Richard Laub, Director, Heritage Preservation Program
Department of History, Room 819
404-463-9206
hisrel@langate.gsu.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 4:00-6:00 PM

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Overview

History 8700 is a research seminar designed to help students acquire skills in the documentation, analysis and designation of historic sites and districts. Students will have the opportunity to explore the sources of documentation, process and designation of properties to the National Register of Historic Places. The course will also include the analysis of a variety of historic preservation case studies to understand the interrelationships between different layers of government, the nonprofit community and the private sector in relation to historic preservation issues.

Learning Goals

1. Examine and analyze documentation (for quality and substance) from a variety of sources concerning historic preservation issues and provide critical commentary and conclusions about the outcomes. Offer alternative approaches to the project process.
2. Understand the effects and limitations of various historic preservation laws and codes, the involvement of the non-profit organizations and private sectors on preservation cases.
3. Research and document an area for eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
4. Justify the potential boundaries of National Register District(s) or a Multiple Property nomination.
5. Provide contexts, property types and the completion of the requirements for listing of a Multiple Property National register nomination.

Sample Course Schedule

Class 1

Orientation and Overview of the course and requirements

Class 2

Andrews-Dunn House and Randolph-Lucas House, Atlanta. Case Study Walk through: Doug Young, Historic Preservation Planner, Atlanta Urban Design Commission

Readings: Case Studies of the Andrews-Dunn House and the Randolph-Lucas House

Class 3

Overview of the National Register of Historic Places, contexts, eligibility, and nomination criteria: Richard Cloues, Unit Manager, Georgia Historic Preservation Division and Gretchen Kinnard, National Register Program Coordinator, Georgia Historic Preservation Division

Readings: National register Bulletins 15, 16A and 16B

Class 3

National Register Review Board Meeting (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM), Commerce Club, Marietta and Forsyth Sts., Atlanta

Class 4

Overview of the Arabia Mountain area and the potential for designation as a National Heritage Area: Kelly Jordan, Director, Arabia Mountain Alliance

Class 5 - Saturday

Site visit to the Arabia Mountain area for orientation and overview of the project

Due: National Heritage Area reports

Class 6

Review of Historic Resources Survey of the Arabia Mountain area and historical background: David Cullison, Historic Preservation Planner, Dekalb County

Class 7

Facilitation and Consensus Building: Bill Parrish

Class 8

Historic Preservation and the Environmental Movement, friends or competitors: Susan Kidd, Vice President, Georgia Conservancy

Class 9 - Saturday

Site visit to Arabia Mountain area

Due: Report on National register Review Board Meeting

Class 10

Open Class (Suggested activity: coordination of Group Project)

Class 11

Working with the Press and the Media: Karen Huebner, Executive Director, Atlanta Urban design Commission

On-the-Spot Analysis Session: Karen Huebner and Doug Young

Class 12

Due: First draft of the Arabia Mountain Area Multiple Property Nomination (Group Project)

Class 13

Student Presentations: Palmer-Phelan Apartments Case Study and the Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Case Study

Class 14

Feedback and discussion of the first draft of the group project: Gretchen Kinnard, Georgia Historic Preservation Division

Class 15

Student Presentations: Olympia Building/GSU Classroom Building Case Study and the Rich's Department Store Case Study

Class 16

Student Presentation: Techwood Homes Case Study

Due: Second draft of Arabia Mountain Area Multiple Property Nomination (Group Project)

Class 17

Student Presentation: Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill Case Study

Class 18

Site visit to the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill, Lewis Brown, President, Aderhold Properties

Class 19

Completed Copy of the Group Project Due

Presentation of the findings of the Group Project to interested parties in a location in the Arabia Mountain area

Requirements

Each student will make two oral presentations; submit five case study worksheets; provide three written reports; submit one final team project; and actively take part in class discussions and field trips.

1. The first assignment will be to research and submit a report of not less that eight double-spaced pages about National Heritage Area (NHA) designation. Describe the motivation for places to become NHA's, the designation process, the advantages and disadvantages of NHA designation, the history of the program and profile three areas in the country that have been designated and the effects of the designation. Describe why you think the Arabia Mountain area would seek such a designation and the advantages to residents, government, non-profit organizations and visitors.

2. The second report will consist of a written discussion of not less than three double-spaced pages about your observations from attending the Georgia National Register Review Board meeting held on January 25th. Describe the purpose of the Board and how it operates in conjunction with the Georgia Historic Preservation Division. The report will include a summary of the cases heard, the students observations about the cases, and any comments regarding the presentations and meeting procedures themselves.

3. For the third assignment, each student will pick one of the case studies for in-depth research, analysis, and reporting. A written report will include the following topics: the facts and circumstances of the case (see briefing sheet assignment in #4 below), National Register eligibility issues (if any), outcome(s), media coverage, and recommendations (policy, procedural, public involvement, partnerships, etc.) for similar type situations that might arise in the future. A key component of this report will be the student's assessment and analysis of the situation, process, outcome, participants/roles, documents, etc. The student will also be responsible for gathering additional information and documents at the Atlanta Urban Design Commission, the Georgia Historic Preservation Division, from media sources and from personal interviews. The student should visit the site to asses it's present condition. This report should be not less than 10 double-spaced pages (plus any attachments) and will be due at the end of the class at which that case study is presented and discussed. The author of the in-depth report will make an oral presentation of their findings and lead the discussion of the case study in class that night.

4. For each case study, every student (except for the student doing the in-depth case study) will prepare a written briefing sheet on the resource being discussed during that class. In order to prepare the briefing sheet, the student must visit the site, research the designation information on the resource (by use of the Internet) and locate any media coverage on the issue. Below is the outline of the topics to be covered in the briefing sheet:

   • Official name of the resource and other/common names (if applicable)
   • Type of listing and/or designation (local/federal and what level)
   • Specific action which triggered the review or regulation
   • Code, ordinance, and/or regulations involved and why
   • Summary/key points of the review and/or regulation process
   • Outcome and current status
   • Missed opportunities and recommendations for the next time

   Another way of looking at this assignment is as a memo that you, as a staff person, would prepare for your supervisor to read before going to a meeting on the issue. What are the absolute critical and relevant facts to note and brief analysis to explain in order that your supervisor has a clear picture of the situation. Supervisors usually want as brief but complete a picture as possible; i.e. one to three pages. Each student's briefing sheet will be due at the beginning of the class at which that case study is discussed.

5. The final team project will consist of completed documentation of a National Register Multiple Property nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for the Arabia Mountain area of Dekalb County. The project will include the production of historic context(s) for the area, a chronology and identification of associated contributing property types (including quarries, archeological sites and landscapes), geographical data as to the extent of the area, a summary of the identification and evaluation methods used, representative photographs and slides of the area, oral interviews, supporting documentation and a complete bibliography. The product will be submitted to the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (HPD) for evaluation and processing. In addition, the team will outline the components of a public education program to inform residents and interested parties as to the value of the national Register designation.

   The team will present its findings to an audience of interested parties during the week of April 29. On the same date, they will submit a completed copy of the Team Project to the course instructor, HPD and the Arabia Mountain Alliance.

Student Evaluation

Each students final grade will be based on the following:

• 15% - National Heritage Area Report
• 10% - Georgia National Register Review Board Report
• 25% - In-depth Case Study Assignment
  • 15% - written report
  • 10% - presentation and leading discussion
• 10% - Case Study Briefing Sheets
  • 2% per case study
• 30% - Final Team Project
  • 20% - written report
  • 10% - presentation
• 10% - Class Participation/Discussion