SAVANNAH — Savannah Technical College’s historic preservation department recently was accepted into associate membership with the National Council for Preservation Education.

The council has more than 50 member institutions across the United States. The NCPE standards evaluating associate members include the program’s mission statement, fundamental and specialized components, how coursework and studio projects are defined and the placement of graduates.

“It is an honor to be voted in as a member of the NCPE,” said Stephen Hartley, instructor and founder of the College’s Historic Preservation and Restoration program. “NCPE members are some of the top schools in the nation, and the inclusion of Savannah Tech into that organization is a testament to the excellent work that the students do on a daily basis.”

Savannah Tech’s Historic Preservation Department welcomes three visiting artisans annually to give students specialized training. Savannah Tech has the only hands-on preservation program in Georgia. The program has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. Historic preservation is the cornerstone of new instructional programs in Green Building Technology, which focuses on a comprehensive view of systems and efficiencies in construction.

For more information, like the department’s Facebook page.