Description
The overall aim of the project is to improve conditions for research of wooden built heritage and the to provide advice to owners and managers on the management of cultural heritage in all regions of Lithuania through the development of a wooden built heritage research, conservation and training centre. During the project a wooden heritage research and conservation and restoration centre will be set up. It is planned to accommodate the centre’s facilities, to purchase the necessary equipment, devices and tools, and to train staff members of the centre and social partners. The centre implements specialised research of wooden heritage and provides adequate training and counselling services to the owners and managers of wooden heritage objects throughout Lithuania. The second aim of the project is to raise awareness of the general public about wooden built heritage, its value and preservation. The donor project partner - Buskerud County Administration (Norway) - is involved in training activities.
Summary of project results
Thirty years ago, the Open Air Museum of Lithuania carried out comprehensive research of Aristavėlė wooden manor, dismantled and moved it from Kėdainiai district to the museum. The aim was to represent the architecture of wooden manor houses as only a few original wooden manor houses dating back to the beginning of the 18th century have survived till nowadays in Lithuania. The manor house was stored in the museum until the EEA Grants support of 2004-2009 was received for the reconstruction and restoration of the building. Revitalization works of the manor were completed in this funding period – interior of the building was refurbished, engineering networks were installed. In order to improve the conditions for consultations and research of wooden heritage in the regions of Lithuania, as well as to enhance the effectiveness of the maintenance of the museum buildings, the Wooden built heritage conservation, research and training center was established in the building with necessary equipment. It is the only centre of this kind in Lithuania, which carries out complex applied research of wooden architecture. Currently, two specialists of cultural heritage work in the centre who provide consultations on maintenance and management of wooden buildings, conduct research of wooden architecture heritage (historical art research, architectural, technological and constructional research), document valuable properties of buildings, assess the condition of objects, analyse compatibility of modern and traditional materials and technologies, carry out thermal measurements of surfaces and perform other functions. A practical training on analysis of wooden buildings condition and a celebration of wooden heritage day were organised for the public in Lithuania.
Summary of bilateral results
During the project, specialists of the museum attended 10 days’ training in Norway, where they were introduced to the activities of two similar centres, methodologies, practices of organisation of consulting and training for craftsmen.