Interview with Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller was born and raised in Providence, a place where the city’s history and homes are very important to him. He has been a mason for close to 30 years. He currently works for East Coast Masonry & Restoration, Inc. and belongs to Local 3 Bricklayers & Allied Craftsman. He learned the trade working alongside East Coast owner Michael St. Angelo as well as many other talented craftsmen throughout the years. He has led and worked on countless projects in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Currently, Matt is foreman for East Coast Masonry & Restoration, Inc.’s masonry restoration work on Preserve RI's Lippitt House.

1. How did you get involved in masonry and what do you love most about the craft?

I’ve known Michael St. Angelo, owner of East Coast Masonry & Restoration, since I was 11 years old and he reached out to me almost 27 years ago to join the team and the rest is a story still being written. I’ve always been into art in one form or another since a young age so once I got into the trade and started working on some of the historic projects, I knew that was my favorite. To be able to make a 200-year-old building look new and 200-years-old at the same time is a lot of fun.

2. What has it been like working on the 161-year-old, brick and brownstone Lippitt House? How is it different from other projects you've worked on?

I’ve had the honor to work on many historic homes in Rhode Island, especially Providence. I actually worked on one of the chimneys on Lippitt House many years ago so it's nice to be back. Lippitt House is one of those iconic homes that stands on the corner that you just can't help but admire.

3. There has long been a shortage of people working in the historic trades. What do you think is needed to get other people working in these fields?

There is a shortage of young people joining the trades across the board. It's getting better but it's not enough. I support blue collar through and through. There is nothing wrong with a college education, but it's been pushed for so many years that the trades are suffering the results of that. We need more shop and vocational tech classes at the high school levels like there used to be and we need to not look down on the blue-collar man or woman as many in the past have done. I’ve unfortunately experienced that myself.

4. Is there anything you want people who do not work in the historic trades to know about this line of work?

It's not the same as new construction. It takes a different set of skills and many new construction workers can't make the adjustment. It also takes an artist’s touch in a way. So, if you know any artists that like working with their hands send them my way. 

5. What's your favorite project you've worked on? (Other than Lippitt House, of course!)

I’ve worked on so many great projects during my career. John Brown House in Providence and Colony House in Newport are up there, but I'd say the RI State House’s Independent Man and dome restoration project was a great one. To be able to work on the State Capital with the team I had was a great honor.