2026 Annual Symposium: Shared Heritage, Shared Future:
Preservation, Stewardship, and the Next Generation
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
11:30 AM – Re-enactment of the first reading to the public of the Declaration of Independence. On Independence Square. Free. Not affiliated with our event, but attendees are encouraged to attend.
2:00 PM – Opening Remarks from the President – American Philosophical Society
Intangible Heritage as an Embedded Dimension of Place
Intangible cultural heritage—traditions, practices, and lived experiences—plays an increasingly important role in how places are understood and preserved. This session explores how intangible heritage is defined and applied in both U.S. and International contexts, with case studies highlighting evolving approaches to recognition, protection, and interpretation.
Monuments Toolkit Workshop – Limited Registration
This session introduces the Monuments Toolkit to community practitioners and stakeholders. Attendees will learn what the Toolkit is, understand its core frameworks and definitions, and discover how to implement it in their own communities. The workshop emphasizes theory-based learning and practical application to local contexts.
6:00 PM – Welcome Reception – Carpenters Hall
Free for all paid Symposium attendees.
Thursday, July 9 2026
9:30 AM – Keynote Remarks – W. Rick West
World Heritage in Transition: Conceptual Shifts and Implications
The definition of World Heritage continues to evolve, now encompassing new categories such as aerospace heritage, cultural routes, and sites shaped by climate change. This session examines how these shifts are influencing nominations, interpretation, and long-term stewardship.
Independence Hall: A Case Study in the Intangible Heritage of Place
Using Independence Hall and the President’s House site as a case study, this session explores how meaning, memory, and historical significance extend beyond the physical structure. Speakers will examine how intangible narratives are interpreted and shared with the public.
Shaping the Future of U.S. World Heritage: The U.S. Tentative List and Future World Heritage Sites
Focusing on both established and prospective sites, this session explores how the U.S. Tentative List functions as a pipeline for World Heritage nominations. Panelists will discuss sites currently on the list, as well as those in earlier stages of consideration, and will address policy considerations, gaps in representation, and the evolving framework guiding U.S. participation in the World Heritage program.
Preparing the Next Generation of Preservation Professionals
Preservation education is adapting to meet new demands across disciplines and regions. Speakers will share how programs, both academic and non-degree, are evolving and offer a global perspective on how the next generation is being prepared.
Transforming Histories: Creative Practice, Public History, and Community Memory
This session examines how creative practice and public history can transform the ways communities encounter difficult and contested histories. Panelists will share projects that reframe historic sites and cultural narratives through art, research, and collaboration, centering the voices of those most impacted. The conversation will focus on how community memory can guide more accountable forms of interpretation, engagement, and preservation.
Friday, July 10, 2026
9:30 AM: Keynote Remarks – Dr. Catherine Clinton
The Intangible Importance of Place
Places carry different meanings for different communities. Through case studies such as Taos Pueblo, Mt. Rainer , and other culturally significant sites, this session explores how those perspectives shape preservation, interpretation, and stewardship.
World Heritage Sites in Conflict Zones
Conflict and instability pose significant risks to cultural heritage. This session examines how sites are protected under these conditions, highlighting international strategies, advocacy actions, documentation efforts, and collaborative responses.
Lightning Talks
Graduate students present their work in a rapid-fire format, offering fresh perspectives and emerging ideas shaping the future of preservation.
Submission Details:
- Deadline: May 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST
- Submit via: https://forms.gle/NWjijHPe29a5FkNk6
- Required: 300-word abstract, speaker bio, contact information
- Notification: Acceptance decisions by June 1, 2026
Political Organization and World Heritage
The political aspects of U.S. involvement in World Heritage have been tumultuous over the past decade. This ever-changing situation has called for new and different political advocacy strategies. In this session, presenters will share what strategies have proven effective for recent and current World Heritage nominations, and attendees will collectively consider how to best advocate for the program as a whole within the U.S. in the short- and long-terms.
U.S. on the World Stage: What Happens Next?
As the U.S. redefines its role in international cultural organizations, this session looks at how groups such as ICOMOS, the Getty, and World Monuments Fund continue to advance global preservation efforts and where opportunities for leadership remain.