Campus and Hancock Shaker Village partner to create new graduate degree in historic preservation and design

At recent event in Pittsfield, Hancock Shaker Village and campus officials announced they will collaborate to create a new two-year master’s degree in historic preservation and architectural conservation. It will combine University courses with training and classes on site at the historic community’s 18 national landmark buildings. Officials said the partnership is unique in the region for offering coursework and field studies at an historic site.

Starting in fall 2010, the new Master of Science in Design with a concentration in historic preservation will offer advanced study of traditional building materials, architecture, archives, libraries and other historic resources as part of the university’s Continuing and Professional Education program. Students and professionals already working in the field will be able to conduct field studies side-by-side with village staff and visiting experts on topics such as building restoration, town planning and historic site administration. A unique highlight will be the special focus on Shaker ideals, building methods and historic craft and trade knowledge as they apply to modern life.

Gov. Deval Patrick issued a statement about the partnership that was read at the Aug. 14 evening event. He said that “Massachusetts’ long and storied history has left us with myriad artifacts and treasures in need of preservation and restoration. Through this program, students will learn cutting-edge techniques and tools to conserve our most precious pieces of history for future generations. This is a wonderful program on the Commonwealth’s educational landscape, and it will surely continue the state’s unparalleled tradition of academic excellence.”

Ellen Spear, president and CEO of the non-profit historic village, said, “We think it is important for the village to be a leader in training the next generation of preservationists. With our colleagues at the University of Massachusetts, we will offer a program unique to the region and become a regional center for preservation studies. The educational opportunity for conservation professionals is so much more vivid through the use of the village’s historic buildings and landscapes, collections and archives.”

Joel Martin, dean and distinguished professor at the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, said, “This partnership will not only enrich our understanding of the American past, but the partnership itself is entirely cutting edge and innovative. It unites the strengths of a research university’s superb scholarly programs in architecture and public history with the unique riches of one of New England’s most important historic sites to forge an exceptional learning opportunity for people who value cultural heritage and historic preservation.”

Steven Bedford, an architectural historian for more than 20 years with special expertise in cultural resource investigations and management, will direct the new program and teach American Building and Preservation Theory courses. Overall, the new degree program is expected to enroll about 10 to 12 students in the first year and later expand to 25 or 30.

“I’m enthusiastic about working and teaching in such a rich cultural landscape,” said Bedford. “I think it’s the first instance of a building preservation program to be located within a National Historic Landmark. Excellent examples of late 18th through early 20th century architecture are right at hand.”

Bedford noted that in this era when designers, builders and architects increasingly seek sustainable and intelligent energy alternatives, Hancock Shaker Village and UMass Amherst will be rediscovering lessons from buildings handed down by “a culture whose principles and ethos were based completely on what we now call sustainability.” The new degree program should also help raise awareness of academic research and advanced restoration techniques in the traditional building community, he pointed out.

Bill Vogt, chair of the Hancock Shaker Village board, said the program marks an important step forward in the village’s long-range plan. The UMass Amherst partnership should also help the village expand its direct and active education programs to become a center for preservation studies. Nearly 70,000 visitors each year come to the village, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

August 20, 2009.

E-mail story to a friendPrinter-friendly version

/more talking points/