Meet the Ireland 2012 Fieldwork Team:

 

Carter L. Hudgins

Director of the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation

Carter L. Hudgins is director of the joint Graduate Program in Historic Preservation. A native of the small Tidewater Virginia town of Franklin, Hudgins completed a BA at the University of Richmond and an MA at Wake Forest University prior to receiving the PhD in early American history at the College of William and Mary. Trained as an historian and archaeologist, Hudgins has interspersed work in both the public and private sector through his academic career. A field archaeologist with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources early in his career, he later served for seven years as director of Historic Charleston Foundation. Prior to his appointment to the faculties of Clemson University and the College of Charleston, Hudgins was a member of the history faculties at the University of Alabama/Birmingham where he implemented the graduate curriculum in public history and the University of Mary Washington where he was chairperson of both the Department of History and American Studies (2002-2008) and the Department of Historic Preservation (1984-1993), a program in which he held appointment as the Hofer Distinguished Professor of Early American Culture and Historic Preservation.

Allisyn K. Miller

Adminstrative Coordinator

Allisyn Miller provides administrative support to the program director, faculty and students and works closely with Clemson University and the College of Charleston to foster a collaborative environment. She is the primary on-site administrative support contact for the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, and is an alumna of the College of Charleston.

Laurel Bartlett

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Geneseo State University

A native New Yorker, I was born in western New York and grew up in the Hudson Valley. Growing up in a dilapidated resort area, I was always disheartened by the vacant hotels and deteriorating landscape. And it was during the pursuit of my B.A. in Political Science that I took a course in Urban and Regional Planning and was introduced to the concept of Historic Preservation. So following graduation, I went where every aspiring politician goes…to Savannah, Georgia of course! After living in Savannah for four years I developed a deep appreciation for the planning of preservation activities as well as the restoration process and antebellum architecture. After working in the financial and insurance industries, I decided to continue my education with my true passion and redirect my career path towards Historic Preservation. My principal interests are in historic materials and conservation and I hope to pursue the Architectural Conservator route following graduation.

My thesis will address visitor impact at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the resultant degradation of the architectural fabric and finishes.

Pam Kendrick

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology & Construction Management, Old Dominion University

I grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia where I developed a love for historic architecture at a very early age. After graduating from Old Dominion University I moved to Biloxi, Mississippi where I worked as a Civil Engineering Associate and Construction Inspector for two years. My love for my hometown in combination with my undergraduate studies and work experience in the fields of construction and engineering helped me to realize that my real passion is in historic building technology. Studying historic preservation in Charleston has been a dream of mine since high school and I’m excited to be living out that dream!

My thesis topic will aim to uncover the design, implementation, and evolution of the truss roof system in Charleston, SC.

Neale Nickels

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, University of Virginia

I didn’t see preservation coming, even though it was right in front of my eyes. I always knew that I loved history – of people, places, and buildings – and I have always thoroughly enjoyed working with my hands: building, creating, and searching for what makes things work and what makes them fail. Add to that a longing to understand why folks of my grandparents’ generation always say “they just don’t make ‘em like they used to,” and that’s a very condensed explanation of why I’m here.

I was born and raised in Orange, Virginia, outside of Charlottesville. Later, I received my BA in Environmental Science from The University of Virginia. During my time there I served the citizens of Albemarle County as a volunteer firefighter with Seminole Trail Vol. Fire Department, continuing the service that I began in Orange as a teenager.

One year in to the MSHP program and I have really found my stride in a place where I am challenged academically, offered chances to grow professionally, and personally enriched. My thesis topic stems from a great opportunity that I have had working as a carpenter for Richard Marks Restorations here in Charleston. Medway Plantation is undergoing a major restoration project, which has given us a chance to see it in a way that it has not been seen in ages. To further contribute to research that has been done on Medway I am planning to complete a historic structures report on the house, which I believe will help answer many questions about its architectural development.

Rebecca Quandt

Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies, University of Washington

It was when I was running through the streets of Philadelphia and LA during my first two marathons (and yes… they will be my last) that I realized the passion I had for urban planning and geography. I decided to major in Urban Studies and GIS at the University of Washington. Growing up in a small town in Kansas and moving to the Seattle area only confirmed my desire to study city development. I have held internships in numerous city municipalities; working in current and long range planning, green streets and mixed-use centers designing, as well as planning and development. Utilizing my skills in Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Modeling has encouraged me to take my mapping capabilities one step further and obtain a Master’s degree in Historic Preservation. I am very interested in preservation-based community development and I can only hope that the research and work I complete while studying in Charleston will make an impact on the rest of the country.

My thesis research will focus on preservation-based community development on the Upper Charleston Peninsula. By combining community members hand drawn mental maps with the prioritization of utilizing pre-existing resources in the built environment, I hope to preserve a neighborhoods ‘sense of community’.

Mary Margaret Schley

Bachelor of Arts in Art History, University of Georgia

I grew up on a farm right outside of Columbus, GA in a nineteenth century house my father and his friends restored. I think my love for this house and my father stimulated my interest in preserving old buildings at an early age. I attended the University of Georgia for undergrad where I got my degree in Art History. My favorite art history classes were always those that incorporated architecture. By the end of my undergraduate experience, I was anxious to work in a more “hands-on” field where I could apply my knowledge to my every-day environment. The Clemson/College of Charleston Historic Preservation program was perfect for me in that regard because we are actively learning and working within the community of Charleston. And what better place is there to study old buildings than Charleston?!

For my thesis, I am exploring the history and identity of the Charleston chamber of the United Order of Tents, a female, African-American secret society that has served the community for nearly a century. This summer the benevolent society was expelled from their meeting house located at 73 Cannon Street due to a city enforced public nuisances code. This eviction has brought in to question the groups connection to the building, property, and neighborhood they have inhabited for sixty years. The research question I seek to answer this year is: what is the historical and social identity of the United Order of Tents in Charleston and is this organization’s identity linked to the building, property, or neighborhood of 73 Cannon Street?

Liz Shaw

Bachelors of Science in Interior Design, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

Originally from Shelbyville, IL, I just recently graduated from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale with a B.S. in Interior Design in May 2011. I first became interested in preservation in high school while volunteering in the restoration of the historic single-screened movie theatre in my hometown and then, a few years later, researching and petitioning to save the endangered Chautauqua Auditorium, also in my hometown. I decided to study Interior Design during my undergrad because adaptive reuse has always been a primary interest of mine. The Clemson University/College of Charleston program was an obvious choice for me to pursue my interest in historic preservation and I enjoy the hands-on approach and living and learning in this beautiful city.

My thesis will involve creating a set of guidelines for the successful adaptive reuse of kitchen and carriage houses.

Julia Tew

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, Western Carolina University

I was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since childhood I’ve had a passion for houses. I have been able to tour many historic towns and plantations throughout the southeast and I have grown to love southern architecture. After taking architectural drafting classes in high school I realized architecture wasn’t for me; instead I would pursue construction. Being more of a hands-on person this seemed like a more suitable direction. I had a wonderful 4 years in the mountains attending WCU and construction seemed to be a really good fit. After graduation I worked in industrial construction for a year and a half followed by a job in commercial landscaping. During these four years all I could think about were houses, but I became increasingly disappointed by current industry standards. Last year I finally put my love of houses and history together when I came across this program and it all clicked from there. I am excited to begin working toward a career in the preservation and restoration of historic structures.

The thesis topic I will be pursuing this year is the history of the stew stove and its architectural and cultural impact on the Aiken Rhett property.