Announcements

WVU's CRM and Public History Programs encourages student participation and gaining hands-on experience in the field. Often classes are held at on-site locations in order to allow the students to practice CRM in the real world. This helps to enhance their skills and knowledge by confronting them with the challenges and rewards they likely will experience after graduation.

Field School at the Pence-Dowdy Farm, Summer 2005

Every summer there is at least one field school available for enrollment by CRM/Public History students. In 2005, the students spent an intense three days on a nearly two hundred year old farm in Monroe County, West Virginia in order to complete a National Register Nomination for the property. The students were a critical part of the process since they were responsible for researching county and regional history at the local library and Historical Society, as well as tracking down court documents related to the property. The students ultimately completed their own nomination for the property. The individual nominations were then used to complete a final product which will be submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office in Spring 2006. The students not only obtained hands-on knowledge of how a building is placed on the National Register, but they also have gained the all important experience in the field that so many employers require when they interview candidates for a job.

A view from the East

The original brick structure, ca. 1827 contained an extraordinary molded cornice.

The remnants of a ca. 1780 log cabin the students discovered hidden behind the modern walls of a granary.

Two barns that are a part of the working farm.

One of two old schoolhouses that make up the farm.

What may have been a summer kitchen, limestone kiln or perhaps both.

Monroe County Historical Society Museum

Also in Summer 2005, students gained first-hand experience in their Archival Management class. Larry Sypolt, the program's archival expert, led an expedition to the Monroe County Historical Society where students helped to organize their irreplaceable collection. By creating a new Collections Management Policy for the small museum, students were exposed to the handling of delicate archival materials, as well as challenged to resolve common small collection problems, such as the damage improper climate and light can do to highly sensitive artifacts.

Employment and Related Announcements

eCultural Resources
Preservenet

CRM Related Issues

The National Trust
The National Park Service
The National Register of Historic Places
Preservation Directory
Common Ground Magazine
The Journal of Heritage
Stewardship
The National Preservation Institute
The Preservation Trades Network
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

Local and Regional Organizations

Preservation Alliance West Virginia
Vandalia Heritage Foundation
Dorsey's Knob
Main Street Morgantown
WV Division of Culture and History