Historic home preservation workshops begin tonight in Roxborough

Historic porch repair, masonry and painting techniques are just a few of the topics that will be discussed at the free “Homeowner Workshops” held this month by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia (PAGP) and the Roxborough Development Corporation.

The PAGP’s Neighborhood Preservation Program has been in operation since 2006, and these public workshops are a part of their educational and outreach work. Through an information session and training, the program provides assistance to those who are interested in neighborhood preservation.

The workshops will feature hands-on demonstrations from the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust’s director of preservation, Ray Tschoepe, along with other experienced staff conservators.

Melissa Jest, neighborhood preservation program coordinator at PAGP, says presenters will discuss “basic assurances and common-sense solutions.”

“They will demonstrate things like how to mix mortar,” said Jest, “how to scrape wood and how to glaze a window to replace glass panes.”

The sessions will be held at the Roxborough Development Corporation, located at 6111 Ridge Ave., from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays throughout the month.

Homeowner Workshops:

Historic Porches and Wood Repairs

Wednesday April 4

Masonry and Pointing

Wednesday April 11

Historic Wood Windows

Wednesday April 18

Paints and Color Placement

Wednesday, April 25

To reserve a space, or for more information, contact Melissa Jest at 215-546-1146 x6 or melissa@preservationalliance.com.