Historic Preservation Program Courses

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides background on the history of buildings, including various building technologies, materials and finishes. The emphasis is on North American building practices from c.1600 to c.1960, though other building traditions will be touched upon. The course is intended to introduce students to the range of construction techniques and to methods currently used in the investigation of older buildings. It also provides some background on the characteristics and properties of various technologies and materials. Topics covered will include traditional masonry construction, timber technology, nail chronology, historic paints and other finishes, window fabrication, hardware, roofing materials, and historic mechanical systems. Students will both read about historic practices and materials and learn how to "read" or otherwise investigate historic buildings.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:
The course will be a combination of lectures, field exercises and readings. Students will be expected to attend class sessions and participate in discussions. Weekly reading assignments will serve as additional background for lectures and as a basis for classroom discussion. Grading will be as follows:

• Attendance/Participation 20%
• Presentation 20%
• Mid-term Exam 20% Paper 20%
• Final Exam 20%

TEXTS AND READINGS:

Required:

David Owen, The Walls Around Us
COURSE READER, 2 vols. (Purchase details will be provided)

Recommended:

Asher Benjamin, The American Builder's Companion (1827) RESERVE
Association for Preservation Technology, Hardware Compendium RESERVE
A. Bettesworth, C. Hitch, The Builder's Dictionary (1734), Vol. 1 & 2, RESERVE
Catherine W. Bishir, Charlotte V. Brown, Architects and Builders in North Carolina, RESERVE
William T.Comstock, Victorian Domestic Architectural Plans and Details (1881), RESERVE
Sylvanus W. Doughty, J. C. Hecker, Planning for Exterior Work on the First Parish Church, Portland, Maine, RESERVE
Ian Evans, Clive Lucas, Color Schemes for Old Australian Houses, RESERVE
Jacqueline Fearn, Thatch and Thatching, RESERVE
Catherine L. Frangiamore, Wallpapers in Historic Preservation, RESERVE
Eugene S. Ferguson, Bibliography of the History of Technology
Maximilian Ferro, AIA, and Melissa Cook, Electric Wiring and Lighting in Historic American Buildings, . RESERVE
Margot Gayle, David Look, AIA, and John Waite, Metals in America's Historic Buildings, . RESERVE
J.E. Gordon, Structures, or Why Things Don't Fall Down, RESERVE
Frederick T. Hodgson, Plasters, Mortars and Cements, RESERVE
Caleb Hornbostle, Construction Materials
H. Ward Jandl, ed., The Technology of Historic American Buildings
deJongh/Gjessing, Architects, Fort Christian Historic Structures Report, RESERVE
Mark London, Masonry: How to Care for Old and Historic Brick and Stone, RESERVE
Harley McKee, FAIA, Introduction to Early American Masonry, RESERVE
Henry C. Mercer, The Dating of Old Houses (1923), Bucks County RESERVE
Roger W. Moss, Lighting for Historic Buildings
Roger W. Moss, ed., Paint in America, RESERVE
Roger W. Moss, Century of Color, 1820-1920, RESERVE
Roger W. Moss, Gail C. Winkler, Victorian Exterior Decoration, RESERVE
Roger W. Moss, Gail C. Winkler, Victorian Interior Decoration, RESERVE
Denys Myers, Gaslighting in America: A Guide for Historic Preservation
New York Landmarks Conservancy, Windows: A Manual for Architects and Homeowners
Richard Nylander, Wallpapers for Historic Buildings
Theodore Penn, Decorative and Protective Finishes, 1750-1850,
Charles Peterson, FAIA, ed., Building Early America, . RESERVE
Charles Peterson, FAIA, ed., The Carpenters' Company 1786 Rule Book, RESERVE
Everett M. Rogers, Diffusion of Innovations
Lawrence B. Romaine, A Guide to American Trade Catalogs
Loris S. Russell, A Heritage of Light
Natalie Shivers, Walls & Molding: How to Care for Old and Historic Wood and Plaster
R. W. Shoppell, et.al., Turn-of-the Century Houses, Cottages and Villas, RESERVE
Don Stagg, B. Pegg, Plastering Questions & Answers, RESERVE
Frank S. Welsh, Paintpamphlet, RESERVE
Peter C. Welsh, Woodworking Tools, 1600-1900, Paper 51