Inspiration. Ideas. Solutions. Connections.
The fifth annual Historic New England Summit convenes bold conversations on how twenty-first-century challenges and opportunities are reshaping preservation and the cultural landscape. Join regional and national leaders for keynote presentations, panels, provocations, and meaningful connection across the field. The Summit takes place November 12 and 13 at The Cabot in Beverly, Massachusetts, with special programming on November 11 and 14 at the Historic New England Center in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Can’t make it in person? Join us via livestream.
2026 SUMMIT THEMES INCLUDE:
- Civic Engagement
- Cultural Connection
- Authenticity
- Equity and Inclusion
- Climate Action
- Housing Affordability
- Transformative Technology
Why the Summit?
Because we’re in this together and we can make a difference. The collaborative opportunities to advance our cause are enormous and the Summit is an opportunity to bring our voices together. Our cities’ and towns’ historic districts, and our landscapes, parks, and museums are all here to tell important stories – authentically, inclusively, and innovatively. In the twenty first-century, historic preservation can lead in reimagining our communities to deliver new stories, experiences, and opportunities, and take on even more public-facing and civically engaged purposes. Preservation integrates the past with the present, and it informs the future by creating better places to live and work. Historic communities are resilient, with depth, pride, vitality, and connectedness, all of which attract investment.
The Historic New England Summit:
- Is inclusive, encouraging participation from a broad and diverse audience, both in person and virtually
- Brings together preservationists, conservationists, educators, civic and municipal leaders, urban planners, arts and culture organizations, philanthropists, community advocates, engaged citizens, and students in open dialogue
- Encourages debate on timely issues and topics that are relevant to building resilient and livable urban, suburban, and rural communities across New England
- Addresses topics that resonate nationally and globally
- Helps transform preservation into an accessible and essential ethic in community sustainability, livability, and resilience
- Inspires public-private and transdisciplinary partnerships
About Historic New England
Historic New England—founded as the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities in 1910—is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive independent preservation organization in the United States. Historic New England welcomes the public to thirty-eight exceptional museums and landscapes, including several coastal farms. The organization operates a major collections and archives center in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a reading room in downtown Boston, and has the world’s largest collection of New England artifacts, comprising more than 125,000 decorative arts and objects and 1.5 million archival documents including photographs, architectural drawings, manuscripts, and ephemera. Engaging education programs for youth, adults, and preservation professionals, and award-winning exhibitions and publications are offered in person and virtually. The Historic New England Preservation Easement program is a national leader and protects more than 128 privately owned historic properties throughout the region.
