Preservationists advocate the preservation of wildlife, natural areas and historical sites including buildings, landscapes, parks, gardens, and landmarks. They are responsible for identifying historic properties and landmarks and registering them with government regulatory agencies.
They review applications for construction in historic districts and consult with owners and architects to provide technical direction for appropriate treatment of historic resources. They restore, rehabilitate, or correct violations issued on landmarks and historic properties. Preservationists may be requested to deliver presentations to the public regarding the importance of preservation or information about specific historical sites.
Preservationists are employed by federal and provincial governments.
Skills
Preserving Our Identity
Heritage refers to the inheritance of the past; monuments, buildings, land, artifacts, language, traditions, folklore, and social and economic practices. A career in cultural heritage means preserving, reviving, and bringing past events and traditions to the present. Career options are far reaching – tourism, design, storytelling, and education are some of the areas in which our cultural heritage thrives. The workforce includes, educators, archivists, restorers and preservationists, architects and curators. A career in cultural heritage means preserving our history and identity.
Events, Traditions, Methods
A career in heritage preservation comes with great responsibility – to accurately communicate information about past events, to share traditions from times long ago, to preserve and pass along methods of building, design and construction. Working in this field requires specific attention to detail and accuracy. The ability to investigate, research, and compile complex findings.
Community Service
Heritage workers play a great role with the community, their work is displayed in public places such as, historic buildings on streets, restored artifacts in galleries and museums, or documents in archival institutions like libraries. They plan, organize, and analyze their findings in order to clearly communicate intricate ideas to many people. A heritage worker interacts with people of all ages, acting as a resource or assisting others with their own research. They are ambassadors of customer service.
People – Connections
Heritage workers love history and enjoy connecting the past with the present through language and art. Above and beyond all of the duties, expectations, and responsibilities that come with being a part of the heritage workforce, is a desire to preserve and protect their identity and their community’s identity.
A university degree in social sciences, history, architectural history, historic preservation or a related field is required.