Introducing Our New Project Manager, Randy Skeirik
With nearly 35 years of experience in the field of historic preservation, Randy Skeirik is a licensed architect with a master’s degree in architecture and a Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Virginia. He has dedicated his career to the preservation of historic structures throughout the United States Randy has extensive experience in the interpretation and application of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties through his work with two State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and nonprofit preservation organizations For the last fifteen years of his career he served as an Historical Architect with the Vanishing Treasures Program of the National Park Service where he gained considerable experience with traditional earthen architecture. Randy is currently leading the Lake Valley (near Hillsboro, NM) Preservation projects. Training workshops include restoring a miner’s adobe home, roofing, bat remediation and window and door restoration. In a very rural and isolated area, Randy has been working safely by himself with intermittent help from the BLM site volunteer. Lake Valley was a very important silver mining town in the late 19th century that went bust overnight and is now an interpreted and often visited ghost town managed by the Bureau of Lands Management.
Top Images: Museum Protection, Lake Valley Schoolhouse
Bottom Images: Lake Valley Schoolhouse Attic, Randy Skeirik
A New Alexandra Ward Fellowship Awardee, Issac Logsdon
Issac began with Cornerstones as a volunteer in the fall of 2018 after receiving his degree in Ceramics and Art History from the Kansas City Art Institute. He came back to New Mexico to reconnect with his mestizo heritage and the adobe traditions his ancestors had practiced for generations. His first experience with adobe was a five-week stint in Death Valley National Park, learning from Kurt Gardella while restoring a 1930s perimeter wall built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Since Death Valley, he has been able to work at Pecos National Historic Park, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, various projects on BLM land, and in our community here in northern New Mexico. Hands-on historic preservation of earthen buildings has brought together his deep interests in clay, architecture, history, and reconnecting with his heritage. Issac has been selected due to his enthusiasm for the work of Cornerstones and his desire to learn and improve his skills in traditional building technology and community outreach in New Mexico. He is currently field leader for the Rael Ranch Project and is currently cleaning its 1721 acequia. Cornerstones is delighted to announce him as the 2020 Alexandra Ward Fellow.
Alexandra Ward Fellow, Issac Logsdon, cleaning the Rael Acequia at the Rael Ranch, New Mexico
Cornerstones applauds all our essential workers as they continue to provide for others. Please follow the government mandated social distancing guidlines and stay safe and in good spirits.
