John Canning & Co.'s Team Spotlight
David Gough
John Canning & Co. is proud to spotlight our Historic Preservation Manager, David Gough. David has over twenty-five years of project management and craftsman experience with a proven track record in estimating, project management, and executing high quality architectural finishes in restoration and conservation projects for public, private, and commercial clients. His understanding of materials and finishes has allowed him to successfully manage historic preservation projects across the U.S., providing day-to-day communication with the project team to ensure each job remains on schedule and within budget, as well as, execute and provide quality assurance for restoration and conservation methods and techniques.
How did you get started in the field?
As a young man, I remember always having a passion for working with my hands, whether it was fixing a broken appliance for my parents or painting my grandmother’s kitchen. After high school I worked with a close friend who was a third-generation painter. From working together, I discovered I enjoyed that type of work - seeing the transformation of an old building, house, or room. After spending a year at college, I decided to work for myself as a painting contractor, starting my business in 1987 as a 20-year-old.
After twenty-five years of self-employed contracting work and an established network, I was fortunate to meet David Riccio and John Canning on a project site we both had been specially contracted for. In learning more about John Canning & Co.’s portfolio of work, I decided their business scope aligned with a personally deep interest in history; identifying the type of work I wanted to pursue. Now in my 7th year with the company, I have developed an even deeper love for the historic churches and buildings the firm restores, conserves, and preserves.
David Demonstrates the Application of Golf Leaf Lettering.
What does a typical day look like??
As Historic Preservation Manager, I direct and advise crew members in performing tasks related to all architectural finish restoration, which includes stone cleaning, general painting, decorative painting, canvas installations, and architectural woodwork repair and refinishing.
Do you have any favorite projects you’ve worked on?
One that comes to mind is the Mark Twain House & Museum, observing the layout and installation of the wall covering in the Mahogany Suite with the company founder John Canning. This was a tremendous opportunity for myself and our crew to see a master demonstrate old world craftsmanship. John Canning & Co. restored the architectural woodwork, plaster, and reinstated wallcoverings. This Canning project was awarded the following accolades in 2020 for this restoration project: Preservation Connecticut Award of Merit, AIA Connecticut Elizabeth Mills Brown Award of Excellence, Bulfinch Award for Craftsmanship/Artisanship Category, and Palladio Award for Craftsmanship.
(Left) The Complete Restoration of The Mark Twain House – Mahogany Suite. Closeup: “HoneyBee” Wallcovering Design by Interior Designer / Textile Artist Candace Wheeler. (Right) Pencil Sketch of Scissors Including John Canning & David Gough’s Names. - John Canning Demonstrates the Preparation of the Mahoghany Suite Wallcovering.
Another project that comes to mind is the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, PA. This was by far the largest and most complex project I have ever managed at the time. The project consisted of conserving fine art, plaster restoration, decorative paint, general painting, marble restoration, wood restoration, architectural gilding, and bronze conservation to name a few aspects of the overall scope. Over 125 murals were carefully assessed, documented, and conserved throughout the rotunda proper and third floor corridors. John Canning & Co. finished the project on time, on schedule; as a Historic Preservation Manager this is a project goal I strive for in every restoration. The company received multiple awards for this restoration: 2018 Trumbauer Award by ICAA - Philadelphia Chapter, 2019 Traditional Building Palladio Award for Craftsmanship, and 2022 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award – Leadership Award for Local Government.
(Left) David Demonstrates for Client How the Stencil Border will be Installed During a Restoration Project at Luzerne County Courthouse. (Right) David Accepts the 2022 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Leadership Award Local Government for the Work at Luzerne County Courthouse on Behalf of John Canning & Co.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Delivering a project from conception to completion. I enjoy meeting with the project team, as well as, managing the Canning’s scope and crew.
(Left) David Exhibits the Process for On-site Canvas Installation. The Canvas Features a Trompe L’oeil Design. (Right) David Displays the Steps of Preparing a Dome Surface for Restoration by Indicating the Removal of Old Gilding and Coatings Down to the Bare Substrate.
What advice do you have for someone interested in starting their career in the historic preservation?
One should have a desire to work with your hands, as well as your mind to perform in-depth archival research for various projects. Earn a degree in preservation or go to work for a premier preservation/conservation contractor. For example, to reinstate the original color palette and design you will have to perform a scientific historic paint investigation. This process involves looking at small pieces of existing paint suspended in a clear resin under a microscope to match the existing paint to a modern color from the Munsell color system. Understanding how to conduct archival research and independent interpretation of historic significance, such as old original photos, might help a preservationist understand original intention of the architects to come up with the best palette to match the historic colors.