The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is leading an international program focused on climate action for heritage conservation, involving professionals from around the world. The initiative, which includes restoration efforts for the Whaling Museum’s Candle Factory, aims to assess climate risks and develop strategies for resilience in built heritage, and marks an important step in collaborative global conservation efforts.
The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is set to host a diverse group of international professionals for a transformative four-week program titled “Climate Action for Sustainable Built Heritage Conservation and Management.” This initiative, which commenced with the restoration of the North Wall of the Whaling Museum’s Candle Factory in October, emphasizes the essential aspects of flood mitigation and resilience efforts on the island of Nantucket. The program builds upon two years of preparatory work that began after the inaugural symposium on climate change conservation in collaboration with the National Park Service in 2022. “We are thrilled to launch this program and continue this critical work that has been two years in the making… we have real-time restorations underway that were identified as priority projects to safeguard the island’s historic buildings from climate and disaster risks,” stated Niles Parker, Executive Director of NHA. From nearly 200 applicants, 11 professionals from countries including Japan, Iraq, and India were selected to participate, and the course is designed to address climate risks to built heritage, develop monitoring strategies, and nurture a global network of experts. Participants can expect a combination of lectures, hands-on workshops, and site visits to restoration projects, culminating in presentations shared with the public by the NHA, ICCROM, and ICR. In January 2024, a three-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NHA and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), marking a formal partnership aimed at enhancing collaborative research and methodologies for addressing climate challenges in heritage conservation. This commitment represents the first of its kind and is deemed vital for preserving Nantucket’s historic sites while contributing valuable information through ICCROM’s extensive networks. Rohit Jigyasu, Programme Manager at ICCROM, expressed enthusiasm for the innovative training course: “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.”
The collaboration between the Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) and international organizations like ICCROM marks a significant advancement in combating the effects of climate change on cultural heritage sites. The program emphasizes the importance of site-specific data to understand and mitigate risks associated with climate change on built heritage. Through this initiative, the NHA aims to not only enhance its own restoration efforts but also contribute to global understanding and methodologies for heritage conservation. The organization’s commitment is reinforced by both the feedback from previous symposia and the practical experiences that the program participants will gain through direct involvement in restoration projects.
The Nantucket Historical Association’s initiative to host an international training program underscores the growing recognition of the urgent need to address climate change impacts on heritage sites. By assembling experts from around the world, the NHA is fostering a collaborative environment aimed at generating actionable data and strategies for sustainable conservation practices. This groundbreaking program not only emphasizes the significance of the restoration work being done in Nantucket but also positions the island as a leader in global efforts to safeguard built heritage from climate risks.
Original Source: nantucketcurrent.com
