Sara Stratte (MSHP '18) receives Harrison Goodall Preservation Fellowship

The National Park Service, in partnership with Preservation Maryland, announced the recipients of the inaugural Harrison Goodall Preservation Fellowship. The fellowship promotes innovation and professional growth in the field of historic preservation. Sara Stratte (MSHP '18) received a $5,000 grant to pursue a unique self-directed project under the guidance of a mentor, Stratte will research non-destructive technology to document seismic damage on historic adobe. She currently works as the Exhibit Specialist for Restoration at Channel Islands National Park where a 2018 earthquake caused damage to an adobe structure built in 1889. The extent of the damage to this building and other structures like it cannot be fully explored without invasive or destructive techniques. Stratte will use the Smuggler's Ranch, located on Santa Cruz Island, as a case study for non-destructive techniques to diagnose and document unseen deterioration conditions in adobe masonry. 

Stratte chose Michael Spencer as her mentor. Spencer is chair of the Department of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington and specializes in the application on non-destructive technologies, such as infrared thermography diagnostics, to historic preservation projects. Stratte will develop protocols for using infrared thermography to adobe, contribute to preservation literature, and direct upcoming preservation repair work. Stratte's findings will be shared with preservation professionals at various conferences as well as with the NPS as a resource for superintendents, resource managers, and facility managers.