Walls get closer look in Old House Workshop

If walls could talk, what would they say?

Spokane Preservation Advocates may have the answer and they are ready to share it.

A three-night Old House Workshop by the organization this month will drill down on the significance of old walls and how to care for them.

“People always want to know how to repair their historic walls,” said Dave Shockley, Spokane Preservation Advocates executive director.

The organization has assembled a field of experts to provide the best knowledge and advice on both indoor and outdoor walls.

The Walls Around Us workshop will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, 21 and 28 at Finch Elementary School.

A guided tour of Finch Elementary with its brick and masonry is set for 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 21.

Cost is $20 per session or $50 for the series.

To sign up, go to spokanepreservation.org.

The idea for this year’s workshop stems from a 2016 native rock survey and inventory by consultant Stephen Emerson for the Spokane City-County Historic Preservation Office.

Megan Duvall, historic preservation officer, will give an overview of the survey during the kickoff session on Feb. 14.

In the survey, a home at 2624 N. Wall St. shows off what is known as a “peanut brittle” effect, in which rounded river cobble is placed at the base of the house with clinker brick and cedar siding on the porch piers and walls above it.

A copy of the full native rock survey can be found at historicspokane.org.

Lynn Mandyke, a leader in the restoration at the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens more than a decade ago, will talk about that project and the extensive rock walls and structures that are part of the gardens landscape.

Also on Feb. 14, representatives from Authentic Restoration Services Inc., will show how to repair or create dry-stack stone walls and paths. Carol Newcomb from Northland Rosarium will talk about the right historic plants for the landscape.

On Feb. 21, the workshop will focus on brick walls.

A representative from the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local No. 3 will talk about the history of bricks and mortar and how to repair them.

Roger Dobson of Dobson Chimney & Masonry will go over options for restoring foundations and chimneys.

Mike Tacoma, of Tacoma Co., will talk about natural alternatives to sandblasting when cleaning stone, brick or concrete.

On Feb. 28, the workshop goes indoors.

Janette Hruban and David Hanson of Hanson Carlen Architecture & Construction are planning an overview of early 20th century moldings and trim and how to replicate them.

Revival Lighting is sending a representative to talk about interplay between wall sconces and overhead lighting with interior walls.

Historic homeowner Janet Hobbs will show off her skill at wall stenciling. At the end of the session, Hobbs will invite people to try stenciling themselves.

The Old House Workshop under Spokane Preservation Advocates is now in its fourth year. Proceeds benefit the organization and its work at preserving the city’s structural history.