The Nantucket Historical Association is hosting an international program focused on climate action for heritage conservation, coinciding with the restoration of the Candle Factory North Wall. Eleven professionals from various countries have been selected for this training course that aims to assess climate risks, develop adaptation strategies, and build a professional network. The initiative involves collaboration with ICCROM, emphasizing the global importance of data in protecting cultural heritage from climate impacts.
The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is slated to host a diverse cohort of international professionals for a four-week program entitled “Climate Action for Sustainable Built Heritage Conservation and Management.” This initiative coincides with the ongoing restoration of the Candle Factory North Wall at the Whaling Museum, which began this month. The overarching aim of this program is to incorporate essential elements into the flood mitigation and resilience strategies currently being implemented on Nantucket. Expressing enthusiasm for the launch of the program, Niles Parker, the NHA’s Gosnell Executive Director, stated, “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.” The 2023 summer brought the execution of an initial eight-week evaluation program involving students and professionals assessing the state of NHA properties. “We are prioritizing our relationship with our expert partners from ICCROM and ICR and using this opportunity to bring these professionals into the fold, as we have real-time restorations underway that were identified as priority projects to safeguard the island’s historic buildings from climate and disaster risks,” he elaborated. From a pool of nearly 200 applicants, 11 professionals from various countries such as Japan, Iraq, Albania, Spain, Kenya, Portugal, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, and India have been selected for this prestigious training course. Beginning today, October 28, and continuing through November 22, the program will focus on assessing climate risks to built heritage, crafting effective monitoring and adaptation strategies, and fostering an international network of skilled professionals. Planned activities will encompass lectures, hands-on workshops, and site visits to NHA’s ongoing restoration efforts. “One idea that we all agreed on at the symposium in 2022 is that there is a great deal of data that has been generated on climate change at an overarching level, but 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,” noted Glenn Boornazian from Integrated Conservation Resources, Inc. (ICR). He emphasized the necessity of generating pertinent data for heritage sites around the globe, stating, “We all agreed that taking this next step was essential and this new program and the one we partnered on in 2023 are great steps forward in generating this data for cultural heritage sites worldwide.” Looking forward, the NHA plans to formalize its collaboration with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) through a three-year Memorandum of Understanding commencing in January 2024. This partnership seeks to facilitate joint research, training, and field projects aimed at shaping global policies and methodologies for climate action in built heritage conservation. “ICCROM is looking very much forward to collaborate with the Nantucket Historical Association and Integrated Conservation Resources, Inc. for this pioneering training course that will help in building capacities of professionals from around the world to protect and manage built heritage from the increasing impact of climate change,” conveyed Rohit Jigyasu, Ph.D., Programme Manager at ICCROM. ICCROM, an intergovernmental organization stationed in Rome, is dedicated to preserving various forms of cultural heritage globally. Established post-World War II and backed by UNESCO, the organization unites scientists, architects, and other stakeholders to innovate concerning the restoration and conservation of cultural sites impacted by conflict. It remains the only institution of its kind, agile in its operations and extensive in its collaborative network of conservation experts.
The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is actively engaging in efforts to address the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on cultural heritage. As part of initiatives aimed at preserving historical sites, the NHA is launching a program that focuses on assessing climate risks and implementing strategies for sustainable heritage conservation. Furthermore, the collaboration with notable organizations such as ICCROM underscores a collective commitment to establishing effective methodologies in managing the adverse effects of climate change on cultural properties, ensuring that historical sites are safeguarded for future generations.
In summary, the Nantucket Historical Association is implementing a significant program aimed at integrating climate action with heritage conservation. By hosting international professionals and collaborating with esteemed organizations like ICCROM, the NHA is prioritizing the resilience and protection of Nantucket’s historical structures against climate risks. This initiative marks a proactive step toward gathering vital site-specific data needed to inform effective conservation strategies worldwide, ultimately enhancing the sustainability of built heritage in the face of climate change.
Original Source: nantucketcurrent.com
