Michael Spencer

Michael Spencer serves as the Director of the Center for Historic Preservation. He is responsible for contract negotiation, budgeting, research design, and oversight of staff and facilities. Prof. Spencer is a preservationist with expertise in architectural conservation and building forensics. His research has focused on the use of nondestructive technologies to investigate and assess historic structures. Such technologies have included infrared thermography (IRT), resistance drilling, and micro-timing. Integration of scientific analysis and the increased understanding of historic trades has also been a focus of Prof. Spencer since coming to the University of Mary Washington in 2009. Currently, Prof. Spencer is involved with writing the UMW campus Preservation Plan and assisting the National Trust for Historic Preservation in developing plans for Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country.