Historic Preservation Certificate (140 hrs)

Historic Preservation Certificate (140 hrs) 
Adults: Ages 18+ 
 
This program is hosted by the Center for the Digital Arts at SUNY Westchester Peekskill, located at 27 North Division Street, Peekskill, NY. Software versions are subject to change. These courses are for ages 18 and up unless otherwise noted. To apply for certificate programs, (excluding Social Media Specialist, AI for Business Owners, and the Historic Preservation programs) visit www.sunywcc.edu/peekskill-apply   

To register for certificate programs, email [email protected] or contact SUNY Westchester Peekskill Center for Digital Arts at 914-606-7300 or email [email protected]   

This one-year, non-credit certificate program serves students and professionals interested in establishing credentials in Historic Preservation across a multitude of job sectors, including building trades such as woodworking and stone masonry, as well 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. The 140-hour program is half classwork and half directed fieldwork in historic preservation. One elective is required to fulfill the certificate. These classes will be remote.
All interested students should contact the Program Coordinator, Alan Strauber, at [email protected] 

For program details visit, www.sunywcc.edu/historic-preservation 
Application form submission required: visit www.sunywcc.edu/peekskill-application 
Program tuition is $2,635. 

American Architectural History 

With an emphasis on Historic Preservation and New York State, this remote 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. Instructor-Alan Strauber 
CE-HIST 2128PE, 14 Tues., Sept. 8-Dec. 15, (skip 11/24), 6:30-8:30 pm.  
Independent option, $527. 

Introduction to Historic Preservation 

This remote 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. Instructor-Erin Tobin 
CE-HIST 2127PE, 14 Weds., Sept. 9-Dec. 16, (skip 11/25), 6:30-8:30 pm.  
Independent option, $527.  

Historic Preservation Field Work I 

CE-HIST 2129PE, TBD. 

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. This class will be offsite 

Historic Preservation Field Work II 

CE-HIST 2130PE, TBD. 

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. This class will be offsite.  

ELECTIVES 

Historic Preservation Woodworking & 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 10 Sat., Sept. 19-Nov. 21, 9:00 am-12:00 noon, (9/19 & 11/21, 9:00-11:00 am).  
Independent option, $527. 

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. Instructor-Sara Mascia 
At SUNY Westchester Peekskill: CE-HIST 2168PE. 

6 Thurs., Jan. 28-Apr. 1, 2026, (skip 2/4, 2/18, 3/4 & 3/18), 6:30-8:30 pm. 

OFFSITE Field Work: 4 Sat., Apr. 3-April 24, 2027, (rain date 5/1), 8:00 am-12:00 noon.  
Independent option, $527.