08/14/2026
Preservationists from Across the Country to Convene in Washington, DC
National Preservation Partners Network hosts its 2026 Fall Convening and National Preservation Easement Summit, September 24–26
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN) will bring historic preservation leaders, advocates, and preservation easement professionals from across the country to Washington, DC, this September for two connected events: the 2026 Fall Convening and the 2026 National Preservation Easement Summit, taking place September 24–26 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G Street NW.
Both gatherings are presented in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Preservation Summit, giving attendees the rare opportunity to advocate, learn, and network alongside hundreds of fellow preservationists in the nation’s capital during a single trip.
Fall Convening: Advocacy Meets Community:
The Fall Convening opens Thursday, September 24, with a full day of advocacy on Capitol Hill, presented in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Action. Attendees will meet directly with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for historic preservation as essential for American communities, supported by briefings, talking points, and guidance from the National Trust’s Government Relations team. The day concludes with a joint reception on Capitol Hill.
On Friday, September 25, programming shifts to First Congregational United Church of Christ for a full day of sessions developed by NPPN members and led by leaders from across the field, including:
● Hot Topics in Preservation Law, including Section 106, with Cultural Heritage Partners
● Membership & Annual Giving Campaigns with Barbara O’Reilly of Windmill Hill Consulting
● Preservation’s Role in Solving the Housing Crisis, a panel with Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics and Lauren McHale of The L’Enfant Trust
● Local Advocacy Programs with Rebecca Miller of the DC Preservation League
● A spotlight on the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund with Nakita Reed
● A tour of the recently renovated Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, a 1972 Mies van der Rohe building
A guided walking tour of Lafayette Square — including Lafayette Park, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the recently renovated St. John’s Church, Decatur House, and The Octagon — will be offered Saturday, September 26, hosted by Washington Walks.
National Preservation Easement Summit: Specialized Training for Easement Professionals:
Running alongside the Fall Convening, the National Preservation Easement Summit brings together colleagues from organizations that hold and manage preservation easements — or are looking to start an easement program — for two full days of specialized programming, September 24–25. Made possible through the generous sponsorship of GBX Group, the Summit connects attendees with national experts and peers on topics including:
● The latest proposed legislation affecting preservation easements, straight from the Hill
● Funding and marketing an easement program
● Best practices for managing easement portfolios and handling violations
● Baseline documentation and data management
● An Easement Roundtable for attendees to bring challenges to discuss with peers
● 3-Minute Success Stories and visits to local easement-protected properties
Summit attendees will also join the Thursday evening reception on Capitol Hill and the Friday evening meet-up, and are welcome to join the optional Saturday tour of Lafayette Square.
Registration
Early Bird pricing for each event is available through September 11: $250 for NPPN members and $300 for non-members. After September 11, pricing increases to $300 for members and $350 for non-members. Attendees are responsible for their own accommodations; the venue is within easy walking distance of the Metro Center and Chinatown/Gallery Place Metro stops.
Learn more about both events here: https://prespartners.org/retreats/
Register online at weblink.donorperfect.com/NPPNFall2026.
About the National Preservation Partners Network
The National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN) connects local, regional, statewide and national preservation organizations across the country, helping members learn from one another, adapt proven tools to new contexts, and build collaborative capacity for impact at the local, regional, and national levels. Connected for what’s next in preservation, NPPN is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee.
MEDIA CONTACT
Kim Trent
National Preservation Partners Network
[email protected] | 781-491-2082
www.prespartners.org
# # #
