Resource Directory

I received a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art (Sculpture) from Shepherd University, with a minor in Painting. Journeyed under several masters ranging in furniture restoration, blacksmithing, cabinetry, plaster (decorative and flat), stone masonry, brick masonry, timber frame and log cabin construction and restoration, fine carpentry, and museum mounting for artifacts. Journeyman-ships occurred in the Shenandoah Valley region, including Washington, DC. I created and still operate a turnkey, design build, and historic restoration company for the last 20 years in Lewisburg, WV. I have led and assisted in workshops in preservation on and off for the last 30 years. I love teaching and continuing my own education in the preservation arts alongside great instructors and craftspeople.

I have spent over 50 years focusing on understanding the Building Science in existing buildings of many different types and teaching. In general the goal of my teaching activities is to helping folks to understand how the existing building is or was managing the Water, Air, and Temperature for the building structure and the occupants and the implications of what the proposed adaptive re-use would have on both the building structure and environment for the occupants or use.

I maintain a Professional Engineers License in Maine, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho. My specialty is Adaptive Reuse: understanding how Water, Air, and Temperature were managed in the historic building and how the proposed reuse would impact the future life of the building and its proposed occupants.

Michael Schuller is president of Atkinson-Noland & Associates in Boulder, Colorado, and New York City, leading a consulting engineering firm specializing in evaluation and strengthening of historic materials and structures. He has worked on hundreds of notable projects around the world, including the Temple of Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Easter Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the United Nations buildings. He taught a course in Masonry Structural Design at the University of Colorado, Boulder, from 2000 through 2009 and in 2016. Mr. Schuller has over 100 publications relating to evaluation, repair, and structural behavior of concrete and masonry structures, and is a co-author of the book “Assessment and Retrofit of Masonry Structures”. He is a fellow of The Masonry Society and the Association for Preservation Technology.

I've been in the restoration and preservation field since 1979. I now travel to sites in a 70-foot rig to teach masonry preservation. If it needs a trowel to apply it, that is what I teach.

I specialize in all facets of preservation carpentry, including replicating historic millwork, window and door design, fabrication, and repair, complex structural timber frame repairs, making and using molding planes to replicate moldings, sharpening, shop machines, and hand tools use and care, etc. Project leadership, work leader, and overall project management, working directly with clients.

Experience: Graduate of Belmont Technical College, internship at Lyndhurst National Trust Site, began National Park Service career at HPTC in 2006 as Exhibit Specialist Trainee (Carpentry Section), 2011 completed 12 week Furniture Making Intensive at North Bennett Street School, in 2012 accepted Exhibit Specialist Position at Delaware Water Gap NRA in 2012 and was lead preservation carpenter and work leader reignited their preservation program, in 2016 accepted staff Exhibit Specialist position at HPTC in the Wood-Crafting Section.

I have a formal education and professional background in preservation carpentry, with nearly two decades of hands-on experience in the field. Since 2007, I have worked on a wide range of preservation projects for the National Park Service, contributing to the stewardship of nationally significant historic structures. Beginning in 2009, I transitioned into a leadership role, managing complex preservation projects with a primary focus on architectural millwork and traditional woodworking. My work has included the planning, fabrication, and installation of historically accurate components such as windows, doors, balustrades, siding, and ornamental trim—often using historically appropriate materials and joinery techniques. I have collaborated closely with architects, conservators, and skilled tradespeople to ensure that all work meets the highest standards of craftsmanship, historical integrity, and regulatory compliance. Through this work, I’ve developed a deep commitment to the long-term care and interpretation of our nation’s built heritage.

Patrick Kennedy has experience lifting buildings, working with volunteers, creating training workshops, and working with log cabins. Wood shingle installation. 

Christine Britton is an Associate, Project Manager, and Historic Preservation Specialist in the structural engineering department at JVA, Inc. She holds a Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master’s in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. Since joining JVA over a decade ago, Christine has worked on reports, assessments, and construction documents for historic buildings across Colorado and the western U.S. She is committed to supporting the rehabilitation and reuse of historic structures through collaborative engineering solutions. Christine co-led NPS preservation workshops at Pinnacles National Park in 2019 and 2022, and serves on the board of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology.

I have hands-on experience in log building repair and preservation as well as wooden window sash restoration and preservation. I have also led trainings in both realms.

Mike Weibush used to work in the private sector doing extra fancy houses, but now loves the pace of preservation (slower and less yelling). He's taught two workshops with BEST so far.

Sharon David graduated from Belmont College's Building Preservation and Restoration Program in 2023. She is currently an AmeriCorps member in Wheeling, WV, where she collaborates with community organizations to preserve historic sites and stimulate economic growth through adaptive reuse. Additionally, Sharon works with the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia to encourage young people to explore careers in the preservation trades.

Lisa Sasser is an architect with over forty years of experience in historic preservation. She completed an apprenticeship in traditional carpentry, joinery and masonry at the National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center. For 30 years, she worked on preservation projects nationwide with the National Park Service. Lisa continues to teach workshops on the principles and practices of field-based historic preservation. She is a founding member and former President of the Preservation Trades Network, as well as a past board member and President of the Timber Framers Guild. Currently, she serves as a board member for Preservation Maryland and as an area representative to the Maryland Historical Trust's board.

Teaching the masonry trade for 40 years in historic brick, stone and lime mortar. 5th generation mason.