The comprehensive Preservation Carpentry program teaches the time-honored skills and values of fine craftsmanship. Our students share a love of history, materials, quality workmanship, and working with their hands to build, restore, and preserve beautiful structures that last.
The two-year program combines an introduction to contemporary residential construction with a foundation in pre-20th century New England home construction. You’ll learn a broad range of construction methods, including stabilizing endangered buildings, preserving architectural details, and recreating historical design elements. Through lectures, hands-on projects, and collaborative field work, you’ll gain an understanding of how current technology compares to traditional techniques. You’ll graduate with the skills needed to work with contractors and institutions specializing in preservation work, including historical millwork and interior finish carpentry.
The program space includes first and second year bench rooms, where each student is assigned a bench and work space, and a central machine room. New England’s rich historical legacy of pre-20th century buildings provides exceptional field projects. Such site work is often done in collaboration with non-profit museums and historical sites.
"Immediately after graduating, I was able to start my own company in Texas. We have grown into a well-respected contractor and historic millwork provider with clients across the country."
Brent Hull PC '93
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In recent years, there has been an uptick in programs encouraging women to change their perception of the trades. These new and expanded strategies are an effort to help women see what was once a male-dominated industry as a viable career option. We explore the changing landscape of the building trades in this series – while also celebrating some of the talented women who began their careers at NBSS and are making an impact in their fields.
After graduating from NBSS, Tracy Chim Rines PC '09 went on to open her own business, TLC Woodworking. For the past ten years, she has specialized in making and restoring custom storm windows and doors. "I couldn't imagine doing something else with my life right now," Tracy says. "I am happy to go to work, and I look forward to spending time with my coworkers and being in my shop where I feel at ease. I remember when I was afraid to pick up the tools, and now it's just second nature." Meet a tradeswoman featured in our Women in the Building Trades series.
When it came time to restore a stone cottage – originally built by a World War I general – on his property in Westwood, a homeowner turned to the NBSS Preservation Carpentry faculty. The project's biggest challenge was the building's over-sized door in need of restoration, but which was also missing the key. This opened the door to a collaboration with Locksmithing & Security Technology faculty (and many others) to recreate a one-of-a-kind key.
Woodworking Network featured NBSS in an article in the July 2019 issue of FDMC Magazine. They highlighted the work of two recent graduates, Abbie Smith CF '19, a US Marine Corps veteran, and Diego Rojas CA '17, PC '19, a first-generation American, as well as NBSS President Sarah Turner. Read the full article here.
Have you ever noticed a team craning up a Christmas tree to place on top of a nearly-finished building? Perhaps you've driven under a recently refurbished bridge and spied a large wreath at the top of its massive arch. In each case, this practice is part of a long history of builder's rituals dating back thousands of years.
Preservation Magazine recently profiled the award-winning Fowler Clark Epstein Farm. This innovative project from Historic Boston, Inc. involved many years of work from our Preservation Carpentry program and other dedicated nonprofits.