner's perspective. The project has received many awards. WGLC would like to thank Eddie, Bonnie, and all those who attended!

Thank You to Our Volunteers!

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 21:10:54 GMT

APT WGLC was pleased to receive a holiday card from Save Old Nichols Library, Inc. this holiday season! Earlier this fall several volunteers from our chapter performed a condition assessment of the Old Nichols Library in Naperville, Illinois, which at the time was threatened by demolition. Through the efforts of our generous volunteers, and as a result of the tireless advocacy of the preservation community in Naperville and in greater Chicagoland, the Old Nichols Library has been designated a local landmark and will continue to stand for years to come. Many thanks to our WGLC volunteers, and congratulations to Save Old Nichols Library, Inc.!

Putting the "Fun" in "Faux": History and Techniques of Scagliola

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 15:29:01 GMT

Matt Luczak lead an event titled, History and Use of Scagliola on November 6th at St. Josaphat Church in Chicago. The event included a lecture/slide presentationdiscussing the history of scagliola (a hand-crafted artificial marble created with gypsum, water, pigments & glue) as well as the various methods of scagliola production. The group was able to view the existing scagliola at the church, as well as view a live demonstration of the Marezzo method of scagliola production. APT WGLC would like to thank Matt for sharing his unique knowledge!

Chicago's Old Post Office Tour

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 16:55:28 GMT

On October 5, 2017, APT WGLC provided a tour of the Old Chicago Post Office (OPO) building for approximately twenty-five WGLC members. The building has more than 2.5 million square feet of floor space and has been abandoned for approximately 20 years. The building is currently undergoing redevelopment and the tour was a rare chance for many to see the interior of the building near the end of the interior demolition phase. Highlights of the tour included viewing of the roof, multiple floor levels, the Post Master General’s office, and the newly refurbished grand lobby. WGLC would like to thank all of our members that participated in this tour and a special welcome to our new members that attended. We look forward to seeing you again at upcoming WGLC events!

Decorative Stenciling Fun!

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 13:34:05 GMT

On October 27^th, APT WGLC members and friends participated in a hands-on stenciling workshop at Conrad Schmitt Studios in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Participants learned about the use of stenciling as a decorative finish, different levels of artistry in stenciling applications, and methods used to document, restore, and replicate historic stenciling. Participants tested their skills by creating their own three-color stencil masterpiece. While the projects were drying we enjoyed a studio tour and seeing many stained-glass restoration projects in process. APT WGLC would like to thank Conrad Schmitt Studios for a fun and educational event!

River's Edge Tax Credits

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 01:04:33 GMT

Earlier this month, Jennifer Spencer and Ashley Sarver of Gary W. Anderson & Associates (GWAA) gave a lively presentation on the Illinois River’s Edge Redevelopment Tax Credit Program, how the tax credit has benefited Rockford, and their related project work. They focused on the rehabilitation of the Prairie Street Brewhouse, where their office is located, and touched on several other projects with similar focus and use of applicable tax credits. After the presentation the group toured the Prairie Street facility, which has become a center of activity for the local community. APT WGLC thanks Jennifer and Ashley and invites its members to visit Rockford and see all that the River’s Edge tax credit program has done for the city!

(Photo credit: GWAA Architects, Rockford)