Nantucket Historical Association Hosts International Initiative for Climate Action in Built Heritage Conservation

The Nantucket Historical Association is launching a four-week program focusing on climate action and sustainable conservation of built heritage, involving international professionals in the restoration of the Candle Factory North Wall at the Whaling Museum. The initiative aims to assess climate risks and develop effective adaptation strategies, ultimately enhancing global cooperation on heritage conservation amid climate change.

The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is hosting an international cohort of professionals for a four-week initiative titled “Climate Action for Sustainable Built Heritage Conservation and Management.” This program will focus on the ongoing restoration of the Candle Factory North Wall at the Whaling Museum, which commenced earlier this month, and aims to enhance flood mitigation and resilience efforts on Nantucket Island. Niles Parker, Executive Director of NHA, expressed enthusiasm about the program, highlighting its importance as a continuation of their efforts initiated during a 2022 symposium in collaboration with the National Park Service. The NHA’s endeavor began with an eight-week assessment program for its properties conducted in 2023 in conjunction with professionals and students. Chosen from nearly 200 applicants, 11 experts from countries including Japan, Iraq, Albania, Spain, Kenya, Portugal, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, and India will participate in this course, which runs from October 28 to November 22. Objectives encompass evaluating climate risks to built heritage, devising monitoring and adaptation strategies, and fostering a global network of professionals. Participants will engage in lectures, practical workshops, and site visits to ongoing NHA restoration projects, culminating in public presentations of their findings. Glenn Boornazian of Integrated Conservation Resources, Inc. (ICR) remarked, “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.” He emphasized the need for action and the significance of this new program in generating crucial data for cultural heritage sites globally. In January 2024, the NHA formalized a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). This partnership aims to advance collaborative research, training, and field projects to influence global climate action policies in heritage conservation, which the NHA deems essential for safeguarding its historic sites while contributing to the broader conservation community. Dr. Rohit Jigyasu of ICCROM looked forward to this fruitful collaboration, stating, “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.” ICCROM, an intergovernmental organization located in Rome and funded by UNESCO, focuses on the conservation of diverse cultural heritage. Founded post-World War II, it unites scientists, architects, and educational institutions to foster restoration and preservation programs for cultural sites.

The NHA’s initiative seeks to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change on historical and cultural structures. The program signifies a commitment to developing practical and specialized knowledge to safeguard and manage built heritage in an era of increasing environmental threats. It brings together global professionals to foster collaboration and enhance resiliency practices specific to local contexts while contributing to worldwide conservation efforts.

The NHA’s engagement with international professionals through the Climate Action program marks a significant step towards enhancing heritage conservation practices in the face of climate change. By establishing a collaborative network and creating site-specific data, the NHA aims to strengthen flood mitigation efforts and ensure sustainable management of Nantucket’s historical sites. The partnership with ICCROM is pivotal in shaping global best practices and influencing policies related to built heritage conservation.

Original Source: nantucketcurrent.com