Timothy Dacey
Austin, Texas

completed a 2004 US/ICOMOS Internship with

ICOMOS Bulgaria, Sofia

Tim Dacey lived in Sofia, Bulgaria but worked on preparing measured drawings for several houses in the city of Plovdiv dating to the Bulgarian National Revival Period (19th century).  The properties, which are situated in the city's Old Quarter, are being prepared for restoration through a grant from ICOMOS Japan with the guidance of UNESCO; ICOMOS Bulgaria also is preparing a World Heritage nomination for the Old Quarter.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city (after Sofia), embodies the country's mixed history and cultural roots, containing remnants of Thracian and Macedonia foundations fortified by Roman and Byzantine walls and crowned with Bulgarian Renaissance homes.  The city abounds in merchant homes that reflect the transformation of the National Revival House from its rural origins to mansions.  The Baklova and Baiatova houses, which were the focus of Tim's internship activities, represent modest examples of the town's private homes.

During his internship, Tim was able to participate in a number of conferences that highlighted Bulgarian preservation, beginning with activities associated with the European Cultural Heritage Days.  Many of these programs were based on cultural routes that extend beyond local and sometimes national jurisdictions.  He later joined graduating preservation students during their fieldwork to establish these routes.

Tim's stay in Bulgaria was supported by the generosity of many Bulgarians, particularly Donika Georgiva and her family.  Donika had just completed her US/ICOMOS International Internship with Historic New Harmony in Indiana (USA).

This internship was supported by the Trust for Mutual Understanding of
New York with additional support by private donors.

Right:  Tim Dacey (second from right) with (from left) Donika Georgieva
(US/ICOMOS Intern to the USA), Hristina Staneva, and Abby Dacey.

The US/ICOMOS International Intern Exchange Program is funded by a variety sources.  Each of the host organizations in the U.S. contribute funds that cover a substantial portion of the costs for interns from overseas.  Grants from private foundations and individual donors support the internships for U.S. preservationists traveling overseas, with additional support from some of the overseas host organizations.  The 2004 overseas internships were supported by the Dorothy-Ann Foundation, Marpat Foundation, Keepers Fund for Historic Preservation, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, Trust for Mutual Understanding, and contributions from numerous individuals.