Revised 1/2025

HIS 181 - Introduction to Historic Preservation (3 CR.)

Course Description

Provides a foundation and introduction to historic preservation practices and issues in Virginia and the United States. Emphasizes legislation, policies, and methodologies that form our present national, state, and local preservation systems. Includes specific treatment of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course will provide an introduction to the history of historic preservation, the practical approach and implementation of current preservation trends, and contemporary issues and challenges facing the field. Emphasis will be placed on the legislation, policies and methodologies that form our present national, state and local Northern Virginia preservation system.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Summarize the development of the historic preservation movement in this country
  • Explain the different approaches to preserving historically significant structures and features
  • Identify strategies to document and conserve historically and culturally significant resources
  • Evaluate and survey historically significant resources in accordance with federal, state, and local preservation guidelines
  • Explain the main features of local architectural and preservation commission requirements
  • Develop research techniques for documenting historic sites
  • Apply historic preservation research skills in order to complete historic registration nomination forms

Major Topics to Be Included

  • The history and theory of historic preservation
  • Chronology of important historical preservation milestones from the early nineteenth century to today, including but not limited to:
    • Mount Vernon
    • Williamsburg
    • The New Deal Era
    • National Trust for Historic Preservation
    • Urban Renewal / Adaptive Reuse
    • National Historic Preservation Acts
    • Implementation of NHPA at the federal, state, and local level
    • Funding and tax incentives
    • Preservation in Virginia
    • Local architectural and preservation commissions
  • Philosophy of historic preservation
    • Terms, definitions, and parameters
    • Guidelines
      • What to preserve?
      • Methodology
      • Research
      • Documentation
    • State and local preservation policies
    • Inclusion and empowerment
    • Historic, Architectural, and Planning Commission requirements
  • Report writing / National Register of Historic Preservation Nomination Form
    • Methodology
    • Historical research
    • Historical significance
    • State and local bureaucracy
    • Documentation
    • Bibliography