Inspiration. Ideas. Solutions. Connections.
The annual Historic New England Summit presents two days of exciting conversations that explore how twenty first-century challenges and opportunities are transforming the fields of historic preservation, architecture, urban planning, conservation, arts and culture, museum studies, collections management, public history, and education. The program includes keynote presentations by regional and national leaders, panel discussions, provocations, networking opportunities, and more. Join us November 13 and 14 at the historic Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. Can’t make it to New Haven? Join us via livestream!
2025 SUMMIT THEMES INCLUDE:
- CIVIC ACTION
- AUTHENTICITY & ACCESS
- CULTURE BUILDING
- CLIMATE RESILIENCY
- PRESERVATION AS TRANSFORMATION
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 in 1910 as the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, is a leading history and historic preservation organization. As one of the most comprehensive independent preservation organizations in the United States, it welcomes the public to thirty-eight exceptional museums and landscapes. It also operates a collections and archives center in Haverhill, MA, housing the world’s largest collection of New England artifacts—over 125,000 decorative arts and objects and 1.5 million archival documents such as photographs, architectural drawings, manuscripts, and ephemera. The organization provides engaging education programs, award-winning exhibitions and publications, and virtual and in-person events. Its nationally recognized Preservation Easement program protects more than 125 privately owned historic properties across the region.
