2025 Central Texas Regional Preservation Summit:

The Future of Historic and Cultural Districts in Texas

Tuesday, June 24th in San Marcos

Historic and cultural districts have long been a cornerstone of local preservation efforts, shaping how communities protect and celebrate their heritage. The 2025 Central Texas Regional Preservation Summit will take a broad look at the state of these districts, examining their origins, evolution, and effectiveness as a preservation strategy.

This one-day gathering will be held at the LBJ Museum of San Marcos (131 N Guadalupe St.) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Presentations will explore the challenges and successes of district-based preservation, with a focus on often-overlooked neighborhood types, including post-World War II working-class communities. 

Designed for preservation professionals, city staff, historic preservation commission volunteers, community organizers, and nonprofit advocates, this summit will provide valuable insights and tools to strengthen local preservation efforts. Through expert presentations, case studies, and interactive discussions, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how historic and cultural districts can continue to serve as vital tools for protecting and enhancing the character of Texas communities.

Summit Schedule

  • 8:30 a.m. | CHECK IN
    Coffee & breakfast pastries will be provided

  • 9:00 a.m. | WELCOME & CENTRAL TEXAS UPDATE
    Jesús Najar, Central Texas Program Officer, Preservation Texas

  • 9:15 a.m. | GRASSROOTS PRESERVATION: SAN ANTONIO'S CULTURAL HERITAGE DISTRICT PROGRAM
    Gloria Colom Braña, Ph.D., Cultural Historian, City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation

  • 10:15 a.m. | HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE: FLOOD MITIGATION IN HISTORIC ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
    Justin Newhart, Senior Scientist, Terracon
    AIA CES approved. AIA members receive 1 LU|HSW (in-person attendees only).

  • 11:15 a.m. | BEYOND THE NATIONAL REGISTER: FIRST STREET TO MAIN STREET
    Meredith Johnson, Texas Main Street Program Specialist, Texas Historical Commission

  • 12:00 p.m. | LUNCH
    Boxed lunches will be provided

  • 1:00 p.m. | CULTURAL CONTEXT AND NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION: SAN MARCOS CASE STUDIES FOR ALTERNATIVE DISTRICT-BASED STRATEGIES
    Dr. Ana Juárez, Associate Professor Emerita, Texas State University
    Ryan Patrick Perkin
    s, San Marcos Preservation Advocate
    Evan Thompson, Executive Director, Preservation Texas

  • 2:00 p.m. | RECOGNIZING WORKING-CLASS AND POST-WAR NEIGHBORHOODS AS HISTORIC  RESOURCES: ISSUES IN DOCUMENTING AND EVALUATING WORKING-CLASS HISTORIC DISTRICTS 
    Emily Payne, President & Architectural Historian, HHM & Associates
    Kristina Kupferschmid, Vice President & Architectural Historian, HHM & Associates
    Dr. Tara Dudley, Architectural Historian, HHM & Associates
    AIA CES approved. AIA members receive 1 LU|HSW (in-person attendees only).

  • 2:45 p.m. | CLOSING REMARKS

Registration

Registration is now closed.

Member In-Person Registration: $45/ person

Non-Member In-Person Registration: $55/ person

Member Virtual Registration: $25/ person

Non-Member Virtual Registration: $35/ person

Summit Sponsors

BILL & KATE JOHNSON

HARRY L. WILLETT FOUNDATION