Many MHP students spent the week before Thanksgiving break in Houston at the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Past Forward Conference. The conference, as the name implies, was not only focused on the preservation of the past but also on the future of preservation. Many talks revolved around the question of “What does the next 50 years of Preservation look like?” Some of the takeaways for the students were issues of inclusion and diversity in preservation and also a move towards looking at more than just buildings to focus on intangible aspects of culture, landscapes, and neighborhoods as well. Students were excited to see how different regions in the US were addressing preservation. Overall, students enjoyed this opportunity to learn, network, and enjoy all that Houston has to offer.
