National Preservation Summit Updates
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National Preservation Summit, September 22-24, 2026
For more than 75 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has led the movement to save the places where America’s history happened, and to ensure that every chapter of that history continues to be told. Through protecting iconic sites, amplifying the full American story, building stronger communities, and investing in preservation’s future, the National Trust has become the nation’s most trusted voice for the places that define us. Now, on the occasion of the nation’s 250th anniversary, that work takes center stage.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation will host a National Preservation Summit on Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday September 23, at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., one of our nation’s most storied and spectacular venues.
This biennial event will bring together preservation trailblazers, national civic, community, and business leaders, and other influential voices from across the nation. 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. The National Preservation Summit will be followed by an advocacy day and reception on Capitol Hill on Thursday, September 24.
This is the National Trust’s premier gathering of the year and one of the most distinctive convening opportunities in Washington.
Preliminary Program
Celebrating Historic Places: Preservation Awards & Welcome Reception
The National Preservation Summit opens with an evening awards ceremony and reception at the Washington National Cathedral to honor champions driving preservation forward. A celebration of excellence, community, and commitment and the perfect launch to our high-impact programming, this event will be streamed live for virtual participants.
Activating Historic Places: National Summit
The heart of the National Preservation Summit is a full day of ideas, dialogue, and inspiration at the Washington National Cathedral. Programming will explore how historic places are meeting the needs of people today through creative adaptive building and home reuse, tax-credit rehabilitation, and energy-efficient retrofit opportunities, as well as innovative approaches to commemoration and public interpretation – all in ways that unite people towards a more just and humane world.
The National Preservation Summit will feature recognized leaders across preservation, policy, business, and the arts. Expect engaging panel discussions, inspiring “TED-style” talks, and thought-provoking programming. The full speaker and program schedule will be announced in the coming weeks and will include a networking breakfast and lunch for in-person attendees. This event will be streamed live for virtual participants.
Advocating for Historic Places: Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
In-person National Preservation Summit attendees are invited to take the energy of the two previous days to attend an advocacy day on Capitol Hill, where they will connect with their elected officials and discuss ways that preservation meets the needs of communities, and engages with the public through interpretation at historic places. The advocacy day will conclude with an awards presentation and reception.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The National Trust’s Preservation Summit is our new flagship event, offering an unparalleled opportunity to connect with a premier gathering of national leaders, decision makers, luminaries, and philanthropists who are shaping the future of America’s historic places. Sponsors gain meaningful visibility, access, and the chance to be part of a milestone moment in our nation’s 250th year.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities by reaching out to Ann McElwain, Chief Development Officer at amcelwain@savingplaces.org or Tabitha Almquist, Chief Impact Officer at talmquist@savingplaces.org.
This May, celebrate the historic sites, neighborhoods, and landmarks that tell the full American story—places that remind us of how far we've come and how far we still have to go.
Celebrate!