2025 APT DC Symposium – Unforeseen Conditions

When
Friday, September 05, 2025
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Location
True Reformer Building, 1200 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009
Registered
121 registrants

Registration

(depends on selected options)

Base fee:

1. Member – $125.00
APT DC Members
2. Non-Member – $150.00
3. Current/Recent Federal Employee – $75.00
Please email symposium@aptdc.org to request registration code.
4. Student – $25.00
Please email proof of student status to symposium@aptdc.org.
5. Virtual Only – $75.00
Zoom access information will be provided the week of the event.
6. Speaker
Use code provided in speaker agreement email.

Registration is closed

The Washington, DC Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology is pleased to announce its Fall 2025 Symposium. This year's theme is Unforeseen Conditions.

Adaptability is key to the success of projects involving rehabilitation of historic sites, as Unforeseen Conditions have the ability to derail even the most carefully laid plans. These unforeseen conditions can take a variety of forms, such as concealed conditions or features, or unknown previous alterations. They can also take the form of newly discovered treasures including previously unknown historical documentation found in an archive or buried and long forgotten historical artifacts.

The methods for handling these unforeseen conditions are as varied as the conditions themselves, often requiring unique and creative solutions. This symposium will focus on unique challenges with unforeseen conditions including:

What was the discovered unforeseen condition and in what context was it found?
How was the unforeseen condition investigated?
How did the unforeseen condition affect the progress or direction of the project?
What creative solutions were developed to handle the unforeseen condition?
How will this experience inform planning for a similar unforeseen condition in the future?

The presentations include:

Case studies of preservation projects with significant unforeseen conditions.
Application of new or novel technologies and techniques in the handling of unforeseen conditions.
Compelling lessons learned and recommendations.

The symposium will include eight (8) paper presentations, a walking tour, and an optional happy hour. Our keynote presentation will be given by Greg Galer, Executive Director of the Association for Preservation Technology International, with an introduction by former APTI President Taryn Williams.

This year's symposium is available for in-person and virtual attendees. A recording of all of the presentations will be provided to registrants upon request.

Agenda:

8:30AM – 9:00AM	Breakfast and Check-in
9:00AM – 9:10AM	Welcome Remarks Zachary Burt (APT DC President), Kevin Wohlgemuth (APT DC Symposium Committee Chair)
9:15AM – 10:00AM	Keynote Address: "We'll figure it out." — Embracing the Challenges and Opportunities of the Unforeseen Greg Galer (Executive Director APTI), introduction by Taryn Williams (former APTI President)
10:05AM – 10:50AM	A Visible Vault: Floored by Historic Structures Nancy Bateman (National Building Museum), Nicholas Sowatzke (TYLin)
10:55AM – 11:25AM	Conditions Change in a Flash: Failing Lead Flashing at Davidge Hall Hannah St. Onge (The Christman Company)
11:30AM – 12:00PM	Uncovering History — Re-Use and Redevelopment in Washington, DC James Ballard (GBG Group)
12:00PM – 1:00PM	Lunch
1:00PM – 1:30PM	Into the Thicket: Using GNSS and Airborne LiDAR to Map Overgrown Bench Terraces at the Saunders Farm Chris Robey (National Park Service)
1:35PM – 2:05PM	Criteria for Evaluation, Treatment, and Replacement of Terra Cotta Masonry Charu Chaudhry (Thornton Tomasetti)
2:10PM – 2:40PM	So, you bought an old house? The Top 10 things your structural engineer wants you to know. Michael Zajac (SGH)
2:40PM – 2:55PM	Afternoon Break
2:55PM – 3:25PM	Lurking Leaks: The Impacts of Unforeseen Water Intrusion at UCLA's Powell Library John D. Lesak, Sarah E. Brummett (Page & Turnbull)
3:30PM – 4:00PM	"The Forms of Things Unknown": Transferring the North Wall of the Folger Shakespeare Library Grace Meloy (TYLin)
4:00PM – 4:05PM	Closing Remarks Kevin Wohlgemuth (APT DC Symposium Committee Chair)
4:15PM – 6:00PM (including travel)	Walking Tour Options: - Grimke School + African American Civil War Memorial Museum - Howard University + Myrtilla Miner Building (TOUR FULL)
6:00PM – 7:30PM	Happy Hour (optional) Right Proper Brewing Company

Registration Fees:

APT DC Member	$125
Non-Member	$150
Current or recent Federal Employee*	$75
Virtual Only	$75
Student	$25
Happy Hour (optional ticket)	$10

*A registration code is required for this option. Please email symposium@aptdc.org to obtain your code.

Registration includes full breakfast and lunch, AIA CEUs, APT DC swag, and a walking tour. A separate happy hour ticket includes drinks and light snacks following the symposium program. Please join us for both!

Continuing Education: 6.0 LU/HSW AIA CEU credits are approved (5.0 for the presentation sessions and 1.0 for the walking tour).

Volunteer Cleaning Day at Oak Hill Cemetery (9/6): Join APT DC on Saturday, September 6, for a volunteer cleaning event at Oak Hill Cemetery. 4.0 LU/HSW AIA CEUs are approved. For more information and to register: https://aptdc.org/event-6259636.

Please contact symposium@aptdc.org if you have any questions.

P.O. Box 9813 Washington, DC 20016

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