Trades Takeover is back! In this episode, Director of Historic Trades Natalie Henshaw speaks with Melanie Weston, one of our panelists for the inaugural American Historic Trades Summit. Held from June 12 – 14, in Providence, Rhode Island, the Summit will develop a network for historic trades training programs, creating a central source of knowledge and resources on how to start, maintain, and propel a training program. As General Manager of Heritage Restoration Inc., Melanie is responsible for the oversight, development, and outreach of the business. Melanie will participate in Session 7: Employer Perspectives, alongside Julie Butler of Durable Restoration Company and Naomi Doddington of Consigli. These different employers will discuss how training programs can meet industry needs and ensure graduates get quality jobs.

Melanie is a graduate of Clemson University’s Master in Historic Preservation, and has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Mills College. She spent her early career restoring windows, although quickly rose to become responsible for overseeing preservation, maintenance, and capital improvements of structures and landscapes for Historic New England at the Eustis Estate in Milton, Massachusetts as well as nine other properties in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Concurrent with her role as General Manager, Melanie helps administer and teach for Providence Preservation Society’s Window & Workforce Training Program and is Chairperson for the Window Preservation Standards Collaborative. The WPSC’s Fifth Summit will be held at Pine Mountain Settlement School in Kentucky October 8 – 13, 2023.