Symposium - World Heritage USA

Affirming Cultural Identity: World Heritage in the 21st Century

Join ICOMOS-USA, World Heritage USA, and partners in San Antonio, Texas, 1-3 November 2023, as we explore and celebrate the cultural identities that make up our shared heritage.

Our Symposium and Conference will feature two themes: 1) the World Heritage nomination process and leveraging World Heritage Sites for economic and social prosperity, and 2) Indigenous and Transboundary cultural traditions and partnerships. Our time in San Antonio will include tours of the World Heritage Site Missions and their neighborhoods along with extended discussions of Indigenous heritage, monuments of oppression, the International Underground Railroad, tourism, and the opportunities associated with World Heritage Sites. We’ll conclude our time in San Antonio with the 2023 Gala Celebration of World Heritage, a festive dinner fundraiser at the El Camino de San Antonio Missions Center. Please join us for this exciting 3-day event.

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Preliminary Agenda

Wednesday, 1 November 2023

Arrive in San Antonio by late afternoon
6 pm Opening Reception at the Alamo, hosted and sponsored by the Alamo Trust on the grounds of the Alamo with Living History actors providing historic stories for attendees

Thursday, 2 November 2023

Symposium sessions will take place at the University of Texas San Antonio’s downtown campus (501 W César E Chávez Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78207)

8 am – 12 pm: Symposium
- Plenary Session with Keynote Speaker
- Concurrent Sessions (Choose one)
  - World Heritage and U.S. Cities
    - There are 25 World Heritage sites in the United States, all but a handful are located in urban settings. World Heritage sites in metropolitan areas pose challenges and opportunities. This session will discuss the hurdles faced by some key sites, as well as the opportunity for leveraging World Heritage sites for economic and social prosperity.
  - Collaboration with U.S. and Mexico ICOMOS
    - Participants in this collaborative workshop will discuss: 1) Future binational transborder World Heritage Site nominations; 2) A joint recovery campaign for areas impacted by the U.S. border wall; 3) An analysis of social justice protests and monuments removal; 4) The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom stories of freedom; 5) Engaging traditionally-associated tribes with co-stewardship; and 6) Co-stewardship with native tribes.
2 – 5 pm: Tours
- Dia de los Muertos/Historic La Villita, 2 – 3:30 pm (Free). Historic La Villita Village is one of San Antonio’s oldest neighborhoods. Located steps from the Alamo, this village was settled by people associated with Mission San Antonio de Valero and likely dates to prior to 1722s. Today, after restoration championed by the San Antonio Conservation Society, the village continues to serve San Antonio as a destination for cultural events and heritage tourism. This walking tour, guided by Vincent Michael of the San Antonio Conservation Society, will provide you with the history of the village and its role in San Antonio’s cultural life. As you tour, you’ll be able to view the Dia de los Muertos celebration exhibit which spans the historic village and learn about the findings from recent archaeological digs.

- San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site Tour, 2 – 6 pm ($60). Bus tour to the four (4) missions within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park including the mission grounds and interiors of the four active churches. Participants will learn the complex interwoven story of the San Antonio Missions from the National Park Service, the American Indians in Texas Spanish Colonial Missions, the San Antonio Archdiocese, and a masonry conservator. Note: the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a fee free park and can be visited independently of this tour for no cost.

Friday, 3 November 2023

8 am – 12 pm: Symposium
- Plenary Session with Keynote Speaker
- Concurrent Sessions (Choose one)
  - Recognizing the Indigenous cultural values in natural area World Heritage Sites
  - Understanding and utilizing the World Heritage nomination criteria and process
2 – 5 pm: Tours
- Alamo Tour, 2 – 3:30 pm (free) An archaeological and conservation tour of the Alamo. Everyone has head the story of the Alamo, this tour incorporates that story through the perspective of recent archeological findings and the meticulous work to conserve the over 300 year old structure.
- Taco Tour 1 – 4:30 pm ($75) San Antonio leveraged its UNESCO World Heritage Status to achieve recognition as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. This tour will take you to a variety of restaurants, guided by one of San Antonio’s Taco experts, to taste test tacos and learn about their history.
- San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site Tour, 2 – 6 pm ($60). Bus tour to the four (4) missions within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park including the mission grounds and interiors of the four active churches. Participants will learn the complex interwoven story of the San Antonio Missions from the National Park Service, the American Indians in Texas Spanish Colonial Missions, the San Antonio Archdiocese, and a masonry conservator. Note: the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a fee free park and can be visited independently of this tour for no cost.

6 pm: Gala Celebration of World Heritage at at the El Camino de San Antonio Missions Center

Discounted Member pricing for the entire event, including the Celebration, is available for $500. If you’re not already a member, join here!

Non-member pricing for the entire event is $670. Symposium only pricing is also available. Register below.

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit and learn from a city that is making the most of its World Heritage status!

Please note that a link to register for paid tours will appear on the confirmation page of your Symposium registration.

BECOME A SPONSOR

Lodging Options

There are a number of hotel, AirBNB, and lodging options in and around downtown San Antonio. Below is a list of the top recommended accommodations from our San Antonio partners. These recommendations are listed in order of distance from the UTSA Downtown Campus (501 W César E Chávez Blvd) where our Symposium will take place. Please click on the name to book your lodging.

Double Tree Hilton – 0.2 miles from UTSA

Brackenridge House – 1 mile from UTSA

Noble Inns – 1 mile from UTSA

Omni La Mansion Del Rio – 1 mile from UTSA

The Fairmount – 1.1 miles from UTSA

The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio – 1.1 miles from UTSA

The Emily Morgan Hotel – 1.3 miles from UTSA

El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel – 1.5 miles from UTSA

Menger Hotel – 1.8 miles from UTSA

O’Casey’s Boutique Inn – 2.6 miles from UTSA

1908 Ayres Inn Bed & Breakfast – 2.7 miles from UTSA

Additional attractions

If you plan to spend more time in San Antonio, please consider the following attractions recommended by our partners:

San Antonio River Mission Reach

The San Antonio Mission Reach is a beautiful ecological way. This can be accessed on foot or by 13 mile bike ride.

San Antonio River Boat Tours

Tour downtown San Antonio and the Museum Reach of the San Antonio river on this iconic boat ride.

Legacy Business Tour

Downtown is home to some of San Antonio’s oldest businesses—this self guided walking tour will take you to restaurants, milliners, and bars that give San Antonio that authentic feel.