Statewide Preservation Conference

Smart Preservation: Sustainable and Livable

Nashville, Tennessee

May 31 - June 2

Come celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Tennessee's first Statewide Preservation Conference! What began in 1962 by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities and the Tennessee Historical Commission, continues to be upheld by the Tennessee Preservation Trust. TPT is pleased to be able to offer several new events this year, including an Old House Fair and Historic Preservation 101 for Realtors. CAMP is being offered again as are educational sessions, tours, and the traditional Preservation Celebration. We can't wait to see you in Nashville!

Preservation Celebration

Thursday May 31, 4:30 pm

Tennessee State Museum

Kicking off the conference, we celebrate as Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, the Metro Historical Commission, and Historic Nashville, Inc. recognize outstanding efforts to preserve Nashville’s historic architecture. Join friends, colleagues, and award winners at the Tennessee State Museum and view the new exhibit commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812: Becoming the Volunteer State: Tennessee in the War of 1812. Enjoy local beverages and delicious appetizers while chatting with old friends and meeting new ones!

Conference Brochure

(Commissioner Assistance and Mentoring Program)

Thursday May 31, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

TPT is excited to be offering the National Alliance of Preservation Commission’s (NAPC) CAMP. CAMP is a one-day interactive training session for historic preservation commissions that will feature nationally renowned preservation experts and focus on fundamentals that every commission member and local preservation advocate should know. This training will arm your commission with progressive local regulation expertise and help you get on track toward the most effective protection of your local landmarks. CAMP is designed for new commissioners and staff and seasoned commissioners looking for a refresher course. AIA credits are available. And, like all camps, this one’s FUN!

Certified Local Governments
Certified Local Government (CLG) coordinators will have their yearly meeting during a working lunch at CAMP. One member from each CLG is qualified to attend CAMP for free. Please contact TPT or Dan Brown, CLG Coordinator at the Tennessee Historical Commission 615.532.1550x114, for more information.

Sustainability, Technical, & Civil War Interpretation and Preservation

As in years past, we are offering educational sessions that will prove both interesting and beneficial. Our Sustainability Track features information on how to make your historic home more energy efficient, both inside and out. The Technical Track highlights success stories from around the state and how to achieve the same success. To commemorate the sesquicenntenial of the Civil War, specialists in the field will convene at Fort Negley and The Nashville City Cemetery for a hands on look at the preservation and interpretation of Civil War sites.

Participants are welcome to mix and match tracks and are not required to stay in the same track for the entire day. The first two tracks will take place at Hotel Indigo, while the third will occur at Fort Negley.

A detailed agenda with times, presenters, and session descriptions will be mailed prior to the conference and will be available at the conference. Click here to see what is being offered this year and who is speaking!

Stay through Saturday and join us for the Old House Fair, a Civil War Tour, and the Downtown Nashville's Art Crawl!

Historic Preservation 101 for Realtors

Friday June 1st, 9am - 4pm

East End United Methodist Church, 1212 Holly Street

This day-long workshop is designed specifically for Tennessee Realtors and offers 6 hours of continuing education credits. Participants are not required to register for the full conference to attend this session.

It has been estimated that restoration's market share growth will exceed 80% of the entire U. S. construction economy in the near future. As the country begins to explore sustainability, both in terms of the economy and the environment, buying and selling existing buildings, rather than developable lots, will increasingly become any realtor's main bread-and-butter. Historic properties are valuable to potential buyers because of their existing infrastructure and in numerous other ways; such as stable property values; aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods; and materials, construction and design that cannot affordably be reproduced today.

Learn about historic designation and the additional value of historic properties; rules and regulations associated with historic zoning; common Tennessee architectural styles; how preservation is green and sustainable. In addition, the class will uncover myths about old buildings and teach valuable techniques for selling older buildings.

Old House Fair

Saturday June 2, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

Eastwood Christian, 1601 Eastland Avenue 

TPT is excited to feature a new component—a day long Old House Fair on June 2, 9am-3pm at the Eastwood Christian Church at 1601 Eastland Avenue.  The OHF is open to everyone, not just conference attendees.  No need to register in advance, just show your registration badge for entrance.  $10 tickets will be available on site for non-conference registrants.  The Fair will include vendors and crafts persons who offer services and products specifically for owners of old homes.  The event will feature three presentations by Bob Yapp, the former host of the PBS series, “About Your House.”  Yapp will talk on the following topics:

Old Windows Aren’t a Pane—They’re a Goldmine

 How to Hire and Work with Contractors

Energy Efficiency for Old Houses & Buildings

Civil War Tours

Saturday, June 2nd - Buses will pick-up at Fort Negley at 9:00 am.

Battle of Nashville Tour

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Premier Sponsor

Tennessee Historical Commission

Supporting Sponsors

Exhibitor Sponsors

Break Sponsors