PastForward National Preservation Conference
Join Us in Milwaukee!
Celebrate the power of place and join fellow preservationists and preservation lovers at the nation’s premier conference for those who work to save, sustain, and interpret historic places – PastForward 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 16-18, 2025!
Sign up to receive updates on the conference and we’ll let you know when more details are available.
Connect with a broad, diverse range of colleagues from across the country, engage with vibrant historic places, share successes and challenges, and generate ideas and solutions for the preservation movement and the various communities we serve.
Location
The PastForward 2025 conference will be at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203. All events take place here unless otherwise noted. Hotel Rates: $189 with limited government rooms available at $129.
At a Glance
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Event |
| Monday, September 15 | 3:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Advisors Meeting and Advisor Field Study |
| 5:00 PM | 6:30 PM | Diversity Scholars and Advisors Reception | |
| Tuesday, September 16 | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | 10:15 AM | Morning Welcome and Preservation Awards | |
| 10:30 AM | 11:30 AM | Education Sessions | |
| 10:30 AM | 3:30 PM | Field Studies | |
| 11:30 AM | 1:00 PM | Lunch On Your Own | |
| 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM | Education Sessions | |
| 4:00 PM | 7:30 PM | Plenary and PastForward Reception @ Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra | |
| Wednesday, September 17 | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM | Morning General Session | |
| 10:00 AM | 5:30 PM | Field Studies | |
| 10:15 AM | 11:30 AM | Education Sessions | |
| 11:30 AM | 1:00 PM | Lunch On Your Own | |
| 1:00 PM | 3:45 PM | Education Sessions | |
| 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM | Special Lecture: Milwaukee Preservation Through Beer | |
| Thursday, September 18 | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM | Morning General Session | |
| 10:00 AM | 5:00 PM | Field Studies | |
| 10:15 AM | 11:30 AM | Education Sessions | |
| Noon | 1:30 PM | Closing General Session |
Saving Places for 75 Years
PastForward 2025 will wrap up a year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the innovative practice of preservation in a truly unique American city.
Focus on Innovation
This year the conference will explore cutting-edge innovation, ground-breaking creativity, and experimentation transforming preservation for the future. Speakers and sessions will showcase how preservation revitalizes communities, spurs economic development, nurtures a healthier environment, and fosters a stronger, shared sense of civic duty and belonging.
The conference will specifically address innovations in the following important areas:
- A climate-friendly, community-driven repurposing of older buildings that energizes disinvested neighborhoods and supports healthy communities.
- A reimagined commemorative landscape that honors the achievements, contributions, stories, and cultural heritage of all Americans.
- An invigorated public sphere where meaningful places serve as catalysts for civic engagement across all demographics.
Diversity in Preservation Scholarship Program
The Diversity in Preservation Scholarship Program provides support for attendance to PastForward. Applications for 2025 are due April 25, 2025.
Sponsor PastForward
Learn more about partner opportunities at PastForward and beyond by reaching out to Chehana Samarawickreme, Associate Director of Corporate Relations, at csamarawickreme@savingplaces.org.
Code of Conduct
The National Trust wants to ensure that PastForward is a fulfilling experience for all. Accordingly, all PastForward attendees are expected to follow the Code of Conduct, which applies at all PastForward in-person and virtual events, sessions, discussion groups, and related online forums. We expect cooperation from all attendees, staff, speakers, and other participants to help ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all.
Join us in protecting and restoring places where significant African American history happened.
Learn More