Hands on with History: Historic Preservation and Material Culture Essentials Charleston's history surrounds us. From the city's historic architecture and landscapes to the ceramics and glass found on our tables, tangible aspects of our past shape our lives and endure as invaluable reminders of earlier generations. This Hands on with History program is a three-day course designed and instructed by Drayton Hall Curatorial staff to explore examples of Charleston's historic material culture. Intended for participants who do not have a formal education in history, historic preservation or archaeology, the interactive sessions will feature classroom and field-based learning activities to gain knowledge and skill in understanding the significance of our material world. All courses will meet in downtown Charleston at The Cigar Factory, Mondays from 10am-12pm starting September 14, 2026 through October 5, 2026 Instructors include: Trish Lowe Smith, Vice President of Preservation, Archaeology and Collection for Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, has a B.A. in Art History from the USC Honors College and an M.S. in Historic Preservation from Clemson University. Beyond her work at Drayton Hall, she holds teaching and leadership roles with Clemson's Historic Preservation Program, the Association for Preservation Technology International, and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation. Carter C. Hudgins PhD - After graduating with a B.A. in history from Hampden-Sydney College, Hudgins received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history and material culture from Royal Holloway, University of London. Today he serves as the president and CEO of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, a 501c3 responsible for the operation and administration of Drayton Hall. Session #1: Ceramics and Glass: A first session will explore the production, consumption and evolution of historic ceramic and glass objects. The conversation will include both archaeological and decorative arts examples as we explore locally made and imported vessels. Session #2: Historic Architecture and Materials: Participants will learn how to identify historic buildings, determine their age, style, and character-defining features. This session will explore commonly used historic materials, their history and usage, as well as best practices for preserving them. Hands-on activities may include paper conservation, wood repair, or masonry repair. Session #3: Landscapes & Archaeology: Participants will learn what defines a cultural landscape and how to "read" a historic landscape for clues that reveal its past. The session will also explore the destructive science of archaeology, how to advocate for the protection of archaeological resources, and how artifacts are cleaned and cataloged for further study. This session may also include exercises in field sketching and mapping. Session #4: Emergency salvage for historic objects: Participants will learn how to salvage historic objects and buildings after floods, fires, and other natural and man-made disasters. The session will also explore how to plan for disasters and how to avoid being taken advantage of by bad actors after a disaster has occurred. Hands-on activities will include salvaging books and papers from simulated flood water, and packing a disaster go-bag Reserve your spot today