2026 conference Schedule

Check-in at registration to receive essential materials such as name badges, conference programs, and other relevant information. Fuel up for the day by enjoying breakfast and mingling with fellow conference attendees. 

Welcome to the 2026 New Jersey History and Historic Preservation Conference! Hear from local officials as they discuss the importance of preserving New Jersey's diverse historical sites and artifacts. Attendees will learn more about what to...

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Flooding poses one of the most significant and growing threats to New Jersey’s historic housing stock. As flood events intensify due to climate change, preservation professionals, local officials, and homeowners are increasingly faced with ...

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the James Library Building has housed the Museum of Early Trades  & Crafts since 1969. The Richardsonian Romanesque Revival building is a jewel box with polychromatic exterior sto...

In 2026, stewards of historic sites face shrinking budgets and a public discourse clouded by misinformation. As the 250th approaches, preservationists are revisiting 1976 to understand what worked–and what didn’t–for public engagement and h...

Historical reenactments are powerful tools for public engagement, but they require careful planning to ensure safety, accuracy, and meaningful interpretation. This panel session will explore the behind-the-scenes considerations that make su...

Recharge and network as you enjoy lunch with fellow conference attendees on the patio, at high top tables scattered throughout the marketplace, or in a classroom.  

This panel will explore – through the lens of archaeology – the past, present and future of “The Buildings,” the former estate of Revolutionary War General William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling. Owned by Somerset County and operate...

How do design guidelines help achieve successful preservation outcomes in New Jersey? This panel examines how Historic Design Guidelines work in real-world settings by comparing two very different examples at opposite ends of the Jersey sho...

Participants will learn about the Historic Property Reinvestment Program (HPRP) and how it has evolved since it first started taking applications in 2022.  The session will give attendees a general overview of what the Program is today...

Women have always been central to the making of New Jersey’s history, yet their lives, labor, and leadership remain underrepresented at many historic sites. The Revolutionary She brings together curators and site directors to explore p...

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, this dynamic panel led by PBS host and producer Darley Newman explores how New Jersey destinations can leverage heritage tourism to support preservation, economic impac...

In this session, attendees will learn about the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, the official Black history and heritage historical marker program administered through the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Depar...

In October 2025, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation that requires members of Historic Preservation Commissions (HPCs) to complete trainings to serve on the commissions. The new legislation highlights the importance of continuing educat...

New Jersey has correctly been called the Cockpit of the Revolution. Archaeology investigations are a powerful way to expand the narrative around the American Revolution, reexamine old stories, generate new information, and engage diverse pu...

Long before railroads became a viable transportation option, the completion of the Morris Canal gave New Jersey its first interstate transportation system. Iron-making settlements in the New Jersey Highlands grew into industrial towns, and ...

End the day with an informal networking event outside on the patio. Enjoy food and drinks as you connect with colleagues and meet new contacts in the industry.