Historic Preservationists

Would you like to learn more about the field of historic preservation? You can begin by contacting your local historical society; most towns maintain such an office dedicated to preserving sites and structures within the community. You may be asked to volunteer for a number of tasks ranging from clerical—answering phones, paperwork, mass mailings—to ones that provide you with hands-on experience such as conducting tours of a historical home to gathering signatures for a landmark petition. During your college education, be sure to participate in as many internships in historic preservation as possible to obtain experience.

Pass on that vacation to a seaside resort and opt instead for a driving tour of the nation's best landmarks. Don't forget to visit museums or tourist centers often located near the sites to learn more about the structure or landmark. Visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Web site (https://savingplaces.org) for information on our country's historical treasures.

Participate in information interviews with historic preservationists. In such an interview—which can be conducted in-person, on the phone, or through video-conferencing technology—you will get the opportunity to ask historic preservationists about their job duties, work environment, likes and dislikes about their careers, educational training, and other topics that will help you to learn more about the field. Ask your school counselor or a teacher to help you set up information interviews. Perhaps you could even job-shadow a historic preservationist to learn even more about the field.