Authenticity in the Preservation of Historical Wooden Architecture - Problems and Challenges-Case Studies from the American South

157 Pages·2020·32.472 MB·\157

by  Tomasz Tomaszek (Author)

AUTHENTICITY IN PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL WOODEN
ARCHITECTURE -PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES

Authenticity in preservation of
Historical Wooden Architecture ­
Problems and Challenges
Case Studies from the American South
Tomasz Tomaszek
Department of Monument Conservation, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and
Architecture, Rzeszow University of Technology; Rzeszów, Poland
CRC Press/Balkema is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK
Typeset by Integra Software Services Pvt. Ltd., Pondicherry, India
All rights reserved. No part of this publication or the information contained herein may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, by photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written prior
permission from the publisher.
Although all care is taken to ensure integrity and the quality of this publication and the
information herein, no responsibility is assumed by the publishers nor the author for any
damage to the property or persons as a result of operation or use of this publication and/or
the information contained herein.
Published by: CRC Press/Balkema
Schipholweg 107C, 2316XC Leiden, The Netherlands
e-mail: [email protected]
www.crcpress.com – www.taylorandfrancis.com
ISBN: 978-0-367-46163-8 (Hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-003-02732-4 (eBook)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003027324
Table of contents
Preface vii
About the author ix
A critical study of the search for authenticity and significance in historic wooden buildings 1
Issue of the reconstruction of wooden log cabins as a part of the interpretation of
historically significant places in West and Middle Tennessee – case studies of Parkers
Crossroads, Meriwether Lewis Monument and Shiloh National Military Park 13
The preliminary recognition of the condition and authenticity of historical log structures
remaining in Cane Ridge community (Antioch, Tennessee) 34
Reconstruction of a group of historic wooden buildings and the authenticity of the
architectural heritage structure – a case study of Wynnewood, Tennessee 77
Authenticity versus interpretation – issues of the preservation of historical wooden
buildings using the example of The Tipton-Haynes Historic Site and The Historic Sam
Davis Home and Plantation, significant historic farms in Tennessee. 106
v

Preface
Historic wooden architecture is one of the most unique types of built heritage. Erected of
organic material, wood, it stays in harmony with the natural surroundings and captivates
subsequent generations with its particular charm. Because of its specificity it directly
depicts the richness of traditional building solutions developed in different parts of the
world and at the same time it contains a record of spiritual values that were important for
those by whom the architectural structures were erected.
Therefore, we should strive to ensure that this valuable part of the world`s cultural heri­
tage is properly protected. Bearing in mind the impermanence of wood as a building mater­
ial, wooden architecture requires a special approach for its preservation. It is significant
that diverse cultures over the centuries have developed not only their own methods of
extending the lifetime of these structures, but also, in a different way, understood the
authenticity of the historical wooden building transmitted in time. And it is this last aspect,
namely the issue of authenticity, which seems to be the key to capturing the character of a
wooden building and the issue of its proper preservation.
This monograph discusses the issue of authenticity in the preservation and protection of his­
torical wooden architecture from the perspective of contemporary conservation thought regard­
ing architectural heritage. It contains five papers that show different aspects of the problem.
The first text, which is also the theoretical introduction to the whole monograph, discusses the
issue of understanding authenticity in relation to the adopted conservation doctrines and the
consequences resulting from those doctrines for the application of the practical solutions.
Subsequent texts analyze the authenticity of the wooden architectural object using
examples of specific conservation solutions and treatments implemented on selected histor­
ical log houses in the American South (the case studies come from the Appalachian region
to the river lands of West Tennessee). These buildings, as important objects of architecture
due to their historical and cultural values, are also structures that determine the identity of
the communities in which they were erected. Conclusions and observations resulting from
the examination of particular case studies are a contribution to the critical discussion of
conservation methods and methodologies used in the area of western culture and their
impact on the authenticity of a historical architectural structure.
The monograph particularly focuses on the considerations relating to the method of pro­
tection and conservation of wooden buildings as a form of specific historical interpretation,
as well as the issue of reconstruction and translocation of a wooden historical building with
regard to the level of its authenticity. In addition, analyses of the essence of historical modi­
fications and the methods of maintaining and displaying wooden structures in relation to
the requirements determining their historical and architectural authenticity are presented
and discussed.
Therefore, the monograph as an important voice in the discussion on appropriate meth­
odologies and methods of the preservation of wooden architecture, is at the same time an
attempt to face the problems resulting from rapidly progressing globalization and the dis­
appearance of local building traditions. Showing various aspects of the authenticity of a
wooden building and discussing them using specific examples, it provides a rich material
for further reflection and thus it is a major contribution to understanding wooden architec­
tural heritage from a new perspective.
vii
Prior to acceptance, the final manuscript has been reviewed by Associate Professor Klaudia
Stala, Director of the Institute of History of Architecture and Monument Preservation, Faculty
of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology, Poland, and by Professor Carroll Van
West, Director of the Center for Historic Preservation, Middle Tennessee State University,
Murfreesboro, TN, USA.
viii
About the author
Dr Tomasz Tomaszek works as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Monuments
Conservation, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture at Rzes­
zow University of Technology in Poland. He graduated with an MFA in Conservation and
Restoration of Fine Art Objects from the Academy of Fine Arts, Krakow, Poland and an
MA in Philosophy, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. He obtained his PhD (with
honors) in Technical Science in Discipline of Architecture and Urbanism (specialty: history
and conservation of monuments of architecture and urbanism) at Krakow University of
Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Department of the History of Architecture and Con­
servation of Monuments, Krakow, Poland.
Dr Tomaszek furthered his professional qualifications by participating in several inter­
national specialist courses and additional studies, including:
– International Course on Wooden architecture conservation and restoration, organized
by ICCROM, Petrozavodsk State University, UNESCO Chair “Wooden Architecture
Research and Preservation” and Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation; Petro­
zavodsk and open-air museum Kizhi, Russia;
– Course on Management and Monitoring of World Heritage Sites with special reference
to China, organized by State Administration of Cultural Heritage China, ICCROM
and China Academy of Cultural Heritage; The Summer Palace World Heritage Site,
Beijing, China;
– International Course on Conservation of Built Heritage (CBH14), organized by
ICCROM, Rome, Italy;
– 14th International Course on Wood Conservation Technology (ICWCT 2010) – A
Course on the Conservation of Cultural Heritage Made of Wood, organized by Rik­
santikvaren - The Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway, Oslo, Norway; and
“Architecture – Continuing Education”, Norwegian University of Science and Tech­
nology, Trondheim, Norway
Dr Tomaszek is a laureate of many prestigious scholarships/fellowships, such as:
– Senior Scholar Fellowship at AATU – Tianjin University Research Institute of Archi­
tectural Design and Urban Planning, Tianjin, China; research fellowship from
UNESCO/People`s Republic of China (The Great Wall) Co-Sponsored Fellowships
Programme
– Senior Scholar Fellowship at Institute of Architecture, Chang`An University, Xi`An,
China; research fellowship from China Scholarship Council;
– Research Fellowship at the Center for Historic Preservation, Middle Tennessee State
University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA; research grant from the Kosciuszko
Foundation;
– Study visit in Riksantikvaren -The Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway, Oslo,
Norway – study visit was possible due a scholarship/grant from FSS Scholarship and
Training Fund;
– Scholarships (three times) “Polish Culture Worldwide Programme”, Adam Mickiewicz
Institute, Poland.
ix