Building Diversity in the Trades
In our Trade Stories video series, we shined a light on what a career in the preservation trades looks like and the tradespeople who do the physical work of repairing and restoring our historic structures. In this webinar, we take a deeper dive into the industry and perceptions surrounding who trades careers are for.
Although a 2023 study commissioned by the League documented a high level of career satisfaction amongst preservation tradespeople, it also showed that the workforce lacks diversity. Study participants noted that the industry can be hostile to women, people of color, and anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+. For the preservation trades to thrive, we must create safe and welcoming training opportunities and workplaces for all.
In this panel discussion, we hear from workforce development experts, educators, and tradespeople who are doing the important work of attracting, educating, and employing a more diverse workforce.
Panelists include:
Lindsay Jones, Owner, Blind Eye Restoration
Maria Klemperer-Johnson, Founder and Executive Director: Hammerstone School
Neela Wickremesinghe, Director of Restoration and Preservation at Green-Wood Cemetery
The panel was moderated by Milan Jordan, Director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's HOPE Crew.
Trades Stories was made possible by a grant from the Historic Preservation Education Foundation, with additional support provided by the Peggy N. & Roger G. Gerry Charitable Trust.
Lindsay Jones, Owner, Blind Eye Restoration
With over 20 years of experience in hands-on historic preservation, Lindsay Jones is a nationally recognized leader in conservation practices. She believes that anyone with an interest in hands-on conservation has the potential to be a preservationist—a philosophy that has shaped and grown her company, Blind Eye Restoration.
As a recognized professional by the Association for Preservation Technology International, Lindsay has worked across the country, helping individuals and organizations achieve their preservation goals. Her expertise spans building assessments, sculpture restoration, and large-scale conservation projects. Notable projects include the Hartman Rock Garden (Springfield, OH), The Salmagundi Club (New York, NY), Stanford University’s Cantor Art Museum (Palo Alto, CA), Arts in Stark Public Art Collection (Canton, OH), and Asbury Church (Savannah, GA).
Beyond her restoration work, Lindsay is dedicated to education and advocacy. She leads hands-on conservation workshops for the public and teaches the Preservation Studio Arts class at Ft. Hayes Technical High School in partnership with Columbus Landmarks.
Her work has been featured in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Magazine, the Dumbarton House’s Women in Preservation exhibition, and the True Tales from Old Houses podcast. In 2024, the Ohio History Connection recognized two of Blind Eye Restoration’s projects with State Historic Preservation Awards for Excellence.
Maria Klemperer-Johnson, Owner, Lead Instructor at Hammerstone School
Maria Klemperer-Johnson is the owner of Hammerstone School, head teacher, and lead carpenter on Hammerstone construction projects. Maria’s passion for building, in particular natural building and timber framing is apparent in her work and in her classes. She is a proponent of high performance construction using natural materials.
When not busy running Hammerstone, Maria spends enjoys time with her family and pets, swimming in the finger lakes, and maintaining a small homestead and cider orchard.
Neela K. Wickremesinghe, Director of Restoration and Preservation at The Green-Wood Cemetery
Neela K. Wickremesinghe is the Director of Restoration and Preservation at The Green-Wood Cemetery. She began work at Green-Wood in 2016. Neela and her team are responsible for all repairs at the cemetery from small monument resets to large vault and mausoleum restorations. Before her time at Green-Wood Neela worked as a conservation technician and site foreman for EverGreene Architectural Arts during which she had the privilege of working on some of New York’s most iconic buildings such as the New York Public Library, Park Avenue Armory, and to her delight many Broadway theaters. A graduate of Smith College, Neela received a B.A in Art: Architecture and Urbanism. She completed her M.S. in Historic Preservation at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. She is a Professional Associate of the American Institute of Conservation and a Recognized Professional by the Association for Preservation Technology. She is an active member of the Preservation Alumni group for GSAPP and enjoys teaching up-and-coming construction professionals each spring as part of the Bridge to Crafts Careers workforce development program. She continues to have the same hobbies as she did as a kid; saxophone and softball. Follow along with her and her projects @brooklyn_conservator.
Milan Jordan, Director of the HOPE Crew at the National Trust for Historic Preservation
With a background in architecture and a passion for nonprofit management, Milan Jordan’s career is the intersection of mission-driven work for built and cultural environments. Milan is currently the Director of the HOPE Crew at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. HOPE Crew is bringing Hands-On Preservation Experience to the next wave of preservation tradespeople. Under Milan’s leadership, the program has developed partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with colleges of architecture. Expanding from traditional trades training, the program now also engages architecture students on documentation methods and technology that builds on architecture education and supports the preservation movement.
Prior to joining the National Trust, Milan was Director of Workforce and Emerging Professionals at the American Institute of Architects where she developed programming and resources for early-career professionals as well as women architects. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Architects Foundation, prior she served on the inaugural advisory committee for the 2023 AIA Women’s Leadership Summit and has enjoyed other civic leadership including the Traditional Trades Training Task Force and Preservation Priorities Task Force. Milan holds a Master of Architecture degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelors of Arts in American Studies from University of Maryland, College Park. In her spare time she is a Pilates instructor and enjoys tending to a large collection of indoor plants and exploring natural wonders.