Historic Preservation Certificate
140 Hours
This one-year, non-credit certificate program begins in the fall and serves students and professionals interested in establishing credentials in the area of Historic Preservation in a multitude of job sectors: building trades such as woodworking and stone masonry as well as areas such as historic site management, artifact conservation, and more. There is no other certificate program in Historic Preservation offered at a community college in New York State. A total of 140 hours (field work will be variable)—half classwork and half in directed historic preservation fieldwork. One elective is required during the program to fulfill the certificate. Lectures may be taken independently.
All interested students should contact the Program Coordinator, Alan Strauber, at Alan.Strauber@sunywcc.edu
Register for the entire certificate for $2,215.
To register for certificate program classes, you must call 914-606-7300 or email Carmen Marrinan at carmen.marrinan@sunywcc.edu
Career Pathways
Historic Preservation Certificate
Course Descriptions
Introduction to Historic Preservation
This course is an introduction to the history, principles and practice of historic preservation. It will provide a framework for understanding how the preservation movement in America evolved, the role of our region and state in that evolution, and current New York State and Federal preservation policies and laws. Through discussions about the guiding principles, terminologies and current issues of historic preservation, the class will explore the benefits and limitations of the agencies that play a role in preservation and discuss regional case studies in New York State and across the country. These will be 2-hour class sessions over 14 weeks for a total of 28 hours required towards completion of certificate requirements. This course will be taught entirely online via Brightspace platform.
CE-HIST 2127PE, Independent option: $443.
REMOTE Wed., Sept. 11-Dec. 18 (skip 11/27), 6:30-8:30 pm.
American Architectural History
With an emphasis Historic Preservation and New York State, this course will explore the development of architecture in America from its beginnings to roughly modern day. Areas of examination will include indigenous and vernacular American architecture, colonial and Federalist design, the appropriation of European design elements, the development of architecture as a profession, the American Parks Movement and landscape architecture, the innovation of the skyscraper, the rise of twentieth century urban environments, public works projects, modernism and more. These will be 2-hour class sessions over 14 weeks for a total of 28 hours required towards completion of certificate requirements. This course will be taught entirely online via Brightspace platform. Instructor-Alan Strauber.
CE-HIST 2128PE, Independent option: $443.
REMOTE Thurs., Sept. 12-Dec. 19 (skip 11/28), 6:30-8:30 pm.
Historic Preservation Field Work I
This course is designed to provide a wide range of hands-on experience related to historic preservation in a variety of settings. Participants will work at actual historic sites in the field as well as with artisans in trades related to historic preservation. Students will rotate between sites. Sessions will total 28 hours required for completion of certificate requirements.
CE-HIST 2129PE
OFF-SITE Day/Time/Locations, TBD.
Historic Preservation Field Work II
Continuation of Historic Preservation Field Work I. Sessions will total 28 hours required for completion of certificate requirements. Prerequisite: Historic Preservation Field Work I.
CE-HIST 2130PE
OFF-SITE Day/Time/Locations, TBD.
Electives
NEW! Themes in Historic Preservation
Themes in US History—A practical and theoretical examination of multiple case studies and themes related to the preservation of historic sites. The primary focus will be New York State but other locations may be examined as well. This course will be taught entirely online via Brightspace. Instructors – Johanna Porr & Alan Strauber.
CE-HIST 2173PE, Independent option: $443.
REMOTE Tues., Sept. 10-Dec. 10, 6:30-8:30 pm.
Historic Preservation Woodworking and Building Techniques
Through a combination of site visits to buildings of various periods, shop demonstrations, lecture and hands on work with tools, this course will explore the changes in technology, and the corresponding development of building design. Starting with timber framing, participants will explore basic assembly techniques, and how assembly methods developed over time. Methods for conservation of historic windows will be explored. Participants will use tools from as far back as the eighteenth century. We will explore the marks these tools leave and how they can be used to help us read the history of a building. These class sessions will be over 10 weeks for a total of 28 hours. Instructor-Bruce MacDonald.
CE-HIST 2158PE, Independent option: $443.
IN-PERSON at SUNY Westchester Peekskill, 27 North Division Street, Peekskill, NY 10566
Sat., Sept. 14-Nov. 23, (skip 11/2), 9:00 am-12:00 noon (Sept. 14 & Nov. 23, 9:00-11:00 am).
Historical Archaeology
The course is an introduction to historical archaeology which encompasses artifact identification, laboratory processing and field techniques. Students will conduct onsite field work including digging for artifacts as well as artifact identification at the Voris-Gedney Archaeological Site adjacent to the Bird Homestead and Rye Meeting House at 624 Milton Road, Rye, NY 10580, and lab work in the classroom. Documentation of historic sites will also be explored.
CE-HIST 2168PE, Independent option: $443.
IN-PERSON at SUNY Westchester Peekskill, 27 North Division Street, Peekskill, NY 10566
Thurs., Jan. 30-May 1, 2025 (skip 2/6/25, 2/20/25, 3/6/25, & 3/20/25), 6:30-8:30 pm.
OFF-SITE Field Work, 624 Milton Road, Rye, NY 10580
Sat., Mar. 29-April 26, 2025 (skip 4/19/25, rain date 5/3/25), 8:00 am-12:00 noon.
Independent Study In Historic Preservation
Independent study in historic preservation in partnership with a historic field site or organization to be arranged by instructor. Contact Alan.Strauber@sunywcc.edu
CE-HIST 2504PE, $472.
OFF-SITE Day/Time, TBD.
