Meet Nevan Carling
Nevan was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and began working with historic timber structures at the age of 16. He has worked with buildings across New England, studying architecture from the colonial period to the present. Having completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology and Heritage Management at the University of York, he went on the study for a Master’s in Timber Building Conservation at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in Chichester, England. His research has focused on the vernacular architecture of the Connecticut River Valley and beyond, with the aim to understand how these building forms developed over the last two and a half centuries.
Alongside his professional training, Nevan has contributed to and managed many preservation timber frame projects, including houses and barns across New England and further afield. He uses his unique understanding of building traditions and historic craftsmanship practices to preserve these buildings for all to enjoy. He also sits on the board of the Jonathan Fisher House in Blue Hill, Maine, and is currently restoring his own home in Western Maine.
Guiding Philosophies
These global conservation focused bodies provide the most up-to-date research-informed thinking on how we can take care of our historic buildings, while updating them to best serve our modern uses. Their guidance informs our work at Little King Timber Works, where we use appropriate materials and historically-informed methods on all our projects.
Historic England
Historic England is a public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment. They carry out and fund high-quality applied research to support the protection and management of the historic environment. Their conservation philosophies and empirical research help guide the conservation decisions made by Little King Timber Works, for the best treatment of historic structures.
Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
The purpose of The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings (2017) is to provide guidance to historic building owners and building managers, preservation consultants, architects, contractors, and project reviewers prior to beginning work.
Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
The IHBC is the professional body for building conservation practitioners and historic environment experts working in the United Kingdom. The Institute exists to establish, develop and maintain the highest standards of conservation practice, to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment, and to promote heritage-led regeneration and access to the historic environment for all.
The Nara Document on Authenticity
The Nara Document on Authenticity was adopted during the Nara Conference on Authenticity in Nara, Japan, in November 1994. The International Council organized the Conference on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in collaboration with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The conference aimed to address the growing concern about the threats and challenges faced by cultural heritage and to establish a common understanding of authenticity as a guiding principle for conservation and management practices.
Constructing the Connecticut River Valley: Uncovering our Vernacular Architecture 1640-1750
Watch here one of the lectures that Nevan Carling delivers across New England, on the development of a vernacular architecture tradition in the Connecticut River Valley. This built heritage is disappearing everyday, and Little King Timber Works can help you take care of yours.
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