Frances H. Ford

Frances H. Ford serves as Lecturer and laboratory manager in the Master of Science in Historic Preservation program within Clemson University's College of Architecture, Art and Construction. Her academic responsibilities include teaching HP 810 Conservation Lab, HP 811 Advanced Architectural Conservation, and HP 819 Investigation, Documentation and Conservation.

Her educational background comprises a B.A. in Historic Preservation from the College of Charleston (2003) and an M.S. in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania (2006).

Her research focuses on specialized conservation techniques with particular emphasis on:

• Paint and ornamental plaster conservation in historic interiors
• Cemetery restoration and stone conservation of early American graves
• Historical analysis of 19th-century marble mason John Struthers and his work on the George Washington tomb at Mount Vernon
• Mortar conservation techniques presented at international conferences including the 2nd Historic Mortars Conference in Prague

Professionally, she heads conservation initiatives for Richard Marks Restoration while maintaining active scholarly engagement through conference presentations across the eastern United States and Europe. Her field expertise has led to significant restoration projects involving Charleston's oldest gravesites and historic architectural elements.