7 minute read
IMI/IMTEF
Reviving Ruins in the Former Flour Milling Capital of the World
When it opened in 1880, the Washburn A Mill Complex in Minneapolis was the largest and most technologically advanced flour mill in the world, helping put the city on the map. It’s no wonder the National Historic Landmark, now home to a museum and outdoor event space, requires innovative restoration techniques led by experts to preserve it for generations to come.
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At its peak, the mill produced enough flour to make 12 million loaves of bread daily, ultimately forming the basis of the well-known food company General Mills. But after WWI, Minneapolis’ milling industry began to decline, and by the mid-1960s, the mill closed entirely, left neglected for decades.
Now, it’s up to a team of preservation architects and restoration specialists, with assistance from the International Masonry Institute (IMI) and International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF), to keep it standing – no small feat, considering a 1991 fire left the complex gutted.
Craig Thumstedter, foreperson for signatory contractor Advanced Masonry Restoration (AMR), is leading the crew restoring the mill ruins. Over the last four-and-half years, the project architect, Angela Wolf Scott, AIA, Principal and CEO of MacDonald & Mack, has specified increasingly soft mortar types for the repairs to help prevent the limestone from breaking and cracking.
“The fire made the stone very fragile and porous, and it moves a lot, so the mortar has to be flexible” explains Thumstedter.
Thumstedter just finished up inspections of the repairs his crew made 2 years ago using Type K mortar. It’s performed well, but now the team is testing an even softer mortar type, hot lime.
Because it’s so different from more commonplace mortar types, the project architect required installers to have special training or past experience in the request for bids.
That’s where IMI/IMTEF came in. Together with the Scottish Lime Centre Trust, IMI/IMTEF held a 2-day training for the project team, including the craftworkers at AMR, MacDonald & Mack, and the Minnesota Historical Society. Participants got hands-on experience mixing, preparing, pointing, finishing, and curing lime mortar mixes.
“I think this training session will empower the masons on this project to use a new material well and has alleviated my concerns that we’ll have a material failure. The Mill City Museum ruins are unique, requiring treatments that push everyone involved to seek and grow,” said Wolf Scott, whose firm produced an in-depth Historic Structure Report that documents the complex, evaluates its condition, defines preservation objectives, and recommends remedial work.
Tom Miller, Senior Project Manager at AMR, agrees. “The training will help our crews understand the types of mortars that were used on the building. With this knowledge, they will have a better idea of how to make a lasting repair.”
As for the crew? “We’re really proud to be a part of this project,” says Thumstedter. “It’s amazing to me that thousands of years ago, someone thought to combine these materials to make a mortar that can be applied to buildings. And here we are, thousands of years later, still using the same thing. I hope thousands of years from now, masons look back and think the same.” //
The project team, instructors, and special guests at IMI/ IMTEF’s specialized hot lime training at the BAC Training Center of Minnesota. From left to right, front: David Malone, Pete Kohl, John Slama, Melissa Ekman, Tom Miller, Jason Alferness, Craig Thumstedter, Mark Swanson. Back: Sandy Holm, Matt Hopkins, Marshall Boone, Valerie Heider, Dave Wysocki, Marais Bjornberg, Levi Post, Barry Blazevic.
Pride in the Craft Sets Keystone Job Corps Students Up for Successful Careers
If Keystone Job Corps instructor Robert Gatz teaches his students one thing, it’s to take pride in their work.
But that should come as no surprise. BAC members the world over feel a great sense of accomplishment working with their hands.
Gatz’s former student Jan Gonzalez, BAC Local 1 PA/DE brick apprentice, is no exception. He’s already gained experience helping to build several school projects in Philadelphia, and he’s proud of that. “I love supporting my community and feeling connected to my neighborhood,” he said.
Job Corps gave Gonzalez the skills he needed to make a career where he feels like he can give back. “I was a high school dropout and I wanted to change my life,” he said. “At Job Corps, I got my diploma and learned a trade. It ended up being one of the best things I could do for myself.”
Indeed, Gatz said Gonzalez was a model student. “He took a lot of pride in what he did. He was never satisfied doing a project just once – it had to be perfect. In fact, he was constantly knocking on my door, asking what he could do next. Jan had the drive and willingness to learn anything and everything he could.”
That’s a part of pride – putting in the hard work. Gonzalez appreciates that. “If you put in the time to learn a trade, you’ll make an honest living,” he said.
For as much pride as Gatz took in his work as a bricklayer in the field, he takes even greater pride in his students. “It’s a great feeling when you can see you’re getting your point across as an instructor,” he said.
Gatz helps his students cultivate a good work ethic and independence. “When they come into the shop, hang up their coats, and head straight to the mixer before I even have to say a word – that’s when I know they’re learning. I love seeing that.”
But Gatz is never far off when his students need him. In fact, he says being there for his students and helping them navigate life away from home as they prepare to start a career is key to building a trusting relationship. He even helped Jan with some of his academic coursework to help him advance in the program.
The most rewarding part of Gatz’s job? The look on his students’ faces when he pays them a compliment. “It’s the best sight you’ll see, when you tell someone that they’re doing great work – the smile or astonishment on their faces. A lot of my students want to be hard and tough. Some of them never had a kind word said to them their whole lives. It’s great to be able to support them and build their confidence. That’s when they start getting excited about the career, producing great work, and telling their friends about their experience.”
It certainly paid off for Gonzalez, who’s on his way to building a lifelong career with BAC. “Job Corps is a great opportunity. I love what I do,” he said. //
Gonzalez shows off a project from his pre-job class at the BAC/IMI International Training Center.
REGISTER: IMTEF.ORG/CALENDAR
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES - FALL 2021
The John J. Flynn BAC/IMI International Training Center 17101 Science Drive • Bowie, Maryland • 20715
TRAIN-THE-TRAINER COURSES (IMI INSTRUCTORS)
CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES
As-needed basis (6 person minimum)
November 15-19
OSHA 510 (Online)
OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry - FOR MEMBERS/INSTRUCTORS
OSHA 500 (In Person)
Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction - FOR INSTRUCTORS ONLY
August 30-September 3
OSHA 502 (Online)
Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers - FOR INSTRUCTORS ONLY
September 29-30 6-8 p.m. EST daily
November 2 & 4 6-8 p.m. EST daily Orientation: September 9 7-8 p.m. EST Class: September 13-17 7-10 p.m. EST daily
September 27-29 November 1-3
October 18-22
September 14-29 October 5-20 November 2-17
November 3 7-10 p.m. EST
November 30 6-9 p.m. EST
Foundation for Safety Leadership (Online) - 4 hours
Mentorship Matters: Journeyworkers (Online) - 4 hours
Class size is limited to 20
Foreman Training (Online) - 15 hours
Class size is limited to 20, with a minimum of 10 required to hold class
Historic Masonry Preservation (Hands-On)
Class size is limited to 10. and only open to those that attended the virtual class
JAHN/Conproco/Edison/Lithomex (Hands-On)
Class size is limited to 10
Welding: Maryland (Hands-On) -21/2 Weeks
Class size is limited to 6
ACT Orientation/What is ACT (Online) - 3 Hours
Online Class size is limited to 20
ANSI A108/TCNA Handbook (Online) - 3 Hours
Must have attended the ACT Orientation/What is ACT course
Register online to secure your spot at imtef.org/calendar.
Registration is offered on a first-come first-serve basis. For questions or more information, contact:
