Historical Preservationist

Preservationists work to maintain and conserve historic landmarks, artifacts, and sites, helping preserve cultural heritage and increase awareness of the past. Their duties include stabilizing and repairing historic buildings, restoring artifacts, and developing educational resources for the general public. They serve as advocates for historic preservation and provide technical expertise to ensure the restoration of historic sites.

Education and Training

Most historical preservationists hold a bachelor's degree in a field related to historic preservation, such as history, architecture, archaeology, or art history. Preservationists with a bachelor's degree in other fields can prepare themselves with additional coursework, graduate study, and experience.

Many preservationists hold a master's degree in historic preservation, which can provide more advanced training and a wider range of career opportunities. Graduate students can learn about the conservation techniques, planning, and management of historic preservation. Entry-level jobs may be available to those with an associate degree.

Skills and Qualities

Preservationists must be able to work with a variety of people, from architects to contractors to the public. They must have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preservationists also need to have a strong understanding of the history of architecture, as well as the conservation techniques used to preserve historic buildings and artifacts. They must be able to identify and assess the condition of historic resources, and develop and implement plans to preserve them.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for preservationists is expected to be good in the coming years, as there is a growing demand for professionals who can help to preserve and restore historic buildings and sites.

Career Advancement

Preservationists can advance their careers by taking on more responsibilities, such as managing projects or supervising staff. They can also pursue additional education, such as a master's degree or doctorate, to improve their knowledge and skills.

Transferable Skills

The skills that preservationists develop can be transferred to a variety of other careers, such as architecture, construction management, and real estate development.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Preservationists typically work in offices, but they may also spend time in the field, inspecting historic buildings and artifacts. They may work regular hours, or they may work overtime to meet deadlines.

Some of the day-to-day responsibilities of preservationists include:

• Assessing the condition of historic buildings and artifacts
• Developing and implementing plans to preserve historic resources
• Supervising the restoration of historic buildings and artifacts
• Educating the public about the importance of historic preservation
• Advocating for the preservation of historic resources

Challenges

Preservationists face a number of challenges in their work, including:

• Funding: Historic preservation projects can be expensive, and preservationists often have to compete for funding from a variety of sources.
• Public opinion: Some people do not believe that historic preservation is important, and preservationists may have to work to educate the public about the value of historic resources.
• Climate change: Climate change is posing new challenges for preservationists, as they must now consider how to protect historic resources from the effects of climate change.

Projects

Preservationists may work on a variety of projects, including:

• Restoring historic buildings
• Preserving artifacts
• Developing educational resources about historic preservation
• Advocating for the preservation of historic resources

Personal Growth Opportunities

Preservationists have the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics, including history, architecture, and conservation techniques. They can also develop strong leadership and management skills.

Personality Traits and Personal Interests

Preservationists typically have the following personality traits and personal interests:

• Strong interest in history
• Appreciation for architecture
• Commitment to preserving cultural heritage
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Self-Guided Projects

Students who are interested in a career in historic preservation can prepare themselves by completing a number of self-guided projects. These projects can help students to develop the skills and knowledge that they need to be successful in this field.

Some self-guided projects that students can complete include:

• Researching the history of a local historic building
• Creating a plan to restore a historic building
• Developing an educational resource about historic preservation
• Advocating for the preservation of a historic resource

Online Courses

Online courses can be a valuable tool for students who are interested in a career in historic preservation. Online courses can provide students with the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics related to historic preservation, from the history of architecture to the conservation techniques used to preserve historic buildings and artifacts.

Online courses can also help students to develop the skills that they need to be successful in this field, such as communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

While online courses can provide students with a valuable foundation in historic preservation, they are typically not enough to prepare students for a career in this field. Students who are interested in a career in historic preservation should also seek out hands-on experience, such as internships or volunteer opportunities.