My Nonprofit Reviews

As someone who has interned with Adventures in Preservation since 2011, I can attest to the diversity of their programming and the true value of their volunteer vacations. After writing for them, I participated in their 2011 Glazing at the Gas Station workshop. My experience with AiP was an important factor in my decision to pursue an M.F.A. degree in historic preservation, which I will be receiving from the Savannah College of Art and Design in November. Although much of my time over the past two years has been occupied by schoolwork, I have kept my toe in the organization’s operations, supporting them and their work as I am able to.

The workshop I attended was a cooperative project with the local archaeology, preservation, and heritage organization, The Fairfield Foundation. Co-founders Dave and Thane led our group in removing glass and re-glazing garage windows of a 1930s Texaco station that is being converted into their headquarters with space for storage and community education on Gloucester, VA’s Main Street.

The experience gave volunteers experience in restoring and repairing historic windows, and underscored the “green” value of this preservation practice. The Main Street location and extracurricular activities of the project gave out-of-town volunteers an opportunity to understand historic and contemporary Gloucester, as well as to meet community members, all of whom were very enthusiastic about the project. Community – in my opinion the most important element in historic preservation and volunteer work – is strongly valued by AiP, which made for a successful and satisfying workshop. Although my schedule has not allowed it in the past few years, I am hoping that in the future I can attend another exciting and fulfilling AiP trip (especially one with The Fairfield Foundation, as their partnership with AiP continues to grow!).

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