The Newport Restoration Foundation’s Historic Trades Initiative provides opportunities for new and experienced craftspeople to expand their skills, learn new trades, and gain expertise in the historic trades.
Preservation Trades Specialist Program
What You Will Learn
This course offers a broad perspective on a variety of traditional trade areas and how they differ from contemporary construction. Students will gain a working knowledge of how to identify and approach repairs on historic buildings and how to seek reliable resources.
- Historic Preservation Fundamentals
- Traditional Building Style
- Building Analysis
- Blueprint Reading
- Carpentry of Framing
- Windows, Doors, and Millwork
- Brick and Stone Masonry
- Traditional Plaster
- Historic Paints and Finishes
- Historic Metalwork
- Historic Roofing
What To Expect
Each week a different subject area is covered by subject matter experts who share their time and knowledge. Students will spend time in both the classroom and in a learning lab environment to practice traditional techniques.
Lead Instructor:
J. Scott McDowell, owner of Rockwood Joinery, has been the lead instructor of the NRF Preservation Trades Specialist program since its inception in 2022. In 2026 we will welcome our fifth cohort of students. Scott brings 30+ years of experience in historic preservation. He graduated from North Bennet Street in preservation carpentry, worked for the National Park Service, and currently owns his own preservation company. He is a member of the Timber Framers Guild, Preservation Trades Network, and the Carpenters Fellowship, UK. Scott has a deep understanding of the historic trades and is a skilled instructor in teaching hands-on techniques for completing a restoration.
FAQ
Who can attend this program?
This program is geared toward students who have a background in construction who wish to broaden their knowledge of the preservation trades. Anyone currently working on historic homes, or hoping to, should take this class.
- Current residential or commercial construction workers
- Interest in a career in the preservation trades
- 2+ years of field experience
- Enthusiasm for preservation, but previous knowledge is not required
What certifications do participants receive?
Participants in this course receive an NRF certification of course completion with 60 hours of preservation training. Certification hours can be used toward future preservation apprenticeship coursework.
How can I get more information?
For more information, contact NRF’s Historic Trades Initiative Manager:
Kris Turgeon
kris@newportrestoration.org
401-556-7165
Date and Time January – March 2026
Tuesday & Thursday
5:00-7:30pm
12 week course
January 13 – March 29
Location
449 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840 + additional locations in Newport
Cost This program costs $300. A sliding fee schedule may be available.
How to Apply
Applications are now closed for the 2025 cohort.
Please join our mailing list or contact Kris Turgeon for more information.
Job Shadowing: NRF Preservation Crew
Why Job Shadow
54% of Newport properties are considered historic, which makes Aquidneck Island an ideal center to learn the historic trades. Through this job shadowing program, participants will understand the breadth of trades involved in preservation and where their interests intersect. Once complete, participants will have insight into a career in the historic trades.
What You Will Learn
This five-day job shadowing program provides opportunities for community members to gain experience in the preservation trades, including:
-
Painting
-
Carpentry
-
Site Preparation
Who Should Participate
- Anyone with a strong interest in working in the trades.
- 18+ years
- Basic construction skills are a plus, but not required.
- Able to lift 50 lbs. and stand for several hours.
What to Expect
- Job shadowing is an ideal way to learn firsthand about the day-to-day work of a professional in the historic trades. Participants will shadow a different team member each day, rotating through the field crew, mill, and museum staff.
- Job shadows also provide opportunities for participants to build professional relationships with people in preservation. By having in-depth conversations with a professional and meeting his or her colleagues, a participant can expand their professional network
Date and Time
8:00am – 4:30pm for five days
Days can be consecutive or staggered over several weeks for a total of 40 hours
Location Each day starts at the NRF Mill (62 Halsey St, Newport)
Participants will then travel to the job site with NRF Crew
Compensation Participants will be paid a stipend of $600 for five days.
How to Apply Please complete this online application
Historic Carpentry Internship
What You Will Learn
The internship is an up to 12-week full-time position at NRF’s carpentry mill (62 Halsey Street, Newport). The intern will work under the supervision of NRF’s Mill Supervisor who will guide the daily prioritization of work to be completed. The mill’s primary role is to repair or recreate interior and exterior property features such as windows, doors, trim, clapboard, and staircases for installation on NRF properties.
What To Expect
Participants in this internship will learn how to:
- Perform the duties of a carpenter, including the repair/reproduction of window frames, sash, doors, ridge boards, moldings, water tables, corner boards, frieze boards, soffit, and any other elements of exterior and/or interior trim; cut, set, sanding, and glaze glass.
- Assess the existing conditions of historic material and assist in helping NRF make sound decisions regarding preserving, repairing, restoring, or replacing historic materials or features.
- Operate safely and expertly the following equipment: table saw, band saw, 6” auto-feed molding machine, shaper, 12” disc sander, drill press, bench grinders, mortising machine, and all types of hand tools.
- Maintain existing equipment and machinery to ensure safe operation.
- Paint, varnish, and stain woodwork.
What You Should Know
Applicants should have:
- Knowledge of basic operation of stationary machinery: thickness plainer, miter box, radial arm saw, and table saw
- 1 year of base carpentry experience or training. Preservation training is not necessary
- Knowledge of machinery safety protocol
- Reliable transportation to the NRF Mill
Schedule
8:00am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday
June – August 2025
Location
Each day starts at the NRF Mill (62 Halsey St, Newport)
Participants will then travel to the job site with NRF Crew
Compensation $18.00 per hour as an NRF employee
Housing may be available
How to Apply
Please complete this online application
Applications are now closed.
University Field Internship
What You Will Learn
Students in preservation, or a related field, will work alongside NRF’s Preservation Crew to gain hands-on experience with fieldwork. This is an opportunity for students interested in preservation to better understand the hands-on aspects of the profession.
Areas of exposure:
- Paint Crew- Intern will work primarily in the field. Work entails interior and exterior restoration of our properties. Intern will participate in planning and completion of finish work alongside crew. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, painting, window repair, and glazing. Intern will be expected to use exterior ladders to second floor.
- Mill Crew– NRF’s mill creates and repairs architectural elements for use at NRF historic properties. Intern will fulfill two roles- update administrative logbooks used within the mill, and based on intern’s skill level, work with mill supervisor to complete select fine carpentry projects. This may include wood milling, molding creation, door repair, or storm window repair.
- Carpentry Crew– Intern will support crew during the yearly house check process where staff assess project needs for each property. Once complete, the materials associated with the checks (forms & photos) will be organized and uploaded for seasonal work planning. Intern will also shadow crew members during property repairs to better understand the field carpentry process. Based on the intern’s skill level, they may participate in physical repairs to properties.
- General
- Assess the existing conditions of historic material and assist in helping NRF make sound decisions regarding preserving, repairing, restoring, or replacing historic materials or features.
- Preparation and organization of historic documents used to track repairs to historic properties.
- Shadow Construction Manager during development of scopes of work for subcontracted projects.
Who Should Participate
Upperclassman or graduate students in preservation or in a related field.
- No prior experience in construction is necessary, but beneficial.
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs. & stand for long periods of time.
What to Expect
The internship requires students to work primarily outdoors supporting the NRF crew. As the intern masters repair techniques and machinery use, more responsibility will be assigned. The intern will have the opportunity to work with a variety of departments over the course of the internship.
Schedule
6-8 weeks during April/May/June or September/October/ November
Start date is negotiable
Work with the NRF Crew two 8 hr days per week. Wednesday and Thursday is preferrable.
As this is a new program, there is no pre-existing approval for this program as a credit-bearing internship program. However, should a student request credit toward their degree program, NRF will fully participate and support such endeavors.
Location Each day starts at the NRF Mill (62 Halsey St, Newport)
Participants will then travel to the job site with NRF Crew
Compensation Intern will be paid $18 per hour by NRF as an NRF employee
How to Apply Please complete this online application