Syllabus
Arch Des 597F-01
Researching Historic Structures
Instructor: Steven Bedford Ph.D.
Classroom: 355 Fine Arts Center
Contact: sbedford@hancockshakervillage.com
sbedford@admin.umass.edu
413-443-0188 ext 239
860-874-7104
Researching historic structures is a multi faceted endeavor that requires certain
skills and a particular temperament, including patience, careful observation,
documentation, and ease of research with a variety of types of documents. The
intent of this course is to familiarize the student with all aspects of researching
historic structures. Since the large part of learning these skills is in the doing, the
course will be project oriented. We will meet off site, particularly in March April and
May.
The two texts that we will consult as part of class are
John Burns ed, Recording Historic Structures Wiley press 2003
Try to get the paperback version used.
And
Thomas Carter , Elizabeth Collins Cromley, Invitation to Vernacular Architecture: A
Guide to the Study of Ordinary Buildings and Landscapes. UT press. 2005
The first four classes of the course will focus on observation and research methods
and activities. You will be exposed to the use of real estate documents to help you in
researching your buildings using both online and documentary resources,
Deliverables;
1.Each student will pick a building, or series of buildings, to serve as subject(s) for
up to six short research assignments. These assignments will be short –mostly of
one to two pages in length.
2. Students will form teams to conduct surveys of their specific buildings using the
state survey of the building they have chosen.
Grading will be based on the your submissions, which need to submitted in a timely
manner.
Class 1: intro to class, objectives for class 2 read Cromley 1-79, ground rules for
building to be selected. The building selected for study and the rationale for
selection must be submitted by February 3. Paper should include photographs
Class 2: Documentary Sources: Maps, Contracts, tax records, census data, and other
sources peculiar to New York and New England HABS/HAER, WPA, local histories
and historical societies etc. Map research for your selected building must be
submitted by Feb 17
Class 3: Introduction to deed research. Visit your local registry of deeds; perform
deed research by February 24.
Class 4: Survey methods 1- CT state forms MHC Form B and the NYS blue form etc.
Complete form by class.
Class 5: Measurement 1, Introduction to building recordation, HABS/ Haer
standards. Recording assignment (Bullitt Barn, Hancock or selected building)
Class 6:Measured Buildings 2
Class 7: Measured Buildings 3.
Class 8: Measured Buildings 4