Life at Willowbank School of Restoration Arts : My Experience

A painting I did of Willowbank School of Restoration Arts in Queenston, Ontario.

I have been eager to share my experiences at Willowbank on here from the beginning, and I have finally gathered all the images and memories to share with anyone who might be interested. Willowbank is a unique school, encompassing three years - two years in class and the third completing an internship.

LIME BURN

In the first week at Willowbank, we delved into the Theory of Masonry Conservation with Keith Blades. We explored the significance of lime mortars and compared their strength to the materials used in masonry walls.

Our initial task was to search the hidden kilns along the Bruce Trail for limestone fragments. Once we gathered these fragments, we chiseled them into smaller pieces that could be easily piled into the kiln. After 11 hours of firing the collected limestone to reach the desired temperature, we examined the results. The following day, we tested the stones in water and sand to create various types of lime mortar and lime plaster.

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Our adventures with Keith Blades!

DRYSTONE WALL

In one of the first weeks at Willowbank, our class completed a dry stone wall, which served as a significant team-building exercise. Under the guidance of two experienced professionals, we constructed the wall on Willowbank's property. We began by laying the largest stones on flat ground. As we worked, we filled the gaps between the larger stones with smaller ones, creating a more stable structure. The larger, thrust stones placed midway through the wall extended from the front to the back, ensuring overall strength.

Each stone had to be carefully fitted into place, which often required chiseling to achieve a perfect fit. Finding a stone that fit perfectly without needing adjustment was a stroke of luck.

The wall was constructed without mortar, which actually makes it stronger than a mortared wall. The lack of mortar allows for constant airflow, enabling the wall to adjust over time and avoid issues like cracking and moisture problems. However, this method isn’t ideal for keeping rodents out of enclosed spaces, and I wouldn’t recommend it as a residential building technique for Canadian winters.

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We built a drystone wall beside the parking lot at Willowbank!

BLACKSMITHING

Blacksmithing is a week-long course in the first year at Willowbank, where we learned to forge our own chisels, pins, and hooks. It was crucial for the forge to reach the right temperature so that the steel could be shaped effectively under the hammer's pressure. We used various punches and hammers to mold the steel, and different techniques for holding and maneuvering the steel allowed for a range of stylistic outcomes. Witnessing the skills and strength of our instructors was incredible and eye-opening.

In addition to the hands-on aspects of the trade, we also studied the theory and history behind blacksmithing. At the end of the week, we visited nearby locations to explore ornate fencing and architectural details, which further enhanced our understanding of the craft.

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Images from throughout the week of our Blacksmithing class.

PLASTER WORK

Our plaster class at Willowbank is a week-long course focused on both the theory and hands-on elements of the trade. Along with a field trip to Nixon Hall in Grimsby, Ontario, where we explored ornamental plaster, we learned about lime plaster used for coating interior and exterior walls.

We started by cutting lathe to create an accordion-like wooden lathe. We also experimented with a metal lathe to see how plaster adhered to different surfaces. We applied a rough first layer of plaster and then finished with a smoother third coat. We discovered that plaster adhered better to the wooden lathe than to the metal. As shown in the pictures, the plaster bonded well with the wood lathe, filling the gaps between the wooden strips. This class provided an engaging and insightful learning experience.

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Plastering a wall on the third floor of Willowbank.

STAIN GLASS

Stained glass is a class that many students are drawn to, as it is a perfect mix of challenging and creative. It is actually much more challenging than it appears. Our stained glass course spans both the first and second years and covers essential aspects of the trade, including cutting glass, painting, leading, and repairing.

We started by learning how to cut glass. Once we mastered this skill, we were given creative freedom to design our own windows, which we worked on throughout the year. This involved selecting colours, creating designs, cutting each piece to fit perfectly, and grinding the edges down. The real challenge came with leading: cutting lead to size and fitting it to hold the glass pieces together. This stage taught us about the strengths and weaknesses of our windows. After leading, we proceeded with soldering and applying patina.

In the second year, we undertook another project of our own design. I chose to restore old windows given to me by a friend, retrofitting them to fit new designs. I also crafted a window frame for casement windows in carpentry class and removed paint from the old window frames.

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First year project

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Second year project

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Field Trips to Toronto Massey Hall and our teachers studio - photos taken from Mackeznie Campbell and my iphone

A fun little project for a friend where I incorporated my love for the Victorian diamond design.

WINDOW CONSERVATION

Window Conservation with Walter Furlan in Hamilton, Ontario is a one-week course offered in both the first and second years. We eagerly anticipate it each time, as it covers various methods for effectively preserving windows. The course involves steps such as properly extracting a window for restoration, assessing it for damage, and treating it accordingly. This may include removing paint, replacing glass, applying putty, and repainting. We also address Dutchmen repairs for wood damage and cracks, and learn about proper weather stripping and historic clasps and accessories.

We are taught about the resilience and sustainability of wooden windows and the importance of preserving them. A well-maintained wood window can last over fifty years before requiring new glass or repairs, and it can then last another fifty years. With field trips and hands-on experience, this class is often a favourite.

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Time spent in Hamilton with Walter Furlan!

DRAFTING & PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE DRAFTING

In our first year at Willowbank, we engage in a variety of classes that develop our hands-on drafting skills. These skills are essential for future classes, including Historic Interiors, AutoCAD, Model Building, and Decorative Arts. We learn crucial drafting techniques for both 2D and 3D work, allowing us to create realistic visual representations.

In the second year, we have a week-long AutoCAD course where we transfer these hands-on skills to the computer. AutoCAD is vital skill for any job that involves visualizing built structures. I was fortunate to have some prior experience from my previous degree, but I definitely enjoyed and expanded my skills further during my time at Willowbank.

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Images from throughout the three years in Design focused classes.

HERITAGE CARPENTRY

Heritage Carpentry is a class that we frequently have throughout our time at Willowbank, involving a range of diverse projects. Doug Vickers, our instructor, brings incredible skill and a deep passion for history to the course. He taught us essential skills such as sharpening chisels, understanding exterior moldings, and creating arches. We also covered wood carving, timber framing, roofing, and furniture restoration, with guidance from various instructors.

Our work includes hands-on projects like the restoration of the third floor of the school, where we revitalized some of the wood flooring, doors, and trim. We were also involved in modern construction tasks, such as building stud walls, drywalling, and creating a temporary staircase for the reconstruction of the front steps at Willowbank. Doug and other skilled woodworkers have provided us with a wealth of knowledge about wood and carpentry, which will be invaluable in our future careers.

Heritage & Rough Carpentry

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Timber Framing

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Roofing & Wood Carving

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Furniture Restoration

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STONE CARVING

When I first heard that we would be taking a course in stone carving, I didn’t think I’d be as interested in it compared to other courses. However, I was very surprised—it turned out to be one of my absolute favourites. Carving stone with a chisel can be challenging and tests your patience, but it is actually more flexible and creative than you would expect. The key is to think ahead, and to have a great teacher.

The limestone we worked with was a softer stone compared to granite, making the task a bit easier. We were each provided with a set of tools for the week and were taught how to use each one and the results they would produce. Danny Barber, a stone carver from Ottawa, visits every year for two weeks to teach both first and second-year students. By the end of the course, everyone successfully carves a masterpiece, if they follow each step. It is all about managing the layers and knowing how much stone to remove at each stage. Stone carving is an absolutely wonderful craft, and I hope these experiences are not the last time I do it!

Carving limestone in second year.

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Images of both our first year and second year projects showing glimpses of the process.

Little polaroids of Mackenzie and I, proud of our work!

MASONRY & BRICK REPLACEMENT

The importance of lime mortars and their compatibility with masonry structures is a key topic at Willowbank and frequently discussed. In our brick and masonry classes, we built brick walls, learning each step required to create a strong and durable structural wall. This task proved to be more challenging than it initially appeared. We experimented with various types of mortars to observe their performance. After completing our brickwork, we ground out the mortar and proceeded to learn how to remove and replace bricks effectively.

We then explored different bond types, arches, and lintels, as well as the theory behind brick and masonry construction. With this knowledge, we attempted to build an arch, which ultimately was successful. Additionally, we dedicated many extra hours to repointing one of the oldest structures in Queenston, Ontario. Repointing involves replacing old mortar after carefully removing it (preferably by hand to minimize damage). Then using a mortar mix of sand and lime to repoint. These experiences have prepared us for our future careers by equipping us not only with valuable knowledge but also with the appropriate terminology.

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Pictures from one of our many masonry classes and repointing.

DECORATIVE ARTS

Decorative Arts was a short but enriching class with Lori Lemare in Hamilton, Ontario, where we delved into the practice of decorative arts. This field is incredibly fascinating and offers a wealth of knowledge, though we only scratched the surface in this class. We learned techniques such as gilding on both ornamental objects and flat surfaces. Additionally, we explored the tools used to achieve such intricate work. Decorative arts encompasses a broad range of skills, including gilding, faux wood graining, floor vinyls, stenciling, and more!

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Our class with Lori Lemare in Hamilton, Ontario.

PAINT THEORY

In this class, we explored paint theory and the process of making our own oil-based paints. It was a fascinating experience where we learned about the components of oil paints, including pigments, and how they are transformed into commercial products. We examined the historical use of oil paint in structures and its evolution to the present day. Additionally, we had the opportunity to create our own oil paint and apply it on the third floor of Willowbank. It was a great hands-on learning experience!

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Images from creating oil paint.

We even did... GRAVESTONE RESTORATION

Gravestone restoration was an intense and interesting course. We learned how to properly clean and care for neglected burial stones. After ensuring they were thoroughly cleaned, we assessed their condition to determine the appropriate next steps.

Many of the gravestones were in either two or three pieces. To restore their structure, we needed to drill holes into each broken stone to insert steel pins and apply mortar. Accurate placement of these holes was important, which was challenging given the stones' decay and illegibility. After drilling, we filled the cracks with mortar to reassemble the gravestones into one solid piece. Finally, we returned the gravestones to their original location in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where we prepared the ground, laid gravel, and repositioned the stones in their home.

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Process of restoring a gravestone.

Willowbank is founded on the philosophy of integrating hands-on learning with theoretical practices, which is crucial for understanding how these perspectives intersect. In our first year, the curriculum was predominantly hands-on. While we did engage in theoretical classes, such as the Historic Structures Report where we completed an in-depth study of the Fry House in Jordan Village.

In our second year, the emphasis shifted to more theory-based courses. This included our Conservation Management Plan (CMP) class, which spans the entire year. The course culminates in a presentation where we showcase our group's proposed conservation management plan. For this project, we worked on the Parliament Oak School in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

To the good and bad times, I wouldnt take this experience back for anything!

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Thankful for the experiences and beautiful people throughout the three years at Willowbank.

Most of the images throughout this post are taken by Mackenzie Campbell, Rick Pali and myself all alumni of Willowbank School of Restoration Arts!