A former labourer who has carved out a career in stonemasonry is teaching young New Yorkers how to look after their city”s built heritage.
Kenny McCaffrey (39) jetted out at the weekend to spend 10 days passing on the tips of his trade to young people in Harlem.
He will educate youngsters deemed “at risk” during a workshop at the world’s largest gothic cathedral the Cathedral of St John the Divine which remains a work in progress, 118 years after its construction began.
Kenny will work with stone carver in residence Chris Pellitteri, passing on expertise to those on a youth workforce development programme.
The project is delivered by the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC), which aims to revitalise the community by focusing on the physical infrastructure.
Kenny’s trip has been arranged by his employer, Historic Scotland.
Culture minister Fiona Hyslop said, “There are a number of similarities in the architectural style and building materials used through much of the fabric of the traditional buildings in New York and in the tenements and civic buildings that characterise much of the Scottish landscape.
“By visiting the project and helping to train young people we hope to provide them with skills which will help them to not only care for their historic fabric, but also equip them with knowledge to help build sustainable and long-term careers.”
Kenny is a third-year apprentice with Historic Scotland, based at St Andrews Cathedral. He has also learned his trade at Stirling Castle, Iona Abbey and in Elgin. He decided to learn the craft after working for six years as a labourer.
In New York, he and fellow Historic Scotland stonemason Malcolm Hutcheon, from Aberdeenshire, will focus on skills which can be used in caring for buildings in the area.
ADC’s Tom Russack said, “We are thrilled to welcome Malcolm and Kenny to New York to meet our young people and share their expertise and experience.
“It is my understanding that this is the first international hands-on workshop ever attempted in the United States to provide high school-age students with training in masonry preservation. We hope that this is the first of many initiatives.”
Image used under Creative Commons licence from Picasa user refosco.