Meet José Madrid, Assistant Conservator!
José joined EverGreene in December 2021. He works closely with the Conservation Team during all phases of conservation treatments, condition assessments, and documentation.
Prior to joining us, José worked with The Craftsmen Group, LLC in Washington, DC as a preservation specialist. He was responsible for handling, documenting, assessing, and implementing repairs on architectural historic wood artifacts. Additionally, he led the charge of ensuring that the proper preservation techniques were applied during the restoration of historic doors and windows. José was also a carpenter with Picardie Timber Frame, LLC. He performed standard wood restoration practices to repair historic doors and windows. He also assisted in fabricating and installing replicas for severely damaged architectural wood features in historic buildings.
José earned his BS, Political Science and minored in History at the Instituto Technológico Autónomo de México in Mexico City. He went on to receive his Master of Preservation Studies from Tulane University School of Architecture in New Orleans.
What inspired you to pursue a career in conservation?
Traveling extensively made me appreciate old buildings, their history, and the way they were preserved. This coincided with a stage in my life when I wanted to shift my professional path into more hands-on work, and preservation felt like the right fit. Growing up in México, I was also influenced by the rich history and the incredible efforts I witnessed to preserve historic sites. These experiences shaped my desire to restore and connect with the cultural heritage, blending my enthusiasm for history with craftsmanship.
What is your favorite EverGreene project you completed thus far?
I enjoy working on projects where I can apply a wide range of skills from previous experiences while learning from colleagues on-site. The restoration of the Philodemic Room at Georgetown University is a great example of this—long-term projects, where exploratory studies inform hands-on work and different EverGreene departments collaborate, are incredibly rewarding. I also appreciate projects where I can see the results of my work as I explore familiar places and build deeper connections with those spaces, like the plaster work at the Cannon House Office Building and the paint analysis at Philadelphia City Hall. I enjoy travel projects as well, as they pose unique challenges and allow me to learn from different historic built environments across the country and observe varying preservation efforts. Studio projects are equally satisfying because they offer the opportunity to refine skills in a controlled environment, with the right tools and materials readily available. I just completed conservation work on the Chicago Public Schools Keith Haring Murals.
What advice can you offer to the next generation of artists and craftspeople from your experience working at EverGreene?
It’s essential to consider global preservation practices and not overlook traditional techniques in favor of modern trends. Often, older methods can be just as effective, if not more so, than the latest technology. I’d also advise diversifying your preservation skill set—having a wide range of abilities makes you more adaptable and flexible for different types of projects. Learning from both preservation-related and non-preservation-related trades will strengthen your approach and broaden your understanding.
Thank you Jose for sharing your journey!
