Drew University Offers Classes on Historic Preservation

is offering courses in the processes and techniques of historic preservation, with an assortment of programs in 2011-12 open to all preservation enthusiasts, whether aiming to earn a certificate or for personal or professional interest.  

Choose from a one-day workshop or ten-week course, the programs are designed for anyone interested in the field of preservation, from hobbyists, members of historic preservation commissions, town planners, attorneys and engineers to real estate professionals, volunteers at historic sites, owners of old or historic buildings, architects, developers and contractors, designers, and artisans in the construction field. 

The courses and workshops are led by a distinguished faculty who are experts in their fields and include  interactive activities, on- and off-campus learning and contain a blend of theoretical and practical concepts.
 
Classes begin Sept. 6, here are the offerings:
 
Innovative and Cost-effective Tools for Historic Interpretation:
This class focuses on providing museums and other historic site professionals, educators and volunteers with creative interpretation tools which can be easily implemented at any site and which help revitalize existing collections without additional expense. Learn new trends in interpretation, including object-driven interpretation, sensory interpretation, as well as the use of living history at historic sites.  Equal attention is given to both theory and practice, with a significant portion of the class work being hands-on. Date: Wednesdays, Sept. 7-Nov. 9, 7-9 p.m. Cost: $465.
 
Introduction to Historic Preservation: This course provides a foundation for understanding preservation issues, terminology, and public policy and explores the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, National and State Register Programs, preservation techniques, and the overall benefits of historic preservation. Date: Thursdays, Sept. 8 – Nov. 10, 7–9 p.m. Cost: $465, Materials Fee: $10.
 
Exterior Paint for Historic Houses from Period Colors to Proper Preparation: A well-done exterior paint job on a vintage house not only enhances the architecture and historic character of the structure, but proper prep and application is simply a good investment. This course will address the many sides of historic paint, from the pigments and oils of pre-industrial paint and how they influenced exterior colors, to the aesthetics of color in various eras, to best methods for choosing and applying paint and colors on a vintage building today. Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 18 & 25, 7-9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $230.

Fall One-Day Workshops
Main Street Matters: Lessons on Restoring, Reusing and Revitalizing Main Street (Flemington, N.J.) Small town life revolved around New Jersey's “Main Streets” throughout the 19th and the first half of the 20th Centuries.  Flemington exemplifies the struggles and triumphs that American “downtowns” grapple with. Focus will be on issues that affect small town “Main Streets” throughout our state. Speakers will include the town officials, residents and business owners. A walking tour will highlight Flemington’s rich examples of 18th-20th Century historic architecture including the notable Court House, the Choir School, Historical Society, and the Presbyterian Church with Tiffany windows. Date: Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $115.
 
Heritage Tourism Workshop in Collaboration with Craftsman Farms
: Is your site visitor-ready? Are you providing a quality experience that will ensure return visits and good word-of-mouth advertising?  Tourism is New Jersey’s third-largest industry, yet history and historic sites are still realizing a very small percentage of this return. This one-day workshop will acquaint participants with New Jersey’s newly-unveiled Heritage Tourism Master Plan and explore how historic sites and tourism providers can benefit by its implementation. Using Craftsman Farms as a laboratory, participants will gain invaluable assessment tools and techniques to critically evaluate how visitors may perceive a historic site on their initial contact. Date: Saturday, Nov. 5, Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $115.
 
Students can download a registration form online at any time. Space is limited, call Drew’s Caspersen School of Graduate Study at 973-408-3185 for a brochure containing a full course listing and registration information or visit www.drew.edu/historicpreservation.