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Arkansas Institute for Building Preservation Trades
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Graduate Profile
Ronnie Walker of Pocahontas, AR is a recent graduate of the Arkansas Institute. He is pursuing his dream of preserving Arkansas's history as the Facilities Manager/Building Conservator of Lakeport Plantation, the state's last surviving antebellum Mississippi River plantation house.
Walker was a U.S. Marine and then a carpenter for 20 years who wanted to combine craftsmanship with his love for historic buildings. In 2003 he completed his Associate of Applied Science degree in Historic Preservation Trades, with honors, and graduated from the Institute.
Today he is responsible for one of the state's premier historic structures. Lakeport was built in 1858 in Chicot County near Lake Village in southeastern Arkansas. Its striking architecture is further distinguished by the fact that the house is still intact and has never been modernized.
Arkansas State University in Jonesboro spearheaded the effort to acquire and save the house. ASU put together a team of professionals, including Walker, to determine appropriate repair options and conservation techniques for the structure. As the manager/conservator, Walker is responsible for a wide range of jobs including quality control, coordination, reporting and documentation. ASU plans to have doctoral students participate in the project and Walker will provide the hands-on instruction component of their studies.
Simon Herbert, former AIBPT director said, "This is exactly what we are here to do, train individuals in the disciplines of applied building preservation. Ronnie worked very hard and deserves this job. I am very proud of his accomplishments."
Walker has this to say about his mission, "When an historic building is gone, left to rot away by time and the weather, the history and often remarkable craftsmanship that went into it are lost to future generations. It's important that we save our history so we can remember, and it's important to have the skills so the preservation is done right and will live on."
