What Is Historic Preservation?
Historic preservation is a field dedicated to preserving and ensuring the continued study of historical objects, artifacts, buildings, sites, and landscapes. It plays a crucial role in maintaining our connection to the past, helping protect cultural heritage and ensuring its continued existence for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
As a historic preservationist, you will work alongside professionals from various disciplines, such as archaeologists, architects, curators, historians, and landscape architects. These teams work collectively to analyze, maintain, and restore significant historical sites, places, and items that hold considerable cultural, social, educational, or architectural value.
In this field, you may work in different sectors, such as restoring historical structures, consulting with contractors or developers, or directly participating in the reconstruction process. Aiming to maintain the authenticity and significance of the historical site or artifact, your work will contribute to the broader goals of heritage preservation, education, and community building.
Historic preservation appeals to individuals with a passion for history, culture, and the built environment. It offers a rewarding career path for those seeking to make a tangible difference in preserving humanity’s shared heritage for future generations. By choosing a career in historic preservation, you will help connect people from all walks of life to history, fostering understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and narratives.
Different Jobs in Historic Preservation
Historic preservation offers various fulfilling job opportunities for passionate individuals. In this section, we will cover some key roles in the field, including Preservation Planner, Conservator, Restoration Architect, Historic Preservation Specialist, and Cultural Resource Manager.
Preservation Planner
As a Preservation Planner, your primary responsibility will be to help local governments and communities protect and preserve historic resources. You will work closely with stakeholders and develop policies to support the preservation of historic properties and districts. Your tasks may include conducting surveys, writing design guidelines, and reviewing proposed changes to historic sites. PreserveNet provides job listings for prospective Preservation Planners.
Conservator
As a Conservator, your focus will be on the physical conservation of artifacts, buildings, and other historic materials. Your role will involve assessing the condition of these resources, developing conservation plans, and implementing appropriate treatments to preserve their historical value. This role typically requires specialized training in conservation science and a strong understanding of the materials and techniques used in historic preservation.
Restoration Architect
As a Restoration Architect, you will be responsible for designing plans and managing restoration projects for historic buildings and sites. Your job will include conducting assessments, developing recommendations for repairs, and ensuring that restoration work meets preservation standards. To excel in this role, it’s essential to have strong architectural skills and a solid understanding of historic building materials, styles, and construction methods.
Historic Preservation Specialist
In the role of a Historic Preservation Specialist, you will be focusing on identifying, evaluating, and protecting historic properties. Your tasks may include conducting historical research, preparing nominations for historic registers, and managing grants and tax incentive programs. Job opportunities for Historic Preservation Specialists can be found on ACHP’s website.
Cultural Resource Manager
As a Cultural Resource Manager, your primary responsibility will be to oversee the management of cultural resources, such as archaeological sites, historic buildings, and traditional cultural properties. You will coordinate with various stakeholders, develop and implement management plans, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. A strong background in archaeology, anthropology, or a related field is generally required for this role.
Education and Training Requirements
Degree Programs
As an aspiring historic preservationist, you’ll often need at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in historic preservation or a related field, such as architectural history, history, or public history. To advance in your career, some positions may require a Ph.D. in history, alongside a concentration in public history or preservation.
Certifications
While degrees lay the foundation of your knowledge, pursuing relevant certifications can help bolster your skills and expertise in the field of historic preservation. Becoming a certified archivist, for instance, demonstrates your commitment to the profession and indicates that you have met certain educational and experience requirements.
Workshops
Hands-on training and workshops play a crucial role in refining your skills as a historic preservationist. The National Park Service offers multiple training programs, seminars, and workshops focusing on different aspects of historic preservation, such as masonry, carpentry, and more.
Additionally, consider participating in programs like the Traditional Trades Advancement Program, which provides on-the-job training in traditional trades while instilling a strong understanding of historic preservation principles.
Professional Organizations and Resources
As you explore jobs in historic preservation, make sure to connect with professional organizations and resources that can provide support, networking opportunities, and job listings. Here are some key organizations and resources in the field:
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers a wealth of job opportunities, including careers with other preservation organizations and historic sites through their Preservation Job Board. This is a great resource for finding job openings and staying informed about preservation-related news and events.
PreservationDirectory.com
PreservationDirectory.com is a comprehensive online guide to historic preservation, building restoration, and cultural resources management. It features an extensive job board focusing on historic preservation, restoration, and related fields, making it an invaluable resource for job seekers in the industry.
Association for Preservation Technology International
Association for Preservation Technology International (APT) is a cross-disciplinary organization dedicated to promoting technology for preserving historic structures and their settings. APT membership provides access to its network of professionals, events, publications, and job postings, hence expanding your career opportunities in the field.
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) features a Jobs and Internships section on their website, where you can find postings on preservation jobs, internships, and Requests for Proposals. They also offer resources like the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Job Board and PreserveNet, which regularly updates professional employment and internship opportunities in the preservation industry.
By tapping into these valuable resources and professional organizations, you can stay updated on the latest job openings, network with professionals, and dive into a fulfilling career in historic preservation.
Job Market and Salary Expectations
Job Outlook
In the field of historic preservation, a variety of job opportunities await you, ranging from grant writing to hands-on preservation work. Your passion for preserving history can be channeled into a fulfilling career. For example, the National Trust for Historic Preservation offers Hands On Preservation Experience (HOPE) crews, which provide young people with preservation craft training while rehabilitating historic sites.
Salary Overview
When it comes to salaries in historic preservation, it’s important to understand that compensation can vary depending on factors such as location, employer, and experience. However, many positions in this industry offer competitive salaries. A few examples include:
- Grant Writer: A national average salary of $53,239 per year
- Historian: A national average salary of $77,144 per year
- Historic Preservation Specialist: Average salary ranging from $84,967 to $134,150 per year in the United States
Keep in mind that these figures are just a few examples and that there are other jobs in the field with varying salary ranges. As you explore your options, always research current salary data for the specific roles and locations that interest you.
Tips for Starting a Career in Historic Preservation
In this section, we’ll provide you with a few tips on kickstarting your career in historic preservation. Remember to focus on networking, volunteering, and gaining relevant experience.
Networking
Start by connecting with professionals in the field. Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops related to historic preservation to meet individuals who share your passion. Additionally, consider joining professional organizations such as the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and local preservation groups. Networking can help you learn about job opportunities, gain advice, and establish relationships with potential mentors.
Volunteering
Offer your time and skills at local historic sites, museums, or cultural organizations. Volunteering provides hands-on experience while demonstrating your enthusiasm for the field. For instance, the National Trust for Historic Preservation offers preservation craft training for young people through Hands-On Preservation Experience (HOPE) crews. Working with these crews allows you to rehabilitate historic sites while learning the best practices for preservation.
Gaining Experience
To stand out in the job market, it’s crucial to develop relevant skills that employers value. Here are a few suggestions:
- Obtain a degree or certification in a related field such as history, architecture, archaeology, urban planning, or cultural resource management.
- Build your technical expertise by studying areas like reconstructing older buildings, reading architectural drawings, or working with mapping software and databases.
- Consider internships and entry-level positions in historic preservation organizations, museums, or consulting firms to gain hands-on experience and increase your chances of securing a permanent role.
Remember, the key to starting a successful career in historic preservation is to be proactive in networking, volunteering, and gaining practical experience. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding job in the field.
