Les Fossel, is the owner of Restoration Resources in Alna, a well known residential historic preservation contracting, estimating, cabinet making, house inspections and consulting firm. But in addition to this work, Les is known throughout the state as one of the most knowledgeable practitioners of historic preservation in Maine. He has amassed a significant personal library of materials on historic architecture and building arts, which is housed at his office for ready reference.

Fortunately, Les has always been very willing to share his knowledge. For years he has been volunteering his time to speak to historical societies, rotary and other civic clubs, students and professional groups on his vast knowledge on a variety of topics related to historic preservation. He not only gives short lectures. He conducts full-day workshops, multi-day courses and academic classes. Just last month, Les conducted a well attended, Maine Preservation-sponsored, day-long Saturday workshop in Farmington on repairing historic windows, which was enthusiastically received by a roomful of active participants. He has trained housing appraisers, home inspectors, estimators, and a myriad of carpenters and other building professionals.

Les also sponsors one or more summer interns in conjunction with Maine Preservation in which he pays all the costs and helps provide room and board. This program allows an historic preservation student the opportunity to spend a month working on job sites and a month working for Maine Preservation out of our office, offering these soon-to-be professional preservationists a unique and valuable learning experience.

Included in his broad-ranging teaching experiences is perhaps his most formal, conducted at the University of Southern Maine's Center for Real Estate Education. Les created and developed the course, Understanding Older Housing in Maine, in 2002 and has since taught the class with Linda Griffin. It is the longest running course at the Center for Real Estate Education, Older Housing provides real estate and appraisal professionals with a comprehensive overview of the architectural styles and construction methods of historic Maine homes.

Perhaps the best testimony to Les’ educational effectiveness is to hear from his students in their own words. Such positive feedback is received year after year. The following are just a few examples of Les' significant impact on real estate professionals in Maine:

"This was the most informative and interesting class I've ever taken"
"Great course, I have been trying to get into this class for three years, so glad I finally had the opportunity to take it!"
"Of all the classes I've taken this is by far the most comprehensive and engaging. The presentation was very informative, easy to understand and interactive. I've loved older homes since I was a kid...and this class revitalized my interest in preservation."
"Les and Linda were knowledgeable, charming, informative, truthful. They were a joy!"
"Great class, I can't wait to get home to read the material passed out before the class."

Yes that’s right, so enthusiastic are his students that they actually look forward to reading the class material!
For his untiring, broad-ranging, knowledgeable and effective educational activities, Maine Preservation is pleased to present a 2008 Preservation Honor Award to Les Fossel.