FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
How-To

Tailgate: Colby M. Broadwater III, College President

This retired army officer now leads the American College of the Building Arts, which trains the next generations of craftspeople.

By Aaron Fagan Issue 253 - Aug/Sept 2015
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Web Extra: Extended Tailgate Interview

I find the presence of a school like yours encouraging. How did it begin?

After Hurricane Hugo slammed into Charleston, S.C., in 1989, qualified artisans to work on the city’s historic structures were not available. City leaders and others were determined to do something, and that’s what led to this college. The skilled workers in this country are aging, and no one is replacing them.

If you go back two or three hundred years, the guild houses of the various trades were some of the finest buildings around. A hundred years ago, mass production and assembly lines took the glamour off that.

Our point of view is that some of that glamour needs to be restored. We all appreciate the beauty and long-lasting quality of fine old homes and craftsmanship, but if we don’t have a new generation of skilled artisans producing that work, there won’t be anything left to appreciate in the future. We’re trying to do our small part to ensure that the skills learned over thousands of years are maintained so that we can continue to build to those standards for people who demand it.

How have you engaged your community?

The iconic Charleston ironworker of the 20th century was a gentleman named Philip Simmons. Years ago, he wondered who would be there to repair his ironwork. In the early 1960s, he made the Christopher Gadsden House gate, which features a distinctive rattlesnake detail that was inspired by Gadsden’s design of the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag from the American Revolution. Our students are now restoring that gate, and it’s fitting that Simmons played a part in forming our school.

What’s the curriculum like?

Our students—about 50 at present—all have the same academic curriculum, and they major in one of six areas of building arts: ornamental ironwork, timber framing, carpentry, plasterwork, masonry, and stone carving. They study the hands-on skill for four years, which includes three summer internships that give them exposure to the business side of being a working craftsperson. This blending of an academic degree with the skills learned in the shops and laboratories brings their education to life.

Not only do students learn the art of preservation and construction, but they also learn the science of it. When they master both, they come out of here not only knowing what solution is appropriate for a particular building challenge and why, but also how to implement it.

The Compagnon system in France, which dates back to the Middle Ages, helped us develop the hands-on approach we use. It gave us a historically grounded way to meet the challenges of today. Its techniques are as applicable to new construction as they are to preservation.

Describe the typical ACBA student.

Our students tend to be a little bit older than the average college freshman, and they all have an artistic leaning. Some of them may not even know the full extent of that capacity, but it really comes out of them when they’re here. They have a deep commitment to learn how to make something that is lasting. That is the real draw.

Do your graduates go on to become home builders?

Most of our graduates are subcontracted for timber framing or to build components that will be used in homes. Some of them are employees, and some have started their own businesses. In each discipline, they have restored historic work, and they have produced what will someday be historic work worthy of preservation.

Is there an arc to the typical student experience?

With good training, people can do just about anything. With the education and training our students get here, they motivate themselves to get better by being exposed to these classic building materials and techniques. What we try to do is give them the skills and the opportunities to do that.

We forget that the recipe for cement was lost after the fall of the Roman Empire.

People forget that at least half of those alchemists in medieval Europe, who were said to be trying to make gold, were actually trying to make porcelain—they called it white gold. Somebody’s got to sustain those skills.

 

Recently there was a workshop here on scagliola, which involves making plaster that looks like marble. You could see these young men and women arrive at an understanding of how the marble formed through pressure and so on, and that the veining was caused by natural sediments being forced in different ways. Watching them re-create that out of plaster was amazing. It is almost a lost art.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Tall Deck on a Sloped Lot

When deck posts exceed what the prescriptive code tables allow, it's time to consult a structural engineer for post sizing and possible bracing.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • Beat the Heat: Cool Innovations
  • Scaled to Suit the Site
  • Materials Make a Midcentury Remodel
  • Modern Mountain Farmhouse

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: A Homemade Radiant Heat Floor Assembly
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Can a Pretty Good House Have a Fireplace?
  • Building a Detached Shop with Full Utilities and HVAC
  • Interior and Exterior Finishing Details for a 1950s Ranch-Style Home
View All

Architecture and Design

View All Architecture and Design Articles
  • Scaled to Suit the Site
  • Materials Make a Midcentury Remodel
  • Modern Mountain Farmhouse
View All Architecture and Design Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

You have 1 free article remaining.

Get complete site access, including thousands of videos, how-to tips, tool reviews, and design features.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data