I had the opportunity to work as a Built Heritage Intern at Parks Canada which provided me with a useful and unique foundation for further growth in the world of Canadian conservation. Throughout the summer, I was able to witness the work of numerous professionals in the field, inspiring my own career goals and exponentially furthering my passion for conservation. The main project for the summer was the creation of three conservation briefs that could be used by a wide range of individuals working on Canadian historic sites. The briefs (Historic Concrete, Concrete Assessment, and Concrete Repairs) outlined what concrete is, the importance of historic documents in conservation practice, proper documentation methods, how to conduct concrete assessment and tests, and how to repair historic concrete. To create the three briefs,I drew upon research techniques and resources from HSPV 7410 Conserving Modern Concrete. The briefs explained the methodology and test methods that were discussed in class, allowing me to further hone my skills in concrete conservation. I also had the opportunity to work on the development of architectural guidelines for Wasagaming Townsite in Riding Mountain National Park. Working on the guidelines allowed me to gain experience in urban planning and community development for areas with historic character. My main task was to create graphics that showcased the types of architectural features that should be implemented in future developments so that the historic character of the area can be maintained. The graphics work allowed me to further the skills that I had developed in the Digital Media course through the use of software such as Adobe Illustrator and Indesign.
Lastly, I had the amazing opportunity to do field work through conducting a condition assessment and window removal on the historic site of Sulphur Mountain Observatory in Banff National Park. During the field work, I largely drew upon the skills learned in HSPV 6010 Documentation, Research, and Recording II. HSPV 6010 teaches you how to properly record a building, such as measurement, drawing, and survey methods. On the site, I was able to effectively use these skills when I recorded the conditions of the building and measured the removed features of the structure (the windows and the door). The recording conducted while on the mountain further enhanced previous documentation of the site and concluded in a scope of work for future conservation practice. During my work in Banff, Jasper National Park, another park in Alberta, had experienced a significant fire that caused devastating impacts to the area and those who lived in it. Thus, in tandem with my Banff projects, I worked to refine and share heritage inventories to allow employees to understand which assets had been damaged and to help survey the sites more efficiently. The work for Jasper allowed me to experience the importance of conservation work during a natural disaster, exposing me to the challenges and techniques of working in a field that is vulnerable to the unpredictability of nature. In summary, my internship with Parks Canada provided me with an opportunity to further the knowledge and skills that I had gained in my first year at the University of Pennsylvania. Working in my hometown of Calgary and on sites I have been visiting since I was a child was an irreplaceable experience that had exceeded my expectations.
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