Two New Restoration Projects Aided by Dr. Susan Buck, Renowned Conservator
Susan Buck, Ph.D., Art Conservation Research, spent a day recently with Cornerstones’ Director, Jake Barrow and interns, Issac Logsdon and Georgina Solano, testing floor, wall and wood samples in order to fulfill the necessary requirements to move forward on both restoration projects, described below. Dr. Buck teaches at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware and maintains a professional office at Williamsburg VA. She is a conservator in private practice, specializing in the analysis and conservation of painted surfaces on wooden objects and architectural materials.
Casita Desiderio y Pablita Ortega
Cornerstones Community Partnerships has received a grant from the 2018 Save America's Treasures program through the Historic Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior for restoration of the Casita Desiderio y Pablita Ortega in the historic Plaza del Cerro in Chimayo, New Mexico. This and the other adobe structures there represent an early 18th century enclosed defensive plaza that is largely intact and the last of its kind with authenticity to be found in North America. Work planned includes research, archeology, documentation, drawings and specifications and the adaptive reconstruction of the Casita. All work will conform to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Historic Preservation and Archeology. Cornerstones has been working with the Chimayo Cultural Preservation Association for several years to assist and participate in bringing life back into this very significant place. A study of the samples of surface plaster and wash of the Casita Desiderio y Pablita Ortega was partially funded by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Grant. The study will inform the larger Save America's Treasures grant to restore and adapt the house for modern use.
The House at Rael Ranch
Rael Ranch dates to the early 18th century and likely earlier. It has been in the same family since settlement and was an important place along the Camino Rael. The adobe ranch house is a vernacular adobe that sits along the Santa Fe river just before the river enters the La Bajada canyon. It is approximately 35 acres and was acquired by the BLM a few years ago. The BLM designated the Ranch and adjoining lands as an “Area of Critical Environmental Concern” (ACEC). ACEC’s are intended to protect important riparian corridors, threatened and endangered species, habitats, cultural and archeological resources and unique landscapes that the BLM assesses need special management attention.
Samples were taken judiciously from locations within the Rael Ranch house to help advance research into the Historic Structures Report that Cornerstones is preparing for the BLM to assist long term management and preservation of the structure. Samples will document changes and indicate sequences of finishes and architectural changes made to the house over time.
