Symposium Home

Galveston’s 12-block Strand/Mechanic National Historic Landmark District contains one of the largest collections of cast-iron historic commercial buildings in the country. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, the City of Galveston received a federal grant to rehabilitate the city’s rich cast iron architectural heritage. In conjunction with the upcoming restoration, Galveston Historical Foundation will be offering a symposium on the history, manufacture and maintenance of cast iron structures in downtown Galveston on April 12-13th, 2012 at the historic Tremont House.

Leading conservators, preservationists and fabricators will speak to the challenges of sustaining these cultural treasures in a coastal environment. Presentation topics will include:

• Anne T. Sullivan “The History of Cast Iron in Architecture”
• J. Scott Howell “The Manufacture of Cast Iron”
• S. Patrick Sparks “Structural Evaluation of Buildings with Cast Iron Elements”
• Doug McLean “The Execution of Cast Iron Construction and Rehabilitation”
• Paul Mardikian “The Conservation and Maintenance of Cast Iron”
• In addition to these presentations, GHF will also hold special workshops, site tours and receptions throughout the symposium.

Made Possible By: