By Mary Klett, ASA Communications Team
How many people have looked at the capitol dome in D.C., looking up 180 feet to “The Apotheosis of Washington”, and thought, “Wow, I wonder if that dome ever leaks when it rains?” Thanks to Adrienne Smoot-Edwards, and her team at Regeneracy, they probably never will. Nor will they wonder about all the other behind the scene restoration work her team has performed at historical churches, libraries, theaters, and other major landmarks in the Washington, D.C. area.
Working in the back end of construction is a typical path – or at least starting point – for many women – HR, accounting, finance…. And when Adrienne joined a few others in a partnership for restoration work, she was ready to do just that – accounting, marketing, management…maybe even a little front end work as well, as she loved craft work, painting, and hands-on love of historic architecture. And DC – not to mention Virginia and Maryland – has plenty of it.
Shortly after, she started running the show, and 21 years later she’s going strong – along with her team of 32 dedicated artisans – restoring, caring, and refurbishing the windows, doors and unique architectural features on which Washington’s renowned humidity, pigeons, squirrels, and time, have taken their toll.
She’s a relatively new member of ASA of Metro Washington. Ike and Cindy “wouldn’t leave me alone.” Adrienne thought it was a club – and she didn’t need a club. But she did like the aspect of advocacy, and when she found out how hard ASA works on behalf of subcontractors in her hometown, she decided to join.
Most of Regeneracy’s marketing is word-of-mouth. When you do a good job, people talk (when you do a bad job, too).
She’s proud of the diversity of her crew. The youngest is in their 20s; the oldest in their 80s.
But while there’s no doubt she’s busy, Adrienne recognizes the need in her community where she can have an impact:
- An apprenticeship program for students who want to learn the trade, but don’t have the funds. The problem is, most grants are short term (think six months), while students’ needs for tools, equipment, training, learning, might take a couple years. She’s trying to find a way to make sure the students have a chance to experience the full range of historic restoration skills with an appreciation for why restoration is a viable trade.
- Restoration for properties that can’t afford it. How many incredible edifices have been lost because their owners and caregivers just didn’t have the funds or skills to maintain them. You can only paint so much, or spackle so many holes and cracks, before the place comes tumbling down. Adrienne is recording a podcast called “Preservation Partners” (not quite ready for prime time) that will provide a training ground for her students, while repairing some of the properties in disrepair . We’ll keep you posted on that when the first five episodes are ready.
So the next time you admire some historic structure – whether in DC or in your own town, use your imagination and think about the structure behind the scene. Who knows – maybe you already do, being who you are. How many times has it been repaired? Does it probably need repair? Who did it? And if you see Adrienne, say “Thanks for saving history.”
