The Pacific Northwest Preservation Field School is now accepting applications for three one-week sessions at the Railroad Ranch in eastern Idaho this September. The curriculum includes strategies for assessing and repairing historic wood and log construction, rehabilitating historic windows, masonry repair, as well as other projects, lectures on cultural resource management, local history, tours and more
Railroad Ranch, Harriman State Park , United States
The Pacific Northwest Preservation Field School (PNWPFS) has been teaching hands-on preservation skills at historic sites throughout Oregon, Idaho, and Washington for over 25 years. This year, the PNWPFS will be held at the historic Railroad Ranch at Harriman State Park in eastern Idaho.
During three one-week sessions in September 2022, field school participants will assist with the rehabilitation of the historic ranch structures including the Oil House, Tractor Shed, Harriman Cottage, and other structures. Projects will include wood and log repair, log replacement, window rehabilitation, condition assessments, cultural landscape investigations, and specialized historic building maintenance. Professionals will provide evening lectures on the history, theory, and practice of cultural resource management and historic preservation. Participants live, learn, and work at the site throughout the session. All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion confirming their basic knowledge of historic preservation theory and practice. For an additional fee, participants may register for two University of Oregon Continuing Education credits.
When and What: Session 1: Materials Intensive–Wood, August 28–September 2 Our first session will focus on the most significant material at the Railroad Ranch, wood. Topics include wood and log condition assessment, repair, and selective replacement. We will repair, reglaze, and possibly reconstruct historic sash windows. Additional projects may include light masonry repair, and more. This one-week session is ideal for participants who want to increase their knowledge of preservation practices related to wood elements in historic buildings (especially log buildings).
Session 2: Specialized Preservation–Maintenance, September 6–9 During our second Field School session, students will recondition and repair historic wood windows, rehabilitate wood, log, and masonry elements, and conduct condition assessments and small repairs common in historic structures. This four-day session is ideal for facilities and maintenance staff at National Forests, State Parks, National Parks, or anyone working in the field of historic structure maintenance and rehabilitation.
Session 3: Preservation Primer, September 11–16 The final week of Field School will offer an introduction to historic preservation and preservation trades. Topics include the history and theory of preservation, cultural resource management basics, historic building materials (with an emphasis on wood), best preservation practices, cultural landscape assessments, and more. This one-week session is ideal for those who are new to the field and all incoming students to the University of Oregon’s Historic Preservation program.
Who: The Pacific Northwest Preservation Field School is sponsored by the University of Oregon, the National Park Service, the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Washington State Parks, the Idaho State Historical Society and our host, Idaho State Parks and Recreation.
Instructors for the Field School include professional preservationists with decades of experience working with the National Park Service and private rehabilitation contracting companies. Field School lectures and educational sessions are led by instructors from the University of Oregon and cultural resource management professionals from both the public and private sector.
Tuition and Credits:
Session
Tuition
Tuition + One Undergraduate Credit
Tuition + One Graduate Credit
1 or 3
$900
$1,150
$1,250
Session
Tuition
Tuition + Two Undergraduate Credits
Tuition + Two Graduate Credits
2
$600
$750
$825
Tuition includes food, lodging, and local transportation for the duration of the session. Undergraduate and graduate credits are available for students at University of Oregon and other academic institutions. The Peting Scholarship is open to all Field School participants and covers the cost for one field school session and a $100 travel allowance (up to $1350).
How: Applications are now open for the Field School! The application deadline is August 1, 2022.
