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Description of Unit

The student will imagine himself or herself as a property developer who is interested in preserving and restoring a historic landmark building in his or her community. He or she will research a local historical structure to be saved and develop a plan for how the building can be used once it has been restored. The student will be responsible for creating a building design (e.g., floor plan, streetscape, specific design features) that will serve as a visual guide for future use of the building upon completion. The student will then research all of the factors/needs/steps involved with the preservation of a historic structure; these will include construction costs, fees and permits, financing, and cost of services (e.g., architects, interior designers, landscapers). Finally, the student will develop a timeline for the project, formulate a budget, and create a final display or project. The student will need to shadow or consult with developers, bankers, or general contractors within the community throughout the project. 

This guide links the Local History Alive: Identifying a Local Historical Landmark in Need of Saving unit to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for eleventh and twelfth graders. Local History Alive: Identifying a Local Historical Landmark in Need of Saving is a historical, research-based unit that allows students to explore their community and research a local landmark that needs preserving or saving. Local History Alive: Identifying a Local Historical Landmark in Need of Saving will allow students to work with administrative agencies, government offices, and historic/preservation groups in drawing up a comprehensive preservation plan. This plan could potentially be used by preservationists/investors/community leaders to actually save the landmark. Students will see the importance of historic preservation and learn about how various agencies work cooperatively to save history at the local level. This unit has interdisciplinary connections to architecture, Texas history, U.S. history, math, science, English language arts, basic foundations of historic research and writing/documentation, and local/state/federal government. Students will learn about the elements of architectural design, the basic duties of being a general contractor, and the formulation of a budget to carry out a preservation effort. The following document includes the applicable TEKS and details of the Local History Alive: Identifying a Local Historical Landmark in Need of Saving unit. The final section of this document presents the applicable Texas College and Career Readiness Standards adopted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) on January 24, 2008. 

Phase I. Learning Experiences

Students will walk or drive around their community and search for historic landmarks that are in need of preservation or restoration. They may conduct interviews with employees at the local historical society/museum, genealogical society, or city and county agencies in order to identify an appropriate landmark. Students will conduct an online search for historic preservation plans that can be used as a guide throughout the formation of a scope of work. They will also need to research city codes, historic ordinances, and permits. Students may want to contact bankers, contractors, or other relevant professionals who could act as mentors throughout the process. 

Students should consider the following questions in their search: 

  • What areas of my town tend to have the most impressive or interesting buildings? 
  • Is there a specific neighborhood in my community where there is evidence of historic preservation or architectural distinctiveness? 
  • What groups do I need to talk to in order to get an idea of what landmark preservation efforts the community will support? 
  • What landmarks in my community tell a collective story about who we are and what we stand for? How can we preserve these landmarks so future generations can learn from them? 
  • What websites will be most helpful in putting together a preservation plan, and are there contacts within my county/city/state that might direct my search (e.g., local landmark commission, Texas Historical Commission, National Board of Historic Places).

Phase II. Independent Research

A. Research process 

  1. Selecting a landmark. Each student will identify a historic landmark in the community that needs to be saved. He or she should complete a historical-research document on the structure. The information should include date of construction, purpose for being built, name(s) of builders, and those who occupied the structure over the years. 
  2. Asking guiding questions. The student will create and select guiding questions to drive research, such as the following: 
    1. Which landmark in our community needs to be saved? 
    2. What future use could this landmark serve in our community (e.g., event center, bed and breakfast, residence, business, museum)? 
    3. Who are some architects, contractors, or city/county officials who might assist me along the way? 
    4. Where can I find a template for a renovation/preservation budget? 
    5. What bank or lending institution can I consult to assist me in my plan? 
    6. What community groups (e.g., historical board, library personnel, city hall employees, genealogical society) might assist me in my work? 
    7. What city codes, ordinances, permits, or fees are going to affect the renovation/preservation project? 
    8. How will I use an electronic format to compile and store my findings for presentation? 
    9. How will I create a step-by-step plan for my project (with clearly defined benchmarks along the way to check my progress)? 
    10. Are there multiple perspectives or opinions in the community regarding the preservation of this landmark? 
    11. How has this building changed over time? 
  3. Creating a research proposal. The student will include numerous components in the research proposal, including the following: 
    1. The guiding questions and preliminary, hypothetical answers 
    2. A step-by-step plan for the project (with clearly defined benchmarks along the way to check progress) 
    3. A budget that outlines all of the costs associated with preserving/restoring the landmark 
    4. A package of all the relevant research and information for future developers to use 
    5. A preliminary rendering of the property (e.g., site map, GPS map, architectural blueprints, design details) that showcases the project 
  4. Conducting the research. After the teacher has approved the proposal, the student will begin the project by utilizing the identified resources and additional resources that he or she may encounter during the research process. During this stage, he or she will need to keep a research log, note cards, and/or a resource process sheet of all the sources used and what is learned from each source. The student will follow the step-by-step plan he or she has developed, editing it as the project unfolds. The student will answer his or her own guiding questions more completely during this research period. Each student should take detailed notes and track how his or her thinking has changed or developed during this time (e.g., successes, frustrations, unexpected extra steps, roadblocks). 

B. The product 

The student will demonstrate his or her knowledge and learning by completing the comprehensive step-by-step plan for the full restoration/preservation of the identified landmark. The more advanced and detailed the plan is, the better. The teacher will monitor and assess the ongoing research log that the student will keep. The log should detail unexpected obstacles and difficulties and the methods by which these problems were overcome. The final product will be a “packaged” plan that can theoretically be turned over to city or county officials and used by preservationists/investors/community leaders who want to restore/preserve the landmark. 

C. Communication 

The student has many potential audiences for presenting the final plan/project. The teacher may ask the student to present the project to classmates, the principal/administration, the school board, the city council, a county commission, a historical board, the library board, a genealogical society, or a Rotary or Masons Club. The teacher may use these presentations as part of the summative assessment. The student will gain valuable experience in speaking, presenting, and bundling information into an electronic format. These skills will help the student in his post-graduation work and in life. Finally, the teacher and student will hold a summative reflection on the project. The teacher may send a questionnaire to various community members who played a role in the project and use their remarks as part of the final assessment. The student should be encouraged to submit copies of his or her preservation proposal to city/county officials or a civic organization. The information may be used by a future developer who is interested in the landmark’s restoration/preservation.

D. A completed project consists of:

  1. A well-researched historical account of the selected landmark
  2. The list of guided questions
  3. A detailed research log, note cards, or a research process sheet
  4. A comprehensive step-by-step plan
  5. A final detailed budget for the entire project
  6. A list of all the professionals/consultants/agencies/organizations that played a role in the preservation project
  7. A Works Cited page
  8. A submitted proposal to city/county officials or a civic organization
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