Statewide Conference On Historic Preservation Returns To Las Vegas After 10-Year Hiatus

NMHPD News:

Known for its rich architectural heritage and cultural diversity, Las Vegas is an ideal setting for a statewide event that celebrates the past while charting a path for the future. Themed “Preserve Your Future by Building on Traditions,” this year’s conference, Oct. 3–5, will bring together professionals, civic leaders, and everyday advocates—people who believe that protecting cultural heritage strengthens our communities.

“Las Vegas is home to more than 900 historic buildings, each with a story to tell,” says Las Vegas Mayor David Romero. “From Victorian homes to adobe storefronts, our city is truly a living museum. I invite you to register today, explore our historic districts, and experience the culture and charm that makes Las Vegas so special.”

Workshops at the conference range from hands-on (and muddy) demonstrations of adobe building to personal tales of historic renovations, information about grants, preservation and protections for acequias, to the relationships between people and places, mentoring programs, site assessments, and more.

Michele Ensey is the State Historic Preservation Officer, and executive director of the Historic Preservation Division, one of the event’s sponsors. “[Preservation is] a process that involves collaboration with our many state and federal partners, nation, pueblos, tribes, and members of the public,” Ensey said. “This collaborative process works to preserve and protect our significant historic building structures and sites, as well as to honor the diverse stories, landscapes and lifeways that shape New Mexico.”

“Preserving place is preserving identity,” said Lawrence Quintana, a board member of Cornerstones Community Partnerships, another event sponsor, and executive director of the Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation in Las Vegas. “In our session “Awarding Preservation,” we’ll honor the people, stories and structures that hold our communities together. Join me in recognizing the legacy we inherited, and the future we’re building.”

Cornerstones has a mission to preserve the architectural heritage and cultural traditions of New Mexico and the greater Southwest while honoring culture heritage.

Through presentations, discussions, workshops, networking and tours, the conference will dive into pressing issues that touch every community in New Mexico, including:

• State resources and Tribal historic preservation offices; 
• Preservation law and policy
• Funding opportunities
• Technological changes
• Relevance and sustainability
• Affordable housing and gentrification
• Cultural preservation
• Case studies and how-to demonstrations
• “Small-t” tourism

Guided trolley tours will showcase the city’s nationally recognized landmarks such as the Plaza Hotel, Castañeda Hotel, the Railroad Avenue Historic District, as well as surrounding treasures like St. Vrain’s Mill in Mora.

“This year’s conference responds to challenges within allied fields such as rehabilitation of historic housing to help sustain community,” said Jake Barrow, executive director of Cornerstones Community Partnerships.

Founded in 1835, Las Vegas is a living preservation classroom. Its richness of historic buildings—constructed of adobe, quarried stone, timber and local brick—the city embodies the intersection of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo traditions. Its architectural wealth ranges from modest adobe homes to Victorian mansions.

“Las Vegas is the ideal venue,” Quintana said. “Our community depends on its unique mix of history and culture to imbue meaning and authenticity. Preservation here isn’t just about the past. It drives economic vitality, tourism and entrepreneurship.”

Since 1995 the N.M. Historic Preservation Conference has been a space for education, advocacy and inspiration. Past gatherings explored themes like “Preservation of the Night Sky,” “Protecting Rural Heritage,” and “Sustaining the Environment.”

Due to funding pressures, the conference was last held around 2014. In 2022, when the N.M. Heritage Preservation Alliance dissolved, its mission was entrusted to Cornerstones, a statewide leader in preservation since 1986. Together with the N.M. Historic Preservation Division, Cornerstones has revived the conference this year.

The return of this conference signals not just a revival of an event, but a recommitment to protecting the places and traditions that define New Mexico. In a time of federal funding cuts and rising development pressures, Viva Vegas ‘25 stands as a call to action: Preservation is not optional. It is essential for community resilience, cultural continuity, and economic vitality.

Registration for the conference is ongoing, with early-bird pricing running until Sept. 30 at $250 per person. Registration at the door will be $300.

Scholarships are available. Find out more by contacting [email protected] or visiting preservenewmexico.com. Or stop by the office of the Las Vegas, NM Community Foundation at 606 Douglas Ave. to apply in person. Contact LVNMCF at 505.434.0027.