2025 Central Texas Regional Preservation Summit:
The Future of Historic and Cultural Districts

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

  • 8:15 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

    Evan Thompson, Executive Director, 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

  • 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. | TOOLS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCACY: SAN  MARCOS PANEL 

    TBD

  • 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

  • 2:45 p.m. | CLOSING REMARKS

Early Registration Is Now Open

Register by June 10, 2025 for an an early bird discount! See pricing below.

Member Registration: $45/ person

  • For current Preservation Texas members only. If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact hunick@preservationtexas.org. Price will increase to $55/ person after 06/10.

Non-Member Registration: $55/ person

  • Price will increase to $65/ person after 06/10.

Summit Sponsors

HARRY L. WILLETT FOUNDATION