PORT TOWNSEND — Tim Lawson, a founder of the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, said he believes his small Fort Worden campus can bring a new era of historic preservation to the area.
“Look around,” Lawson said, pointing to the many buildings located within the state park at Fort Worden.
“Pick one of them to work on; they all need it.”
The historic fort is just one step, but it’s a big step in Lawson’s vision for the future of his school.
Currently, Lawson said, there are two legs in place for the school’s structure.
The first leg is the traditional classes teaching students woodworking skills in weeklong courses. Students ages 3 to 79 have signed up for beginning courses, from pounding nails to working with precision hand tools.
The second leg is the master courses, which allow experienced woodworkers to craft high-end furniture, artistic designs from the lathe and even hollow surfboard.
But just like woodworking, any sturdy surface needs at least a third leg, and that is where historic preservation joins with the school.
“Many structures in the area are historic and made from wood frames,” Lawson said.
“Historic preservation is part of the curriculum, but I want it to be a big part of the curriculum.
“A student should be able to go from the school to a historic house in uptown and renovate it.”
Lawson admits there may be a few more steps in there, but he said in the most basic of explanations, that is the direction he sees for the school.
“University of Oregon does this, where they take students to a site for six months and have them work on a building,” Lawson said.
“Here we have the buildings.
“This is an economic driver. It can create workers to stay in the community. We want to get people from the school right into jobs in the community.”
Lawson has a bit of a case study going on at the fort to prove his theory that there is a demand for such a service.
An old military structure once used as the motor vehicle pool building is being brought back to life by a group of students learning historic preservation techniques through the school.
Kevin Palo, an instructor in historic preservation, is leading a group from the Veterans Conservation Corps in the renovation of the building.
“This building was built in 1920, and it needs some work,” Palo said.
“We are starting by restoring the east facade,” said Lawson.
“We have done some structural work and some cosmetic.
“Most of these guys have construction experience, but now they are learning the historic aspect specialty.”
The plan is to renovate the entire building inside and out.
Alex McMurry, historic preservation planner for Washington State Parks, said the state is thrilled with that plan.
“From the parks perspective, this is the best possible solution,” he said.
“We get the work done and also have people learning.
“This was a building without a purpose. It just sat here.
“When this becomes usable again, it will be great. It can become something more than just storage.”
Lawson said he has an idea for the building.
“This project could be the future location of the historic preservation side of things,” he said.
“It shows what can be done.”
A meeting is being held today at 4 p.m. in the Fort Worden Commons to discuss the future of the Port Townsend School of Woodworking.
Lawson said all interested parties are invited to listen to the goals for the school.
For more information, visit the school online at http://www.ptwoodschool.com.
Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
