Understanding the materials in your home is the first step toward maintaining your home. When problems arise in historic buildings, some may find it tempting to undertake a quick – and sometimes inappropriate – treatment to maintain the livability of a house. Yet, in many instances treatments do not address the underlying causes of problems and may in fact cause additional building damage. As such, to maintain the longevity of the house and its character, it is important to understand the reasons why problems are occurring and ways to inspect for problems and address them appropriately.

I am often left asking this question. Where have all the tradesmen gone? In years past it wasn’t a problem finding able-bodied men and women interested in working a good paying job to do manual labor, but after the Great Recession of 2008 lots of skilled tradesmen left the job market and just never returned. Craftsmen can be blessed to work on some of the most unique and historically significant structures in the region. Unique architecture that is often times just as much art as engineering. Yet the struggle to find people who are willing to swing a hammer and work outdoors is stunningly difficult. The skilled tradesmen shortage in the U.S. cannot be traced to a solitary reason but there are many factors that created this situation. Here are 10 reasons contributing to the skilled tradesmen shortage in the U.S.: Aging workforce: Many skilled tradesmen are reaching retirement age, and there aren’t enough younger workers to replace them. Stigma surrounding trade careers: Society often places a higher value on college degrees, causing many young people to overlook trade careers. Lack of exposure and education: Many high schools have reduced or eliminated vocational training programs, limiting exposure to trade skills. Misconceptions about income

Oakley Chapel A.M.E Church – Tebbetts, Callaway County In 1878, during the aftermath of the Civil War, one acre of land in Tebbetts, Missouri was deeded to the “Trustees of the Colored Methodist Church” and became the site of Oakley Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E) Church. While a large number of freed slaves left Callaway County following the war, a significant number remained and built churches that played integral roles in these communities. One example is Oakley Chapel, which during the 1920’s and 30’s was used as a school for Black children who were denied public educational access offered solely by “white schools.” Oakley Chapel was the first of three A.M.E. churches in the county and remains the only one standing. By the mid-twentieth century, the county’s Black population began to decline. As a result, the county’s Black churches either closed or consolidated with Oakley Chapel. Oakley Chapel continued to operate until the 2010s and has been closed since that time – Callaway County’s last active A.M.E. church. Oakley Chapel is a classic example of a vernacular rural church and has been carefully maintained over the years to preserve its pivotal role, not only as a place of worship, but