The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. (HFFI) is a member- and volunteer-supported 501c(3) nonprofit organization. Founded in 1955 by a group of local citizens alarmed by the destruction of several architectural and historical landmarks in the city, today, HFFI remains steadfastly committed to the same guiding principles embraced by its founders over half a century ago: to protect the Fredericksburg area’s cultural resources and historic built environment; to promote awareness of, and interest in, local preservation issues; and to inform future generations of the benefits of preservation to sustaining our rich sense of place and strengthening the quality of life for everyone in our community.
This fall, HFFI is pleased to partner with Professor Michael Spencer at the Department of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington in expanding preservation education in our city with a new course outside the traditional classroom.
This new class will meet weekly at the Lewis Store during the month of October and is free and open to the public, with spaces for 10 students of all ages. Sign up as soon as possible, if you’re interested in attending – register here!
Historic Building Materials of Fredericksburg
Dates & Time: October 7, 14, 21, and 28 — 4:00 pm-5:30 pm
Cost: Free
Location: 1200 Caroline Street (Lewis Store), Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc. (HFFI) Office
Course Description: This course will examine historic building materials used in Fredericksburg during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Participants will learn about the periods they were employed, fabrication methods, and how to identify such materials in historic structures. Such identification can be helpful when used in conjunction with archival research to date historic structures and better interpret changes over time. The course will include lectures as well as examination of architectural salvage from the University of Mary Washington’s, Department of Historic Preservation’s collection. Examination of historic materials in-site will also be possible due to the course location at the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc. offices located in the historic Lewis Store (1749).
Instructor: Michael G. Spencer, Associate Professor, University of Mary Washington, Department of Historic Preservation
Michael Spencer graduated from Mary Washington College with a degree in Historic Preservation in 2003 and with a Master of Historic Preservation from the University of Kentucky in 2005. Since that time, he has been engaged in teaching, first at the graduate program at the University of Kentucky and since 2009 at the University of Mary Washington. His expertise focuses on architectural conservation and building forensics which he often employs through grant work. In addition to teaching, Professor Spencer volunteers in a variety of capacities assisting organizations like the Washington Heritage Museums, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc., and the National Park Service.
