If I had to give one piece of advice to the larger preservation community , it would be this : encourage a young person to get involved in a trade . There just simply aren ’ t enough young people learning any of the traditional skills . I really think it is showing up in the preservation approach .
Photo : Rachel Schoeny
Above : Allen Cochran mixes mortar for use in restoration work at the E . E . Lake General Store in Bluemont , VA ; below : Cochran instructs students on dry stone fence construction at the Waterford Craft School in Waterford , VA .
There are so many simple ways to become involved and make a big impact . Give . Money is always short . Donate money . It ’ s surprising how a little money can start a bigger fire . And we can volunteer . All the little towns are looking for help . And all the preservation groups are looking for help too . I know the Loudoun Preservation Society is .
These are some difficult times we must get through , but like most things , it will come back around eventually . And until then , we must keep pushing forward , making sure that these buildings , views , landscapes , and documents are all still in place when the country decides history is fashionable again .
If I had to give one piece of advice to the larger preservation community , it would be this : encourage a young person to get involved in a trade . There just simply aren ’ t enough young people learning any of the traditional skills . I really think it is showing up in the preservation approach . There has become this “ hands off ” attitude towards any repairs from a lot of preservationists . And for good reason . There just aren ’ t enough craftsmen available anymore that are knowledgeable in traditional methods . I fear in another 15 years there won ’ t be anyone who knows how to pick the correct lumber for exterior siding . It ’ s not Hardieplank . No one will know how to mortise and tendon a timber door jamb . It ’ s not available from Anderson . No one will know what mortar to use in a building built before 1920 . It ’ s not Portland cement . It ’ s hard work , and it takes time and a commitment to learn , but it ’ s worth it . It ’ s so rewarding to work with your hands . Let ’ s encourage these young people to consider a trade . We ’ re really at a critical point .
I love this place , and I don ’ t want to be anywhere else . Someone asked Asa Moore Janney once if he regretted not traveling more . He replied “ No , I haven ’ t seen all of Lincoln yet .” I feel almost the same way . As I get older and my roots go deeper , I know this is where I ’ m supposed to be , and what job I have to do . And one day , I ’ ll be in the ground with all my other ancestors in Lincoln , and that ’ s just fine with me .
Photo : Nancy Griffith-Cochran
Allen Cochran is President of the Loudoun Preservation Society and a direct descendant of the original Goose Creek Quaker meeting member . Raised in Lincoln , he owns and operates Cochran ’ s Stone Masonry , specializing in historic restoration and preservation . Allen lives near Lincoln today with his wife , Nancy , and their daughters , Emily and Montana at Stone Eden Farm .
6 wander I spring • summer 2023