Preserve the Past, Build for the Future is a webinar series designed to introduce college students to historic preservation and related fields.

Register NOW for the 2024 series. Click the links of each webinar title to go to the registration page for that session.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 – 2 p.m. ET: So, You Want to Be a Preservationist? The umbrella of positions that fall under the field of historic preservation is wide and broad. This webinar will demonstrate the many different career paths within the field that speak to various interests.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 — 2 p.m. ET: Living History: The Past, Present, and Future of Historic Black Towns and Settlements. Historic Black towns and settlements are communities started by formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. They allowed Black communities the opportunities to purchase land, start businesses, attend schools, serve in elected positions, and foster a sense of community after hundreds of years of enslavement. Many of these historic towns and settlements were violently destroyed by white supremacists during the Jim Crow era. Some scholars argue that up to 1,200 Black towns and settlements were established between the 19th and 20th centuries. Approximately 30 communities continue to exist today. Historic preservation practitioners and other professionals are working to document the histories of these communities and preserve their legacies for generations to come.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 — 2 p.m. ET: History in Danger: Community-Led Responses to Preserving AAPI Heritage Sites. Many of the historic sites and spaces that are significant to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are underrepresented when it comes to official recognition. Less than 3 percent of the official sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places are associated with AAPI history. Preservation practitioners around the country are advocating for the preservation of sites that represent the culture and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. At a time when many historic Chinatowns are at-risk of erasure from encroaching development and gentrification, professionals and community members are working together to preserve their heritage for future generations.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 — 2 p.m. ET: Traditional Trades Careers in Historic Preservation. The traditional trades field is a great career option for students looking for hands-on engagement within historic preservation. The traditional trades is a diverse field that includes managing, documenting, restoring, and adapting historic structures. From the private sector to government agencies, employers are looking for those with specialized skills to preserve our built heritage.  

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 — 2 p.m. ET: Disappearing Indigenous Heritage: Climate Change and Community Displacement. Climate change is actively threatening communities around the United States. Sea level rise, coastal erosion, and increased wildfires are displacing entire communities and the cultural landscapes they leave behind. Many of the areas at-risk of displacement are made up of marginalized communities, further compounding systemic inequality. Preservationists and cultural resource specialists are responding to this displacement and loss of cultural heritage by partnering with communities to discuss ways to preserve their heritage while providing alternatives for their communities’ futures.