Michael Spencer
Associate Professor and Director | University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA, UNITED STATES
Michael Spencer is the chair of the Historic Preservation department at the University of Mary Washington.
Biography
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.
Areas of Expertise (3)
Historic Preservation
Preservationism
Building Forensics
Education (2)
University of Kentucky: M.H.P., Historic Preservation
University of Mary Washington: B.A.
Media Appearances (12)
Mary Washington House back porch slated for repairs
Culpeper Star-Exponent; The Free Lance-Star online
2024-04-12
Michael Spencer, Associate Professor in the University of Mary Washington Department of Historic Preservation, is completing measured drawings and a conditions report as the first step in the process.
Modern tools help explore historic barn
The Franklin News-Post online
2021-08-25
Michael Spencer with the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg has been overseeing the inspection work. He is an associate professor in the university’s department of historic preservation.
Town Talk/Historic Preservation (Fredericksburg Today)
Fredericksburg Today online
2021-01-19
Town Talk/Historic Preservation
Michael Spencer Gallery Talk
Daily Press online
2020-02-13
Spencer’s talk will be focusing on Charles M. Robinson’s designs for institutions of higher education in Virginia.
Gallery Talk with Michael Spencer
visitrichmondva.com online
2019-11-01
Gallery Talk with Michael Spencer (visitrichmondva.com) Spencer’s talk will be focusing on Charles M. Robinson’s designs for institutions of higher education in Virginia.
WHM Speaker Series
The Free Lance-Star online
2019-10-03
October’s speaker will be Michael Spencer, Associate Professor with the Historic Preservation Department at the University of Mary Washington, and Washington Heritage Museums’ Board Chair. Mr. Spencer’s lecture is entitled “Dendrochronology: Using Tree Rings to Date the Mary Washington House.”
Visitors get behind-the-scenes tour at Rising Sun Tavern
The Free Lance-Star print
2019-08-06
Tour participants had the same reaction when Michael Spencer, an associate professor at the University of Mary Washington and chairman of its Department of Historic Preservation, led them into the basement to show—and describe—the “summer beams” hand-hewn by craftsmen who built the 1760s structure.
Virtual reality can enhance tours at local museums
The Free Lance-Star print
2018-05-10
Michael Spencer, an associate professor in the Department of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington, and students in his computer applications class have developed a virtual reality tour of Mary’s attic.
Moves, modifications leave traces on Fredericksburg's Alms House
The Free-Lance Star print
2018-03-15
The column of a long-ago front porch has left faint traces of where it once adorned the front of a two-story, frame house across from the University of Mary Washington. On a recent afternoon, the director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Historic Preservation pointed out what’s left of its outline on the siding next to the building’s front door. The paint is different there, a clue that the column’s back covered it for years....
City Council approves Catholic Student Center parking expansion
The Free-Lance Star print
2018-02-15
City Council has reluctantly approved the Catholic Diocese of Arlington’s request for a special-use permit to expand parking for the Catholic Student Center across from the University of Mary Washington. Members weren’t happy that this means an 1877 house may have to be demolished....
Fredericksburg to demolish building to expand library parking lot
The Free-Lance Star print
2017-09-05
A former halfway house next to the Central Rappahannock Regional Library headquarters in downtown Fredericksburg will be torn down next week to make way for additional parking for the library. Southern Environmental Services Inc. is removing asbestos from the building at 1208 Sophia St. Abby Construction is expected to take about a week to demolish the building once that’s done....
Mary Washington House renovations shed new light on historic home
The Free-Lance Star print
2017-08-05
Michelle Hamilton was as excited as a child unwrapping presents as she sorted through the latest treasure trove of artifacts uncovered during renovations at the historic Mary Washington House in downtown Fredericksburg...
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