When we last gathered in Detroit in 2016, the city had just been named the first UNESCO “City of Design” in the United States. That same year marked milestone anniversaries: 50 years of the National Historic Preservation Act, 100 years of the National Park Service, and the MHPN’s 35th. It was a time of momentum and optimism.

Now, as we return a decade later to launch MHPN’s 45th anniversary, we find ourselves in a far more uncertain climate. Across the country, historic preservation faces serious threats—from the potential loss of the Federal Historic Preservation Fund, which supports critical staffing and grants, to the weakening of historic environmental protections and the sale of historic federal buildings. These changes risk halting projects, cancelling plans, and creating instability in both organizations and places large and small—especially in Michigan’s rural and historically marginalized communities.

And yet, this is exactly the moment to come together.

In Metro Detroit—home to more than 200 municipalities—we’ll explore not only the city’s design legacy, but also what will endure in the wider region’s distinctive architecture and preservation efforts in places like Southfield, Dearborn, and the Grosse Pointes. These communities, shaped by the anchor of Detroit, have developed their own uniquely diverse identities, increased their quality of life, and deepened their sense of place.

Across Michigan, preservation is deeply connected to economic development, resilience, and cultural identity. Asset mapping, local planning, and community storytelling are tools that help historic places survive and thrive through uncertainty—whether it’s climate change, market disruptions, or contested public memory.

This year’s theme, Resilient by Design, honors the power of preservation to protect what matters and to build a stronger, more adaptable future.

Meet you in the D.

*Organizers’ Note: There’s a reason why a “working title” is used as the conference is planned. Things change. When the 2026 theme was taking shape over a year ago using the theme “Enduring Distinction,” the challenges preservationists face today hadn’t surfaced. Now the climate is uncertain with funding being lost, programs being dismantled, and even the need to protect historic properties viewed with skepticism. While the conference will still celebrate the architectural distinction of Detroit and the many historic communities and neighborhoods in the Metro Area, we will focus on how we’re making ourselves and our projects more resilient in the face of serious threats. This is a conversation about endurance important throughout the state!