Historic Preservation focuses on the maintenance, conservation, and interpretation of historic sites and structures, and on cultural resource management. Historic Preservation provides opportunities for students to gain a deeper and richer understanding of America's cultural and ethnic diversity and the ramifications of technological innovation and social change on the quality of life. Mary Washington College was one of the first academic institutions in America to establish an undergraduate curriculum in historic preservation and the first to establish an independent Department of Historic Preservation--now the largest undergraduate program of its kind in the nation. The department offers an interdisciplinary major that acquaints students with a broad range of activities, methods and theoretical perspectives. Students in the program may emphasize historic architecture, architectural conservation, folklore, archaeology, planning, or museum studies in their course work. Historic Preservation majors explore the theoretical, ethical, and philosophical issues that surround preservation practice. The acquisition of research and analytical skills is stressed and substantial fieldwork, laboratory, or research assignments are woven into most courses. The academic program of the department is strongly enhanced by the research, fieldwork, and public education programs of the UMW Center for Historic Preservation

The historic preservation program is also enhanced by the location of the College in Fredericksburg, a city with an exceptionally rich history. Intellectual and professional skills are developed through intensive hands-on involvement in preservation activities in the area, and opportunities exist for similar experiences abroad. Students have published the results of their research in a department journal, Virginia Sites and Structures , which is distributed throughout the Commonwealth. Students design and fabricate museum exhibits, carry out historical archaeology projects, and prepare diagnostic reports for local historic sites and structures. Students interact with the local community through the activities of the student organized Preservation Club.