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Historic Preservation Students presented at 2019 International Trades Preservation Workshop in Stirling, Scotland

STC HP group under tentSAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Historic Preservation students recently participated in the Preservation Trades Network International Trades Workshops and Conference in Stirling, Scotland, hosted by Historic Environment Scotland. The eight students attended workshops on timber framing, brick masonry and mortar repair, blacksmithing, scagliola, stone carving, roof thatching, and window restoration among other things. 

“Learning closely with master craftsfolk was an eye-opening experience,” said STC Historic Preservation student Mae Bowley. “Not only the high level of skill, but also the commitment to education for the next generation of craft practitioners, was powerful.”

STC Historic Preservation students Bowley and Shea Caruso presented a lecture on student involvement designing, developing and fabricating a collar repair bracket used to repair damaged historic markers. This bracket was initially designed to be used for the Troup Square “Jingle Bells” marker restoration in Savannah in 2017. A patent application has been submitted and is in the final stages of review for the collar bracket design.

STC Historic Preservation Department Head Benjamin Curran also presented at the conference during the Educational Symposium. Curran’s presentation addressed the key importance of the trades education to the preservation of our built environments.

“Having the chance to visit the UK for the 2019 International Trades Preservation Workshop really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said STC Historic Preservation student Caitlin Condon. “Not only were we able to learn new techniques, we were able to connect with other preservationists from all over the world and meet with the masters of the trades. The location only added to the experience, and the ability to take field trips to Doune Castle and Stirling Castle made the trip that much more fascinating.”

To augment student learning opportunities beyond the conference, students spent three and a half days in London, two days in Edinburgh, Scotland, and three days in Stirling, Scotland.

While in London students visited four of the most notable museums in the world; the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, and the Museum of Natural History. In addition to seeing some of the greatest pieces of art in human history, students also saw collections of artifacts representing the materials and methods that constructed some of the greatest cultures known to the ancient world. Students also visited Buckingham Palace, Westminster, the Tower of London, St. James Park, and Piccadilly Square. Students were also able to see numerous examples of the Medieval, Tudor, Baroque, Georgian, Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture that influenced the development and evolution of American Architecture.

Students traveled by train to Edinburgh, Scotland where they explored the Old Town District, Edinburgh Castle, and hiked up Arthur’s Seat.

The 1772 Foundations awarded $5,000 in grant funds to support student travel. The Misia Leonard Scholarship awarded two $1,000 scholarships to STC Historic Preservation students Condon and Melissa Hollingsworth.

“Much thanks to Benjamin Curran for organizing this educational adventure,” said Hollingsworth. “And equal thanks to Savannah Tech for allowing us to represent our school and program on an international level. We interacted with professional preservationists who are at the top of their game and inspired us to follow their lead. Aye, they were a bonny clatch and we will do them proud!”

As the only public hands-on Historic Preservation program in Georgia and one of four in the U.S., Savannah Technical College has led the way in preservation education, specializing in training not typically held by construction workers. The program has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. Traditional Building Magazine named Savannah Tech’s Historic Preservation program one of the nation’s Up and Coming programs.

STC’s spring semester starts January 13, and new students are encouraged to apply by December 15. For more information visit:www.savannahtech.edu/CenterTraditionalCraft or contact STC’s Historic Preservation Department Head Benjamin Curran at bcurran@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5864.

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#2013 | October 23, 2019

STC Historic Preservation Department Head: Benjamin Curran
912.443.5864 or bcurran@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

 

 

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).