FINDING:
While the primary benefit of partnerships is to leverage limited federal resources and assist federal agencies in the identification, protection, and use of historic properties, partnerships also contribute important community and educational benefits, including those that enable job training. The federal government is tasked with managing federally owned, administered, or controlled historic properties in a spirit of stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of present and future generations and to encourage public and private preservation and utilization of all usable elements of the nation’s historic built environment. Since the beginning of the reporting requirements in 2006, the ACHP has seen innovative ways that federal agencies maximize available resources through unique partnerships supporting the identification, protection, and use of historic properties and increased access and involvement of nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher learning, and local communities in stewardship of historic properties. Quality restoration work on historic buildings requires skilled workers in the traditional trades. Masons, carpenters, painters, plasterers, and others in the construction trades who know how to–and why we should–preserve, repair, replicate, and maintain historic materials and finishes are essential to historic preservation projects. However, the reality is that there is an increasingly short supply of such craftspeople, and it can lead to federal agencies foregoing routine maintenance of historic properties. More recognizable opportunities for workforce development and training in the traditional trades not only would help address this problem critical to the maintenance of the nation’s historic places, but also would contribute to economic recovery and wellbeing through career pathways that benefit local communities. Enhancing traditional trades training opportunities– notably for youth and veterans–would allow people to acquire marketable knowledge, skills, and abilities that employers are seeking.
Recommendations:
›› Federal agencies should maximize the use of conservation and preservation corps, which engage young adults and veterans in service projects addressing recreation, conservation, disaster response, and other needs, including preservation, to address historic preservation needs on public lands. Agencies can promote traditional trades training by introducing corps members to the traditional building trades and providing training. ›› Federal agencies receiving funds through the Great American Outdoors Act should use the funds for traditional trades training, both to address an immediate need for traditional trades craftspeople to complete deferred maintenance projects and to achieve a lasting positive impact on the shortage of these skillsets. ›› Agencies should identify opportunities to improve coordination, collaboration, and support for the role of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers as key federal partners in carrying out their NHPA responsibilities.
IN A SPIRIT OF STEWARDSHIP: A REPORT ON FEDERAL HISTORIC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 2021 | 63
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