2011 National Preservation Conference

Preservation Buffalo Niagara is delighted to be the local host organization of the National Preservation Conference.  As proclaimed on a front page article in the Buffalo News, It's Showtime, Buffalo!  The conference officially starts on Wednesday, October 19,with some activities starting as early as Monday, and officially ends on Saturday, October 22.   

WELCOME all registrants!   We hope your visit to Buffalo and Western New York will be an extraordinary one.  We are very proud that you are coming from all 50 states, three Canadian provences, Guam, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

This Conference also welcomes all that live here.  The Calendar on this page or via this link lists the Conference Community Calendar, activities that both registrants and the public can attend.  It focuses on the nine days between Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 23.  PBN created this Public Guide for Conference Week activity.  PDFs of events, tours and exhibits are also available.

Many extraordinary tours, events and exhibits have been planned.  There may never be a better time to be a visitor to Buffalo if you have an interested in architecture, historic sites and historic preservation. 

For New York State residents, a workshop has been organized on how preservation works in the state.  This workshop is open to the public.

For registrant-only events, please consult the National Trust Conference web page.

 Make a donation to the 2011 National Preservation Conference below:

For all the organizations and the hundreds of volunteers that have worked so hard to make this conference a success, THANK YOU!   You have organized an exceptional variety of field sessions, affinity activities and events.  Your efforts during conference week will also be of great importance.  A special thanks goes to the Conference Co-chairs Catherine Schweitzer and Bob Skerker for their exceptional work over many years.  For volunteer information, please go to this web page. 

Background  

The National Trust's July - August issue of Preservation Magazine features Buffalo on the cover and is titled Buffalo Rising.  The article, Reinventing Buffalo, is much more impressive in the magazine itself, with the Guaranty Building on the cover and more full-color photos. Copies of the magazine have been placed in all Erie County libraries.

Filmmakers from the National Trust have completed shooting for Buffalo Unscripted, a documentary featuring Buffalonians, current and ex-pats, talking about the Queen City. Stay tuned for more information about the premiere screening of Buffalo Unscripted on the big screen Friday, October 21st!

The Visit Buffalo Niagara film, Buffalo - This Place Matters, premiered at the Austin National Preservation Conference, has now been seen around the world via You Tube. 

The Origin of the Conference

In 2006 the Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Visit Buffalo Niagara) started exploring the possibility of bringing the National Preservation Conference to Buffalo.  This goal enabled preservation, civic, and foundation leaders to work together in a new way, culminating in a very successful dinner (June 2007) where 430 people welcomed National Trust president, Dick Moe, to Buffalo for the first time.   According to conference co-chair Catherine Schweitzer, “That spirit was infectious and Dick carried our enthusiasm back to DC.” The official selection came in 2007 based on a proposal that was substantially enhanced by the support of the Oishei, Wendt and Baird Foundations.  “These foundations helped seal the deal, ensuring that the bid would be seriously considered” noted Ms. Schweitzer.

Below:  Public Meeting at the Albright Knox Art Gallery July 7, 2010 -- almost 300 people attended, facilitated by National Trust staff. Buffalo News Article