• The National Preservation Summit From an Artist’s Perspective

    October 28, 2026

    This past September, preservationists gathered in Washington, D.C. for the National Preservation Summit to share ideas, build connections, and to come together to fight for the histories and the places that tell the full American story.

    While there are recordings of the session that you can watch, and recaps you can read, behind the scenes the day was captured visually using the talents of a graphic recorder named Yolanda Liman.

    Created in real time, this piece evokes the power of historic places and includes the words and wisdom shared by panelists throughout the day. It highlights the big themes and takeaways and can now be shared to spark inspiration as we carry those lessons forward into the fight before us.

    Explore Liman’s work below.

    A visual representation of a conference that uses illustrations of people, words, and banners to capture the mood of the day. The image depicts key phrases from the sessions along with an illustration of Washington National Cathedral in the top left corner.

    photo by: Yolanda Liman/Drawing it Out

  • Join us for Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill on September 24

    September 15, 2026

    U.S. Capitol Building

    photo by: Alison Hinchman

    U.S. Capitol Building in April 2026.

    On September 24, 2026, 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 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.

    Historic Preservation Advocacy Day Schedule
    September 24, 2026

    7:30–9:00 a.m. | Briefing Breakfast
    St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
    301 A Street SE, Washington, DC

    Start the day with fellow preservation advocates at our Briefing Breakfast, where we’ll get you fully prepared for a successful day on Capitol Hill. We’ll provide a quick overview of our advocacy priorities, share tips for effective congressional meetings, and answer any last-minute questions. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other attendees from your state, review details of your pre-scheduled meetings, and coordinate your plans for the day. When you’re ready, you can head directly to your first meetings from the breakfast.

    ➢ Good to know: Historic St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is just an 8–10 minute walk from the Congressional office buildings, making it a convenient starting point for your day.

    9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Meetings on Capitol Hill

    It’s time to take your message to Capitol Hill! Meet with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for policies that strengthen historic preservation nationwide.

    ➢ Scheduling tip: Be sure to build in time to travel between meetings and navigate the Hill. There are several eateries in the House and Senate Office Buildings where you can grab lunch with your state delegations and other advocates.

    5:00–7:30 p.m. | Congressional Reception
    Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 106

    Wrap up an exciting day of advocacy at our Congressional Reception, where advocates from across the country will come together with members of Congress, congressional staff, and preservation leaders. We’ll also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Trust Advisors!

    This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the collective impact of your advocacy, continue conversations from your meetings, and connect with fellow preservationists from across the country. We look forward to seeing you there!

All 2 updates

Senate Bill S. 5653 would limit a process that considers how federal projects affect historic places and make community consultation optional for many projects. Urge your senators to oppose the bill as written and demand meaningful changes to its provisions.

Send Letters