Building Technology Heritage Library

Rather than start with one individual book from our firms library, I thought it would be better to start with acknowledging another great reference library, and it’s free!

The brain child of Dean Koga, a long time member of the Association for Preservation Technology, is a collection of manufacturer’s publications. This digital library received its first documents in September of 2010 and has grown to nearly sixteen thousand (16,000) publications.

Some publications include: Home Builders Catalog (distributor of house plans), Sweet’s Architectural Catalog (Listing of numerous material suppliers of construction materials), Northern Electric Company (manufacturer of electrical systems and equipment), Stanley (manufacturer of tools), Sherwin Williams Company (paint manufacturer).

The Building Technology Heritage Library is one of the most user-friendly resources on the internet. It’s possible to search the holdings by simply entering a word or phrase, such as “Sherwin Williams.” When I searched Sherwin Williams, I found 75 different publications. The publications span from 1893 to the most recent which is dated 1968.

You can also search the library for publications related to all forty-eight (48) Construction Specifications Institute Master Format Divisions. Division 9, finishes has over 1,400 publications from a variety of manufacturers, the earliest year is 1784 to the most recent publication being 2002.

My most recent search was for information about “pebble finished” stucco. Page 23 of the 1918 “Guide to Good Stucco” published by The Atlas Portland Cement Company provided an image of a near exact finish as that which exists on my current project.

It’s just my opinion, but I think this is one of the best resources for preservationist to utilize.

See you in Providence!

P.S. Please feel free to comment about your thoughts on the Heritage Library, or books you believe are essential for preservationist. This is both a blog/book report and a place for open discussion.