Course Outline

9/2 – Introduction to Historic Preservation

9/9 – Theory of Historic Preservation

BLOG POST #1 Reflect on the assigned readings, incorporating concepts from last week’s class discussion (400 words).

• Tyler, Chapter 1: Introduction, 11-25.
• Green, “The Social Construction of Historical Significance” (to be provided)
• Mason, “Fixing Historic Preservation: A Constructive Critique of Significance”

9/16 – Preservation Movement in the United States

BLOG POST #2 Choose a quote from the South Carolina SHPO Quotes about preservation. Write a short reflection about your quote and what meaning you believe it has today (200 words). Link above.

• Tyler, Chapter 2: The Preservation Movement in the United States, 27-62.
• Tyler, Chapter 4: The Legal Basis for Preservation, 121-134.
• Police Power & Land Use Controls handout (to be provided)

9/23 – NO CLASS

9/30 – Preservation Battles in NYC

BLOG POST #3 Research a recent preservation controversy in New York City. Write a reflection identifying the major issues, actors and arguments on each side (300 words).

• Pearson, Chapter 1: “Landmark Beginnings…” 5-23. 
• Museum of the City of New York Blog, “Penn Station and the Rise of Historic Preservation.” 
• Wood, “Beware False Prophets!” NYPAP Newsletter Spring 2013, 3. 

10/7 – Survey of American Architecture

MIDTERM PROJECT Visit an LPC historic district near you and identify the predominant architectural style(s). Photograph 10-12 buildings and create a slideshow to be presented in class. Explain why you think the buildings in this district were selected for preservation. This assignment is due in two weeks (10/28).

• Tyler, Chapter 3: Architectural Styles, Contextualism, and Design Guidelines, 63-120.
• Bernstein, “The Ongoing Battle to Preserve Midcentury Modernism.”
• Landmarks Preservation Commission, Rowhouse Styles.

10/14 – Documentation of Historic Properties

• Dolkart, “Hints on Researching New York City Buildings.”
• Landmarks Preservation Commission, “Landmark Types & Criteria.”
• National Register Registration Form 10-900.
• National Register Bulletin #16: “How to Complete the National Register Registration Form.” 

 10/21 – Designation & Control of Historic Properties

• Tyler, Chapter 5: Designation of Historic Properties, 135-154.
• Tyler, Chapter 6: Historic Districts and Ordinances, 155-188.
• National Register Bulletin #15: “How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation.” 

10/28 – Conservation and Building Technology

FINAL PROJECT Select your final project building/site from the list provided on OpenLab.

• Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Buildings. 
• NPS Brief #35: Understanding Old Buildings: “The Process of Architectural Investigation.”
• NPS, “A Glossary of Historic Masonry Deterioration.”

11/4 – Interventions, Alterations, & Adaptive Reuse

FINAL PROJECT Submit your final project plan, including building description, sources and schedule.

• Tyler, Chapter 7: Intervention Approaches, Documentation and Technology, 189– 236.
• PreservationNation Blog: “How to Support Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings.”  [Explore links to case studies]
• NPS Brief #14: “New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings, Preservation Concerns.”
• NPS, “Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.”

WEEK 10 11/11 –Urban Planning & Main Street Revitalization

BLOG POST #4 Compose a response to either the Roberta Gratz or the Brian Connolly article that articulates your position on right-sizing and preservation (300 words).

• Tyler, Chapter 9: Preservation Planning, 269-298.
• Gratz, “Shrinking Cities: Urban Renewal Revisited?” 
• Connolly, “Right-sizing Done Right: How Planned Shrinkage Can Save Detroit.” 
• Capitol Region Council of Governments Main Street Fact Sheet (Hartford, CT).

WEEK 11 11/18 – Cultural Heritage, Interpretation & Public History

BLOG POST #5 Research an example of cultural heritage preservation. Compose a reflection summarizing your findings (250 words).

• Loewen, Lies Across America Chapter 1: “In What Ways Were We Warped?”
• Pannekoek, “The Rise of the Heritage Priesthood or the Decline of Community Based Heritage.” 
• Harris, “State of African-American Historic Places,” 7-13.
• Harrington, “Bones & Bureaucrats.” (African Burial Ground) 

11/25 – Sustainability and Disaster Planning

FINAL PROJECT: Submit a draft of your final paper (3-5 pages).

• Tyler, Chapter 10: Sustainability and Partnering with the Environmental Community, 299-320.
• Union of Concerned Scientists, National Landmarks at Risk.

12/2 – International Preservation

BLOG POST #6 Write a reflection contrasting issues in U.S. and international preservation (300 words).

• Berenfield, “Climate Change and Cultural Heritage: Local Evidence, Global Responses.”
• World Monuments Fund, 2014 World Monuments Watch. [Use the map to explore the list of sites] 
• U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield, Letter to the President.

12/9 – 12/16 Final Project Presentations

ALL FINAL PAPERS DUE 12/16