Conference, Exhibition, and Tour
November 5 and 6, 2005
If you care about older properties this is the conference for you!
For the past year a group of architects, architectural historians, conservators, and preservation/restoration enthusiasts and home owners in the Omaha community have been working to create an event that will educate residents in all aspects of preservation and restoration. Restore Omaha is now a reality.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Breakout Session 1
- Paint It Right. Bob Yapp walks through the myths and realities of exterior wood repair and how to achieve affordable, long-term paint jobs.
- Maintenance and Repair of Brick. Learn the best methods to repair and maintain brick structures and why sand blasting, high pressure water washing and machine mortar removal are destructive.
- Was All Old Brass Hardware Shiny and Yellow? Join metals conservator Deborah Long in an exploration of historic metal finishes and learn how to preserve them and reproduce them on replacement hardware and lighting devices.
- Historic Plaster. Learn how to identify, preserve and restore plaster walls. Attendees will be shown how to salvage loose and cracked plaster and how to prepare walls for painting.
- The National and Local Historic Register. What does it mean to have your property listed on a local or National Register? How do you get your property listed? Does Omaha have its own landmark list? Would being listed affect one's rights as a property owner?
1:40 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. Breakout Session 2
- Roof Repair, Maintenance and Replacement. Learn how to decide whether to keep, repair or replace your historic tile, slate, asbestos, asphalt or wood roof. Professional roofing contractors from Renaissance Roofing will discuss simple maintenance techniques and repairs to help roofs last for years.
- Maintenance and Repair of Stone. Listen to certified British stone conservator Nigel Copsey discuss the maintenance, repair and restoration of masonry structures.
- What Style is My House? Architectural historian Melissa Dirr will illustrate the development of architectural styles in historic homes and businesses in Omaha. She will show the range and diversity in Omaha house styles and will help associate them with a particular style.
- 11 Random Rules of Old House Renovation. For over 13 years Dundee's Old House Mechanic Don Browers has shared his old house experiences in a column in Dundee's Neighborhood newsletter. Now we'll all get a chance to learn from Don firsthand.
- Historic Windows. Every year thousands of good wood windows are ripped out of older homes and tossed in the dumpster. Listen to John Leeke to learn how to save yours from this tragic fate.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Session 3
- Getting Floored. Bob Yapp used to grind the finish and patina from the wood floors in his historic rehabilitations. Yapp will take the audience step-by-step through a better and often less expensive way to refinish floors.
- Choosing Accurate Period Painting Schemes. Painting experts will show how to analyze early paint layers and choose an historically accurate paint scheme for your home or business.
- The Building Envelope. Architect Jerry Berggren will define the building envelope as a barrier to moisture penetration in an older structure. Learn how to avoid and control mold growth and wood rot by eliminating water infiltration.
- Stucco. Join stucco experts as they give a hands-on demonstration of stucco repair techniques and discuss the materials and tools needed for restoring older stucco.
- Local, State and Federal Incentives for Historic Preservation. Can I get money to help restore my older home or business? Can I get low interest loans for home improvement? What is LB 66 (Amendment 1)? Are there federal tax incentives? Join staff from local and state entities that can help make it easier for you to afford to restore an older property.
4:10 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. Breakout Session
- Porch Preservation. John Leeke, author of the soon-to-be-released National Park Service Preservation Brief Porch Preservation, will teach attendees how to repair and save existing porch details.
- Wallpaper Restoration. Discover the beauty of historic wallpapers, see samples and slides, and learn tips on the care and conservation of historic wallpaper.
- Tax Credit on a Commercial Project. Join architectural historian Melissa Dirr and architect Jerry Berggren as they walk you through a federal tax credit project involving a small, local commercial building.
- Electrical in an Older Home. Join chief electrical inspector Terry Scholl for a discussion of older wiring practices and how they relate to city code.