BEST Preservation Workshop Series

NPS / Skyler DeYoung

The Historic Preservation Training Center is excited to be opening registration for our 2025 BEST Preservation Workshops.

What is the BEST Preservation Workshop Series?

The BEST Preservation Workshop Series trains NPS employees at all levels in the preservation of traditionally built historic resources using problem-based and hands-on learning. Participants should be prepared to think critically, make mistakes, and experiment – both physically and mentally – with materials and concepts at the workshop.

FAQs

• Who can take a course? Workshops are open to anyone who is interested: federal, state, and local government employees; private sector contractors, consultants, architects, and design professionals; students; nonprofit employees; and homeowners.
• What is the cost per course? Tuition costs vary from $450 to $750 per workshop. See individual workshop pages for tuition. Refunds minus processing fees are available up to 30 days before the workshop date and are processed through our Partner, The Campaign for Historic Trades, via Eventbrite.
• How do I register?
  • Step 1: Complete the BEST Registration Form.
  • Step 2: Access the link provided in your registration form confirmation email to pay tuition and complete your registration.
• Who do I talk to about an accommodation? If you are a person with a disability and you need accommodations, please contact us at least 3 weeks before the workshops at BEST_preservation @nps.gov or [phone].

Course Progression

BEST Preservation Workshops build upon one another, following the natural progression of a historic preservation project. Illustrated below, this structure identifies major categories that take a project from concept to reality, and from design to implementation.

• Inquiry: Workshops cover the basics of historic preservation and are strongly recommended for all students before taking more advanced courses.
• Documentation & Investigation: Documentation workshops focus on researching historic resources and recording existing conditions in the field. Investigation workshops teach problem-solving strategies for defining deterioration problems and quantifying their potential impact.
• Treatment: Workshops cover the construction strategies, condition assessment, treatment, and conservation science of major building materials. Treatment workshops are hands-on and split between the field and the classroom.
• Maintenance: Workshops introduce students to methods and best practices for continued stewardship of historic resources after preservation, including how to evaluate treatments, write and follow maintenance plans, and bring historic resources into asset management programs.

NPS / Kris Rugg

2025 B.E.S.T. Preservation Workshops

To find out more information about this year's offerings, download a copy of the 2025 BEST Catalog.

Click here to register for a BEST Preservation Workshop.

Contact

Questions? Contact our team at [e-mail]