Two classes, Fundamentals of Brick Repointing and Repair and Introduction to Porch Repair and Reconstruction, are being offered by the Pythagoras School for Skilled Building Craftsmanship in conjunction with the Historic Jackson Ward Association, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, and Davies Masonry and Restoration Inc. The classes will be held from 8AM-4PM daily on April 7-11 and April 14-18 (respectively) and will take place at 1 West Duval Street.

The objective of Fundamentals of Brick Repointing and Repair is to instruct masons in the basics of working with deteriorated masonry. The historic house at 1 West Duval Street that will be the focus of the class is an early 20th century Colonial Revival townhouse. The building has suffered from years of neglect from previous owners and the current owners, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, are developing long-term plans for rehabilitation.

Skills that will be taught in the class include:

• Working with lime mortars
• Joint cleaning and preparation
• Needling and bracing unstable masonry
• Repointing common brick
• Working with pressed brick

The class is limited to 6 students. Each student must have demonstrated experience and knowledge in working with brick masonry. Students must provide safety shoes and glasses, work gloves, and suitable work clothes. Each participant must provide their own brick trowel, brick hammer, and masons’ brush.

Introduction to Porch Repair and Reconstruction will be dedicated to the repair and reconstruction of a historic porch at 1 W. Duval Street. The class will involve all aspects of porch work including:

• Stabilization and securing the porch structure
• In-kind replacement of deteriorated elements
• Reconstruction of missing elements.

The class is limited to 8 students. Each student must have demonstrated experience in working in construction. Students must have a framing square, framing hammer, and level. Students must also provide work boots and safety glasses, work gloves, and suitable work clothes.

Complete scholarships are provided to persons working in construction as masons, laborers, or apprentices; or as carpenters, apprentices, and laborers. The cost of each class is $500 to all others. The cost of the class is generously being underwritten by a grant from the Historic Jackson Ward Association and donated services and materials from Davies Masonry and Restoration Inc.

Student selections will be prioritized on the basis of the experience, enthusiasm, and career goals. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 PM on March 28, 2008. Call 804-386-9516, e-mail ttylerpotterfield@gmail.com, or write the Pythagoras School at 312 S. Cherry Street, Richmond, Va 23220 to obtain an application or for more information.