Published: October 01, 2008 10:50 am      

Preserve This series focuses on important relationship in New Albany

Three local groups are combining efforts to promote the relationship between historic preservation and a sustainable community.

A series titled Preserve This will begin Oct. 23 with a Wine and Windows workshop, which will be held at The Baer Building, located at 321 Pearl St.

The event and series are sponsored by Develop New Albany, New Albany Historic Preservation Commission and Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

“The series highlights energy conservation in historic buildings, hands-on preservation workshops with guest speakers and presenters from around the country and more,” said Judy Martin, of Develop New Albany.

The first workshop will focus on historic wood windows and why they are superior to replacement windows. There will be a demonstration of basic tools needed to restore and repair historic wood windows, including Dutchman repairs, epoxy repairs, paint stripping, painting, glazing and rope and weight replacement.

“Original and historic windows, restoring and making them more efficient is a perfect kickoff subject,” said Ted Fulmore, chairman of the Preservation Commission.

“Too often, these windows are discarded and replaced with inferior products. A landfill is a terrible place to send a usable energy resource.”

Jack Patchin, owner of Ol’ House Experts, will provide presentations and insight at the workshop. He has more than 30 years of experience in the construction and restoration field.

Patchin helped restore buildings on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wisconsin estate and has presented workshops and seminars for local preservation organizations, Martin said.

Floyd County Historian David Barksdale said the main goal of the events is education, but that shouldn’t detract from their entertainment value.

“I think you can tell by the title, Wine and Windows, it’s got to be fun,” Barksdale said.

The quarterly series will be a way to extend the Preservation Commission’s goal of historic knowledge beyond May, which is the group’s key month for raising awareness.

“Our month of May is just jammed-pack with preservation activities; we just felt that highlighting one month out of 12 maybe just wasn’t good enough,” Barksdale said.

After the Wine and Windows presentation, Fulmore will give a tour of the Baer Building, which is soon to be home to River City Winery. The building has been restored ahead of the new business opening.

“I want everyone to have a sneak peek at our newest downtown restoration. What a deal. The tour, education and wine, who would pass it up?,” Fulmore said.

The wine cellar of River City Winery will produce, bottle and store wine selections that range from sweet fruit wines to dry and white wines, Martin said. The first floor has a bar, gift shop and delicatessen featuring Boars Head meats and gourmet pizza.

Wine and Windows is free and open to the public, but attendance is limited to 35 participants and reservations are required. Registration cutoff will be at noon Oct. 20.