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 donate their time and knowledge. Students will spend time in both the classroom and in a lab environment to practice traditional techniques.

    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, Preservation 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 2025 

    Tuesday & Thursday

    5:00-7:30pm

    12 week course

    Location                  IYRS Campus

    449 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840 + additional locations in Newport

    Cost                                This program costs $250. A sliding fee schedule may be available.

    How to Apply

    Please complete this online application

     

     

    Job Shadowing: NRF Preservation Crew

    Why Job Shadow

    54% of Newport properties are considered historic which makes Newport and Aquidneck Island ideal areas to learn the historic trades.  Through this job shadowing program, participants will understand the breadth of trades involved in preservation and where their interests lie. Once complete, participants will have insight into whether they wish to pursue 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 or, if necessary, 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.
      • Provide painting, varnishing, and staining for 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 due by May 23, 2025

         

         

        College Field Internship

        What You Will Learn

        University preservation, or related field, students will work alongside the Preservation Crew to gain more hands-on experience with fieldwork. This is an opportunity for someone with a desire to move into the preservation trades access to the craft side of preservation.

        Subject areas include painting, carpentry, mill shop, site preparation, and masonry. Additional areas based on student interest: site documentation, architectural fragments collection, and landscaping.

        • Learn the intricacies of the duties performed by a traditional carpenter, including repairing the historic fabric of colonial properties in the field.
        • Assess the existing conditions of historic material.
        • Operation of power equipment in mill shop.
        • Painting, staining, and other finishes on woodwork.

         

        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                   One semester long, start date based on academic calendar 

        Monday – Friday      8:00am – 4:30pm 

                

        20-40 hours per week

        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