Admission is free, but registration is required. Register now to reserve your spot.
RegisterFor more than 75 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has led the movement to save the places where America’s history happened—protecting iconic sites, amplifying the full American story, and building stronger communities rooted in our history. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, this mission has never been more urgent.
We work nationwide with partners, friends, and champions to steward, advocate for, and revitalize the places and stories that shape our shared future. Through this work, we help drive economic growth, foster healthier environments, and strengthen a shared sense of civic duty and belonging.
This National Preservation Summit will bring together leaders from the preservation community—in-person and online—alongside national, civic, business, and community figures from across the nation. With a theme of All People Are Created Equal, this convening will explore community revitalization, the interpretation of the past to foster a shared future, and unity through historic places.
Together, they will celebrate the enduring power of historic places, engage with the founding principles that shape our democracy, and chart a bold course for preservation’s next chapter. During our nation’s 250th anniversary year, this event honors innovative preservationists and invites leaders across the country to carry forward a legacy rooted in America’s most enduring ideals.
On Tuesday, September 22nd we will gather at the Washington National Cathedral at 5:00 pm–7:30 pm to celebrate the best in preservation. The awards ceremony will be livestreamed.
The National Preservation Summit opens with an evening reception and presentation of the National Trust’s annual awards including the prestigious Driehaus and Crowninshield awards. The awards ceremony will be livestreamed.
On Wednesday, September 23, the Summit programming begins at the Washington National Cathedral with breakfast and networking at 8:30 am and the day concludes at 4:00 pm. All sessions will be livestreamed.
The summit will take place in the extraordinary Washington National Cathedral, with welcoming remarks from Brent Leggs, the 11th President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, preserving the full story of our shared past will be essential to building a brighter future. Leggs’s remarks will ground the summit proceedings in the power of place, stewardship, and partnerships to shape our civic landscape.
This engaging discussion will feature a conversation with members of Congress about their essential role in creating and advancing innovative, bipartisan policies grounded in the nation’s democratic ideals and that harness the power of historic preservation to meet the evolving needs of the public.
Historic places serve as reminders of the past and are catalysts for stronger, more resilient communities and open pathways to greater economic opportunity. Through short talks, preservation thought leaders will explore how preservation tools such as tax credits, adaptive reuse, energy efficiency, and landscape conservation can help communities thrive while reinforcing the values of dignity, access, and shared prosperity.
In this thought-provoking conversation, Sarah Lewis, acclaimed author, scholar, and founder of Vision & Justice, joins Sherrilyn Ifill, renowned civil rights lawyer, legal scholar, and founding director of Howard University School of Law’s 14th Amendment Center for Law & Democracy, to explore the vital role of history, memory, and place in shaping our inspired and inclusive future. Drawing on their groundbreaking work at the intersections of history, race, democracy, law, and culture, Lewis and Ifill will discuss how historic sites and cultural institutions can expand public understanding of the nation’s past, elevate overlooked stories, and create opportunities for dialogue, reflection, and repair.
As we continue to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Founding Era, this session explores how historic places—through commemoration, public interpretation, and civic engagement—serve as powerful platforms for connecting past to present. Through short talks, preservation thought leaders will show how these spaces and their stories illuminate both the promise and the unfinished work of securing recognition, celebration, and respect for the humanity of all Americans past, present, and future.
Historic places are essential touchstones that help us understand who we are, where we have been, and what kind of future we hope to build. Join us for an inspiring session on the enduring importance of place in shaping both individual lives and the broader American story. We will be announcing very soon nationally known speakers who will help us explore how historic places foster belonging, strengthen civic life, and serve as catalysts for stewardship and investment in the future.
Hear from Brent Leggs, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as he shares inspiration and encouragement on how we can nurture the connections built during this National Preservation Summit and continue to move forward as a preservation movement, together.
Can’t attend the full Summit in-person? No problem—register for Advocacy Day only. Virtual attendees also have the option to participate in Advocacy Day in-person.
The National Preservation Summit is followed with a day of action on Capitol Hill— where attendees will meet directly with members of Congress and their staff to make the case for preservation as essential infrastructure for American communities. The day concludes with a closing reception historic preservation leadership and advocacy.
This is a unique opportunity to meet with decisionmakers at a critical time to advocate for preservation policy priorities. If you’re new to advocacy or Capitol Hill, don’t get overwhelmed! Members of the National Trust’s Government Relations team will equip you with resources, tips, and talking points to make the most of your meetings.
This is your chance to make your voice heard. Share the impact of your preservation work, highlight the needs of your community, and help get the support you need to continue making a difference.
The National Trust’s flagship event brings together the national leaders, decision makers, and philanthropists actively shaping the future of America’s historic places. Sponsorship at the National Preservation Summit offers national visibility through the National Trust’s network. Custom packages start at $5,000, including recognition at the Summit and other benefits. Learn more about sponsorship opportunties.
Join us in Washington, D.C. or online to learn and be inspired. Admission is free, but registration is required. Register now to reserve your spot!
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