The Golden K Kiwanis Club learned more about a topic that affects cemeteries and property in the communities they live and work in: historic preservation.

ECC Historic Preservation Program Director Monika Fleming brought the group up-to-date Wednesday on the progress Edgecombe Community College has made since the program was introduced in September 2008, and what to look forward to.

Through a partnership with an advisory board, Preservation North Carolina, NC Division of Archives and History, Golden LEAF Foundation, the Town of Tarboro and Edgecombe County, ECC has become one of the leaders in the nation in historic preservation.

“It is one of only five in the nation that offer a degree in historic preservation, and the only one in the state,” Fleming said.

The first stride the school took toward educating more people on the subject was the day-long trade school at Coolmore Plantation in September, which offered classes in exterior painting, masonry and plaster repair, woodwork repair, window restoration, roofing and furniture refurnishing.

Fleming said 70 people attended the school from about a dozen different counties.

In October, the first certificate course in southern architecture was offered followed by brink masonry in November, decorative arts in February, window restoration in March, and historic roofing repair in May.

“This past weekend, we just finished up our fifth class,” Fleming said.

All of the classes have gotten a good turnout from people from many different areas, representing many different backgrounds.

“We have males, females, all ages coming out taking these classes,” Fleming said.

In February, the school received a $55,000 grant from Golden LEAF to use to continue offering these type of courses.

The courses were offered independently, but those who completed the 36 hours in coursework required will earn a certificate and will have a graduation ceremony in September.

Curriculum coursework will begin fall 2009, and will give people the opportunity to earn a degree in historic preservation after completing the required 76 hours in coursework.

The upcoming courses in the fall include carpentry, historic brick repair, decorative arts, southern architecture, and new course environmental sustainability.

“It is a hands-on degree. You’re going to get down and dirty,” Fleming said.