As a key center of global trade, Newport occupied a principal place in the American landscape in the 17th and 18th centuries. Indeed, the social and economic relationships emanating from Newport spread out, linking Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans and shaping the histories of millions of people throughout the colonial and into the early national period. Today, the legacy of this shared American past is materialized in buildings, furnishings, curated objects, and archaeological sites. The preservation and interpretation of these treasured resources poses challenges, but also provides many opportunities to connect professionals and the public and to improve our understanding of the “forgotten” experiences of groups whose voices are keenly absent in current histories.

The Noreen Stonor Drexel Cultural and Historic Preservation Program at Salve Regina University invites proposals for its annual conference, to be held Oct. 22-24, 2015 in Newport, RI. As the title suggests, the conference will focus on the preservation and interpretation of pre-1820 buildings, objects, and sites in the Americas. Papers in the fields of architecture, archaeology, material culture, museum studies, and preservation planning/policy are especially encouraged.

Proposals will be accepted for individual papers, complete panels and student lightning talks. The deadline to submit proposals is March 1, 2015. Notice of acceptance will be made on a rolling basis and no later than May 15, 2015.

This public conference will include presentations, tours, student lightning talks and networking opportunities. Historic Newport is home to the largest collection of colonial-era structures as well as the oldest lending library, synagogue and continuously operating tavern in the country. The conference is presented by Salve Regina University in partnership with the Newport Restoration Foundation.