In an era where we celebrate innovation and progress, we risk losing something irreplaceable: the legacy embedded in our historic masonry. Every time an original brick facade is covered with synthetic siding, or a 19th-century wall is repointed with the wrong mortar, a piece of our architectural identity fades. As a preservation-minded mason and contractor, I believe 2025 is a pivotal year—not just for the future of our cities, but for the soul of our built environment.
Here’s what I believe needs to be done in historic masonry and preservation right now—before the stories written in stone are lost forever.
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1. We Must Expand and Modernize Masonry Training
Historic masonry repair isn’t just “old work.” It’s a specialized skillset that few are learning today. The challenge isn’t just finding people willing to work in the trades—it’s finding masons who know how to work with lime mortar, irregular stone, handmade brick, and early structural systems.
We need trade schools to offer dedicated preservation modules. Apprenticeship programs should include hands-on work in historic districts. Even AI and online learning tools can help scale this knowledge to the next generation. Otherwise, we’ll face a future where nobody knows how to maintain the past.
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2. Preservation Standards Must Be Enforced—and Updated
Many cities lack proper oversight when it comes to historic masonry. In too many cases, well-meaning property owners unknowingly damage their buildings with modern mortars or poor repairs simply because no one intervenes.
Municipalities need to enforce updated versions of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and establish clear guidelines for restoration. More importantly, those guidelines should be shaped by experienced tradespeople—not just architects or committees.
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3. Proper Mortar Matching Must Become Mandatory
This is non-negotiable. One of the biggest threats to historic brick and stone is the misuse of modern Portland-based mortar, which is too hard and too brittle for older materials. It traps moisture, accelerates deterioration, and causes irreversible damage.
In 2025, every historic masonry project should begin with mortar analysis and compatibility testing. Architects and contractors must be educated on the dangers of “stronger” not always meaning “better.” Restoration means using the right materials—not the newest ones.
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4. Funding Must Reflect the True Cost of Craftsmanship
Preservation is labor-intensive. Cutting out a stone, cleaning it, matching its color, sourcing traditional lime, repointing by hand—this isn’t fast or cheap work. And yet funding for preservation often prioritizes materials over skilled labor.
If we truly want to protect historic buildings, we need more public-private partnerships, preservation grants, and tax incentives that cover the cost of quality craftsmanship. Skilled trades are part of the infrastructure equation—and should be funded accordingly.
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5. We Need to Digitally Document What We Still Have
Historic buildings are disappearing faster than we can record them. That’s why we need to document, scan, and archive them now—before time, neglect, or demolition takes them away.
Technologies like LiDAR, photogrammetry, and drone mapping allow us to create precise digital models of historic facades and structures. Local databases should be created to preserve this information and make it accessible to future restorers, builders, and historians.
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6. We Must Build Public Appreciation for Historic Masonry
Too often, the public sees preservation as expensive, old-fashioned, or unnecessary. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Masonry buildings are fire-resistant, energy-efficient, durable, and full of character. They’re often better built than anything going up today.
It’s time we reframe the conversation: Historic masonry isn’t just about the past—it’s about sustainability, identity, and community. We need public education campaigns, building signage, walking tours, and civic pride programs that help people see these buildings not as relics—but as irreplaceable assets.
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7. Contractors and Craftsmen Must Have a Seat at the Table
Too often, preservation projects are planned by people who have never laid a brick. The result? Budgets that underestimate the labor involved. Designs that don’t account for site conditions. Specifications that miss the mark.
Preservation contractors—especially licensed masons—must be brought in early, not just as installers but as advisors. We know how buildings were made, how they’ve weathered, and what it takes to bring them back to life without compromising integrity.
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Final Thought
At Curatola Masonry, we approach every historic project with humility and respect—because we’re not just rebuilding structures. We’re preserving stories, honoring craftsmanship, and connecting the future to the past. But no mason can do it alone.
It takes a network of committed professionals, municipalities, tradespeople, and property owners to protect what we’ve been given. Let 2025 be the year we stop patching over history—and start preserving it with purpose.