Master Preservation Program

Update on the Preservation Society’s Master Preservationist Program

As many of you know, I spent last winter attending class once a week with the Preservation Society, to become a Master Preservationist through their very first pilot program.  We explored, we learned, I blogged and took photos – and am all the better for it.  It was an incredible experience then, so it can only be even better the...

Master Preservationist Program – Day Twelve. What’s in a Name?

Master Preservationist Program – Day Twelve. What’s in a Name?

Apparently, everything when it comes to the value of an historic neighborhood. For Day 12 of our Master Preservationist Program, we met at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, located at 28 Race St and a fine example of Byzantine architecture.  Race St is on the edge of a neighborhood currently referred to as the Westside.  The name...

Master Preservationist Program-Day Ten. Rethinking Sustainability and the Meaning of “Green”

I apologize in advance for the brevity of this post because, well, part of our program on day ten was cut short by the pouring rain (no One Cool Blow and TacoBoy for us!).  But I wanted to put some food for thought out there.  Could historic preservation actually be the most sustainable and ‘green’ of sustainable and ‘green’ practices?...

charleston-sc-garden

Master Preservationist Program-Day Nine. The Glory of Charleston’s Gardens

Oh how I wish there were some way I could capture the scent of wisteria in a Charleston spring and share it with you.  It’s intoxicating.  There’s nothing like wandering the streets with your nose as your guide or peeking into our famous walled gardens to catch a glimpse of another time.  Here in Charleston, one might be so bold...

tullys-alley-charleston-sc

Master Preservationist Program-Day Seven. Asphalt & Infill. Just how smart are we?

How many suburban strip malls and parking expanses do you see abandoned and lifeless on a daily basis?  Tons.  How many ex-urban neighborhoods are now struggling to stay afloat?  Many.  We are all fatter, we drive more, and we know our neighbors less.  Yada yada yada – I know you’ve heard it all.  But it’s time to admit that the...

charleston-library-sc

Master Preservationist Program-Day Six. Preservation Law, Upper King St and a Challenge for Local Architects

Little did I know that two of the buildings that were part of my daily life in New York, would have such wide-reaching influence in preservation law in Charleston.  I also did not know that Upper King St has many buildings designed by one of Charleston’s most pre-eminent architects.  And ANOTHER thing I did not know was that no one has...

Master Preservationist Program-Day Five. Illuminating the Interiors

Wallpaper – NO! Crazy paint colors – NO! Carpet in living areas – NO!  Such has been my generic real estate mantra for years, but ah…how tastes change.  150 years ago I would have been most ignorant and unfashionable, and certainly of the lowest socioeconomic class. In our fifth class of the Master Preservationist Program, we focused on Interpreting a Building’s Interior...

2-meeting-st-charleston-sc

Master Preservationist Program-Day Four. Analyzing the Architecture

Meeting Street blows my mind.  While I always make it a point to look up and around in the midst of my daily hustle bustle, I never realized how much spectacular architecture graces its length.  From South Battery up past Calhoun St – it is not the number of buildings that surprised me, but the tremendous journey through architectural styles that does....

Master Preservationist Program-Day Three. Getting in the Guts

Master Preservationist Program-Day Three. Getting in the Guts

Bricks.  I discovered I have a fascination with bricks – the patterns, the mortar, the construction….But more on that later. On Day 3 of the Master Preservationist Program, we studied Building Technology, or as I like to call it, “getting in the guts.”  One of the purposes of studying building technology is so you can better understand the various parts...

Master Preservationist Program-Day Two. Unearthing a Civilization

Master Preservationist Program-Day Two. Unearthing a Civilization

I’d like to preempt this post with a disclaimer.  You may find me getting on a little bit of a soapbox toward the end, but I promise it won’t hurt too much. 🙂 And so…the topic of study for our second day of the Master Preservationist Program was Archaeology.  Typically most of us think of preservation as having to do...

Master Preservationist Program-Day One. Charting Charleston’s Past

Master Preservationist Program-Day One. Charting Charleston’s Past

In our first day of the Master Preservationist Program we spent our classroom session taking a look at Charleston’s maps since 1685.  As I am very much a map person, my eyes were glued to the screen with rapt attention and I furiously took notes.  Then the second half we visited 54 Tradd St and the Heyward-Washington House.  Skip to...

1 2