The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is hosting a four-week international program titled “Climate Action for Sustainable Built Heritage Conservation and Management,” focusing on the restoration of the Whaling Museum’s North Wall and integrating flood mitigation strategies. Selected professionals from various countries will participate in lectures and hands-on workshops to develop climate resilience methods for built heritage, culminating in presentations to share findings and insights. This program builds on previous efforts and aims for global data generation on climate impacts for heritage sites.
The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is embarking on a significant initiative by hosting a global cohort of professionals for a four-week program entitled “Climate Action for Sustainable Built Heritage Conservation and Management.” This program is primarily designed to support the restoration of the North Wall of the Whaling Museum’s Candle Factory, a project that commenced this month. It aims to incorporate essential elements into the ongoing flood mitigation and resilience strategies on Nantucket. Niles Parker, the Executive Director of the NHA, expressed enthusiasm about this endeavor, remarking, “We are thrilled to launch this program and continue this critical work that has been two years in the making since we hosted our first symposium on climate change conservation and protection with the National Park Service back in 2022… we are prioritizing our relationship with our expert partners from ICCROM and ICR… to safeguard the island’s historic buildings from climate and disaster risks.” Out of nearly 200 applicants, 11 professionals from various countries, including Japan, Iraq, and Australia, have been selected for this unique training opportunity which will run from October 28 to November 22. The course objectives include evaluating climate risks to built heritage, devising relevant monitoring and adaptation strategies, and cultivating an international network of conservation experts. Participants will engage in lectures, practical workshops, and field visits to the NHA’s restoration efforts, culminating in individual presentations that will be shared with the public. Glenn Boornazian from Integrated Conservation Resources, Inc. articulated the necessity of generating more localized data on climate change impacts, stating, “One idea that we all agreed on at the symposium in 2022… there is no real site-specific data that helps us understand threats and therefore design conservation and stabilization solutions to address those threats on the ground.” Looking ahead, in January 2024, the NHA will formalize a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) to enhance collaborative research, trainee training, and field projects focused on climate action’s influence on global heritage conservation policies. Rohit Jigyasu, Ph.D., from ICCROM stated they are eager to collaborate with the NHA on this innovative training course designed to enhance global capacities in preserving built heritage in the face of climate change. Founded in the aftermath of World War II, ICCROM is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Rome, dedicated to advancing the conservation of cultural heritage worldwide, forming partnerships to repair and protect cultural sites impacted by conflicts.
The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is dedicated to preserving Nantucket’s rich cultural heritage. In recent years, the impacts of climate change have posed serious threats to historic sites worldwide, prompting heritage organizations like the NHA to develop robust strategies for conservation. To address these challenges, NHA has launched training programs in collaboration with international partners like ICCROM to educate professionals on adaptive strategies for climate resilience in heritage conservation. The current program addresses key restoration efforts, significantly focusing on the Whaling Museum’s Candle Factory as part of broader flood mitigation efforts.
In conclusion, the NHA’s initiative to host a global group of professionals marks a pivotal step toward advancing the protection of cultural heritage against the pressing threats posed by climate change. Through collaborative training and restoration efforts, this program aims to build a network of skilled professionals dedicated to preserving historic sites not only in Nantucket but worldwide, reinforcing the importance of site-specific data and strategies in heritage conservation.
Original Source: nantucketcurrent.com
