Fairmont State University Receives Grant to Host Historic Window Preservation Workshop

Fairmont State University Department of Architecture, Art + Design has been awarded a grant through the WV State Historic Preservation Office to offer a hands-on historic trades and window rehabilitation workshop. 

The grant will be used to encourage students to appreciate and understand historic construction techniques while learning hands-on skills to repair historic wood windows. The workshop will also generate an appreciation for how the restoration of old-growth wood windows will aid in the preservation, energy efficiency, and sustainability of historic buildings. 

“Sandra and I both thought a window restoration workshop would be a great way to involve our students in some hands-on learning activities,” said Robert Kelly, Ph.D., Director of the Graduate Architecture Program at Fairmont State and grant recipient. Kelly collaborated with Sandra Scaffidi, Adjunct Professor of Architecture, to obtain this grant. 

Scaffidi stated, “I’m most excited to see our students connect their architectural knowledge with hands-on experience in the building trades. There’s something powerful in appreciating a building’s history and then actively contributing to its preservation—learning how to repair historic windows using traditional methods brings that history to life in a tangible, meaningful way.” 

Project goals include educating students on how to preserve the built heritage of West Virginia and generating awareness of historic building trades. Fairmont State plans to partner with the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) for this project and will receive marketing assistance, preservation knowledge, and assistance in soliciting workshop trainees from the non-profit organization dedicated to historic preservation activities.  

The WV State Historic Preservation Office is an office within the WV Department of Arts, Culture & History. The Office’s mission is to encourage, inform, support, and participate in the efforts of the people of West Virginia to identify, recognize, preserve, and protect the state’s prehistoric and historic structures, objects, and sites. This project connects with the Office’s mission since this workshop will help Fairmont State and PAWV encourage the learning and application of traditional skills through a West Virginia-based historic preservation curriculum.  

As a steward of place, Fairmont State University is deeply committed to preserving Appalachian culture and history and fostering meaningful partnerships that benefit West Virginia. This grant marks the beginning of an exemplary collaboration between Fairmont State and PAWV, enabling the preservation of Appalachia’s physical heritage while offering students a unique educational opportunity and equipping them hands-on experiences that translate directly into their future careers. Together, these efforts reinforce Fairmont State’s vision of being a Great Place to Learn. 

Kelly shared, “Improving our students’ knowledge of wood window restoration further adds to the Architecture Program’s ability to share its expertise in architecture, preservation, and community redevelopment around the state.” 

The historic window restoration workshop will be held in November 2025 and will be open to architecture students, general education students, architects, and the public, though there will be a class size cap to ensure each student can experience the restoration work hands-on. The workshop will be available at no cost to students. 

This grant was obtained with the assistance of the Fairmont State University Office of Sponsored Programs.