2010 Seminar Schedule

Guest Lecture

Jane Powell, author of the Bungalow book series

10m-11:30 am, Swanton Amphitheater
1-4 pm Book Signing, Exhibitor Area

The guest lecturer is Jane Powell, the "bad girl of bungalow writing" and author of the Bungalow book series. Ms. Powell will give a presentation on Bungalow interiors and how to incorporate historic elements of the bungalow into your home’s design. For the Arts and Crafts aficionados and bungalow fans, this lecture will provide the tools you need to create a beautiful bungalow interior.
To learn more about Jane Powell, visit www.janepowell.org.

Jane’s books will be for sale at the event and the author will be available to sign the books from 1-4 pm.

Hands-On Workshops

Historic Wood Window Restoration

10 am-noon and 2-4 pm, Henry Oliver F
Sandy Crowe, master craftsman
Crowe Development Corporation

Did you know that a properly restored historic wood window has higher e-value than most new windows on the market? Save your windows and the huge unnecessary expense of buying replacement windows by attending this hands-on demonstration of wood window restoration techniques. You’ll learn the anatomy of historic windows and what are the best tools and products for restoring your windows. Wear old clothes and bring a “can-do” attitude. The number of hands-on participants may be limited but anyone can watch.

Seminars

National Register of Historic Places
and Tax Incentives and Credits

10-11:30 am, Mary Gay D
Steven Moffson, architectural historian
Ced Dolder, tax coordinator
State Historic Preservation Office

The National Register of Historic Places is our country’s inventory of the buildings, sites, and cultural landscapes that are historically significant. This seminar, led by Georgia’s Architectural Historian and Tax Incentives Coordinator, will give the history of the National Register and explain how a property becomes eligible for the National Register and how historic property owners can apply to become listed on the register. The best-kept secret of being listed on the National Register is the tax incentives programs offered by the federal and state government for certified rehabilitations to historic homes. The new law effective in Georgia in 2008 allows up to $100,000 in tax credits for old house rehabilitations. Does that sound good to you? What about an eight-and-a-half year property tax freeze? If this sounds even better, then come to this seminar and learn if your house is eligible for the National Register, what it means to complete a certified rehabilitation on your old house, and how you may be able to qualify for these exceptional programs.

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Researching Your Old House and What Style is My House?

10-11:30 am, Mary Gay C
Ken Thomas, professional historian/genealogist
Melissa Forgey, executive director, DeKalb History Center

Ever wanted to know when your house was built and by whom? Who lived in your house and how it has changed over the years? Learn from the foremost expert on historic house research where to look for building records, census data, city directories, finding old photographs, historic Sanborn maps, and so much more. The information is out there if you just know where to look. When we say that Ken wrote the book on research in Georgia, we aren’t kidding!

What is the difference between a Craftsman home and a Foursquare? Are all Victorians the same style? What is the origin of the bungalow? This fascinating seminar led by the Director of the DeKalb History Center will educate you on identifying the styles and types of homes and their historic significance. Also, bring in a photo of your house and we’ll tell you the style and approximate date of construction!

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“Greening" Your Old House

10-11:30 am, Henry Oliver E
Robert Soens, CEO
Pinnacle Custom Builders

The greenest house is the one already built. But, did you know that there is even more you can do to reduce your old home’s carbon footprint? Learn from a certified Earthcraft builder how to “green” your house with maximum return for your dollar. Topics will include improving energy efficiency, water efficiency, rain/gray water harvest systems, heating/cooling innovations, and much more. It’s easy to be green!

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Design Solutions for Additions and New Construction
in Historic Neighborhoods

11:30 am-1 pm, Henry Oliver E
Andrew Rutledge, architect
Alcock-Rutledge Architects

Want to add space to your historic home but don’t want it to look like an addition? Don’t know whether to go up or ouy? Andrew Rutledege will discuss the concerns and opportunities of renovating or adding onto a historic home. Whether your home is from the 1890s, 1920s, or mid-century, proper planning is key.

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How to Hire a Contractor

11:30 am-1:00 pm, Mary Gay C
Peter Michelson, CEO
Renewal Design-Build

Interviewing and selecting a contractor is a daunting task and not having all the information can cost you many thousands of dollars. Learn from the owner of one of the top-ranked remodeling firms in the country how to navigate this process. This seminar will cover contractor certification/licensing, fixed price vs. time and material contracts, questions to ask when interviewing contractors, project management, timelines, using value engineering to reduce costs, and more.

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Creating Historic Interiors in a Modern World

11:30 am-1:00 pm, Mary Gay D
Susan Turner, AIA, LEED AP, Lord Aeck & Sargent
Robert Wanderman, AIA, Lord Aeck & Sargent
David Ramsey, Interior Designer, Lord Aeck & Sargent
Beth Shorthouse, Moderator, Lord Aeck& Sargent

Do you have an older home and need some interior design advice? Come and explore the world of interior design for the older house styles that are prominent in the City of Decatur and throughout Atlanta!  Our Intown neighborhoods offer a fantastic mix of old house styles, such as, Victorian, Arts & Crafts, Colonial Revival, American Small House and our newest historic house – the Ranch!  Join us for a presentation on how you can get the most out of your historic interiors and learn about how you can accentuate its character, while also exhibiting your own personal style, even with modern influences.  The presentation will include a Q&A period, so feel free to bring photos and questions about what you can do to make your house feel like home!

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Plaster, Wood, Asbestos and Lead—
Charming Feature or Home Hazard?

1-2:30 pm, Henry Oliver E
Robert Soens, CEO
Pinnacle Custom Home Builders

Every old house has plaster and wood but they also have lead and possibly asbestos. Learn about your plaster walls and wood trim and the best repair and restoration practices. Also, lead and asbestos can be major hazards in your home. Learn the best way to remove/abate these elements in your house so that you and your family can be safe.

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Maintenance Plans for Old Houses

1-2:30 pm
Laura Drummond, preservation consultant
Atlanta Preservation Associates
Mary Gay C

Owning any house means maintenance. Owning a historic home means maintenance and preservation. Learn how to develop a maintenance plan for your home that helps you understand all the systems in your house and what is required for their upkeep. You will learn what tasks need to be done on an annual, bi-annual, and monthly basis.

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Storm Windows for Old Houses

1-2:30 pm, Mary Gay D
Bill Clark, architect
Stevens & Wilkinson, Stang & Newdow

If you think all storm windows are alike, you need to come to this seminar. The storm window technology has changed dramatically in the last 50 years. The options are many and the quality and looks are amazing. Learn from a formerly frustrated homeowner who created his own storm window system and cut his heating and air conditioning bills in half. These aren’t your grandmother’s storm windows!

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Historic Landscapes for Old Houses

2:30-4 pm, Mary Gay C
Ed Daugherty, landscape architect
Edward L. Daugherty Landscape Architect, Inc.

Historic landscapes tell us so much about lives and interests of previous generations. Each style of home and each time period has its own unique landscape associated with it. Learn from one of Atlanta’s most well-known landscape architects about the kinds of gardens and landscapes that would have existed during various time periods throughout Georgia. You’ll learn about the types and varieties of plant and hardscape materials that were often chosen and how you can create these landscapes in your own yard.

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Energy Efficiency in Older Homes

2:30-4 pm, Henry Oliver E
Joe Thomas, home performance consultant
Renewal Systems Solutions
You may be surprised to learn how many of those “charming” deficiencies in your old house have simple, cost effective remedies to increase energy efficiency and comfort.  Taking a holistic approach can ensure that the house is less dependent on equipment for comfort and utility and that the right equipment is in place and operating safely.  This seminar will focus on home performance improvements you can do yourself or have done by professionals to make that old house of yours feel as good as it looks without breaking the bank. 

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Zoning, Permitting, and Preservation Commissions

2:30 pm-4 pm, Mary Gay D
Amanda Thompson,planning director, City of Decatur
Regina Brewer, preservation planner, City of Decatur
City of Atlanta Representative
DeKalb County Representative

The zoning, permitting, and resident board commission process can be a confusing experience even for the most knowledgeable person. Learn first -hand from city officials how to understand residential zoning including definitions and terminology (what on earth is non-conforming?), what is the role of preservation commissions for historic property owners (no, they can’t tell you what color to paint your house!), and how the permitting process ensures that work is done to state building codes (better change the batteries in those smoke detectors!). The subject can be daunting, but the speakers are enthusiastic “zoning geeks” who can demystify the process.