Historic Preservation Careers

[historicinterest]

Hello archBoston,

I'm a civil engineering major (structural focus) at a local university - and I've discovered through some internship experience that preserving historic buildings interests me much more than creating new ones. I love going on tours of historic properties and wandering the city to see what architects past have created.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot of information available online, as I know it's a pretty specialized field. I think I might be most interested in building rehabilitation or research, though I'm not 100% sure because I have limited exposure to the professional side of the field. What I'm hoping to gather is some information from those of you with knowledge:

1. What are the degree expectations (do you need a Masters in Historic Preservation)?
2. How does a background (with related internship experience) in civil engineering compare to other applicant's with backgrounds closer to historic preservation (history, architecture, art history, etc.)? Is it a disadvantage?
3. What sorts of places are most people employed (e.g. organizations like Historic New England vs architectural firms, vs consulting firms, etc.)?
4. Do you have any other general information that a person interested in the field should know?

I appreciate your thoughts - if you have any follow-up questions I'd be happy to answer.

Thank you,

historicinterest

 

[Lurker]

1. What are the degree expectations (do you need a Masters in Historic Preservation)?

Varies by position. It can help dealing with the approach and process to working in the specific field.

2. How does a background (with related internship experience) in civil engineering compare to other applicant's with backgrounds closer to historic preservation (history, architecture, art history, etc.)? Is it a disadvantage?

If you have an understanding how things are put together and work now. It is easier to learn how things used to be put together and determine how to put them back in good order using old and new systems/materials to achieve the best result.

3. What sorts of places are most people employed (e.g. organizations like Historic New England vs architectural firms, vs consulting firms, etc.)?

Organizations typically maintain, restore, and obtain real estate. Sometimes they facilitate planning or rehabilitation. Architecture firms which specialize in historic preservation have staff which understand how to properly document and go about restoring or rehabilitating historic buildings. They'll have architects, engineers, and researchers which know how to find out every scrap of detail necessary to produce a set of construction drawings & specifications, and if necessary find craftsmen appropriately skilled to restore or replicate details .

4. Do you have any other general information that a person interested in the field should know?

http://www.traditionalbuildingshow.com/index.shtml (this used to be in Boston regularly)
http://www.preservationnation.org/
http://www.buildingartscollege.us/
http://www.nbss.edu/
http://ptn.org/
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/pad/planpubs.htm
http://aap.cornell.edu/crp/programs/grad/ma.cfm
http://www.goodyclancy.com/preservation (Jean Carroon)
http://www.mcginleykalsow.com/
http://www.bostonpreservation.org/

http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs.htm (the basic guidelines almost everyone follows)

 

[vanshnookenraggen]

PM me your email and I'll see if I can have my father talk with you. He's a historic preservationist with his own firm in NYC. He's been doing it since I was a kid and what gave me my appreciation for architecture.

 

[datadyne007]

davem actually is a historical preservationist. If he doesn't respond to this thread, I'd recommend sending him a message. He always gives us great insight on the issue and posts great things that he works on in SketchUp.

 

[kmp1284]

That explains the man-on-the-ledge hysterics.