HISTORIC PRESERVATION WORKSHOP THURSDAY

The major danger to historic architecture and antiques in the Mississippi River delta region is one that has been plentiful lately, says Bonnie Stepenoff, head of Historic Preservation Program at Southeast.

"The one main threat to historical collections has to be water," she says.

The Mississippi River delta region offers special challenges for preservationists. "With the hot, humid summers it's a harsh climate for antiques and buildings," Stepenoff says.

"Humidity," she says, "is very dangerous."

At a daylong workshop Thursday at the university, four experts will provide information on protecting historic buildings and artifacts from the ravages of water -- particularly humidity -- and other environmental threats.

The workshop, to be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Center Missouriana Room, is being presented by the National Park Service, which on its founding in 1916 was charged with safeguarding the nation's historic sites and monuments. Other sessions are being held in Vicksburg, Miss., Pine Bluff, Ark., Marion, Ill., Paducah, Ky., Memphis, Tenn., and Natchitoches, La.

Conducting the morning session will be Jack Luer, a restoration architect from St. Louis. He will discuss the area's common preservation problems and will answer questions.

The afternoon session will be led by Kathleen McClain Jenkins, manager of museum collections for the National Park Service at Melrose in Natchez, Miss. She will talk about environmental threats to antiques and provide information about materials to be used in historic housekeeping.

Insects and fungus also can threaten historical collections, Stepenoff says, but water remains the main culprit.

"It doesn't have to be a huge flood to cause water damage."

The workshop should be helpful to groups trying to maintain museum houses, to museum professionals and volunteers and to owners of antiques," Stepenoff says. "It's aimed at people who don't have a lot of money or resources."

At least two members of the Cape River Heritage Museum have indicated they will attend the workshop, along with people involved in historic preservation in Perryville and Carterville, Ill.

Some 20 people have signed up so far. The workshop is limited to 50.

The workshop costs $15, which includes lunch.

To register, call Dr. Bonnie Stepenoff in the Department of History at (573) 651-2831. Information about the other training sites is available by calling Kathleen McClain Jenkins at (601) 446-5790.