University Of Pittsburgh Considers Preservation Degree Program

"Inspired by Pittsburgh's national reputation in historic preservation, its namesake university is considering developing a degree program in the field.

The academic discipline devoted to the study and preservation of old buildings is relatively young. New York's Columbia University began the first one a little more than 40 years ago. Since then, preservation education has grown to include a dozen institutions offering undergraduate degrees or certificates and 24 offering graduate programs.

Some of those, such as Belmont Technical College in St. Clairsville, Ohio, offer hands-on training for students who want to learn the building trades. Others take a more academic approach. Columbia, for example, offers a comprehensive architectural, legal and technical program, but with an emphasis on interpretation. Students explore the meaning of historic buildings and the lessons they convey about the human condition so they can make effective arguments for preserving them.

Pitt isn't sure which direction a program here should take, and that's one of the reasons it's hosting a day-long symposium Saturday, bringing together the heads of some of the country's top preservation programs with representatives of local museums, preservation groups, architecture firms and universities, including Pitt faculty and students."