Missouri Historic Preservation Symposium

MO DNR Environmental Newsroom

Published April 6th, 2026

Detected April 6th, 2026

Summary

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announces the third annual Missouri Historic Preservation symposium on May 13-14, 2026, in Joplin. The event, themed 'The Road Ahead: Fueling the Economy through Historic Preservation,' is presented by the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office and cosponsored by multiple local organizations. Advance registration is required by April 30, with fees of $25 for standard attendance and $10 for students.

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What changed

The Missouri State Historic Preservation Office has announced its third annual Historic Preservation Symposium, scheduled for May 13-14, 2026, in Joplin, Missouri. The symposium will cover topics including Historic Tax Credits, the National Register of Historic Places, the Certified Local Government Program, and historic preservation grants. This year marks the centennial celebration of Route 66, with a special traveling exhibit on Missouri's role in the Mother Road. The event features keynote speakers Jeff and Carolina Neal of Neal Group Construction, who have completed over 100 historic rehabilitation projects in southwest Missouri.

Those interested in attending must register by April 30, 2026. Registration fees are $25 for standard attendance and $10 for students, covering admission, breakfast, and lunch. The event takes place at the Schifferdecker and Zelleken homes on May 13 and at Missouri Southern State University campus on May 14. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

What to do next

Register by April 30, 2026 if planning to attend the symposium
Submit registration online at mostateparks.com/event/third-annual-missouri-preservation-symposium
Pay applicable registration fee ($25 standard or $10 student)

Source document (simplified)

Monday, April 6, 2026

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, APRIL 6, 2026 – The third annual Missouri Historic Preservation symposium is set for Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14, in Joplin. This year’s theme is “The Road Ahead: Fueling the Economy through Historic Preservation.” The event is presented by the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office and cosponsored by the city of Joplin, Downtown Joplin Alliance, Missouri Southern State University, the Joplin Historical Neighborhoods Museum, Missouri Preservation and Crossland Construction.

The program begins with an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Schifferdecker and Zelleken homes, 422 Sergeant Ave., Joplin. The following day’s activities, including the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the historic Buchanan Home as well as the symposium itself, take place on the Missouri Southern State University campus,.

Event keynote speakers are Jeff and Carolina Neal of Neal Group Construction in Joplin, who have completed over 100 historic rehabilitation projects in southwest Missouri. Other speakers include Marie Taylor of True North Preservation; Riley Price, executive director of Missouri Preservation; Thomas Walters with Joplin Historic Preservation Commission; Jill Halbach, executive director of the Post Art Library in Joplin; Lori Haun with Downtown Joplin Alliance; Dr. Sabine Martin of Kansas State University’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields program; and Heather Buethe with National Trust Community Investment Corporation. Several State Historic Preservation Office team members will speak about Historic Tax Credits, the National Register of Historic Places, the Certified Local Government Program and historic preservation grants.

The symposium will have two tracks: a Community Preservation Track and a Historic Tax Credits Track.

This year the symposium is also joining in the centennial celebration of Route 66. There will be a special traveling exhibit, “Missouri Main Street: 100 Years on Route 66,” on loan from the State Historical Society of Missouri. The exhibit showcases Missouri’s role in the Mother Road.

Space is limited, and advance registration is required by April 30. It can be submitted online by visiting mostateparks.com/event/third-annual-missouri-preservation-symposium.

There is a $25 standard registration fee and a $10 student registration fee. The fee covers admission to the symposium, breakfast provided courtesy of Crossland Construction and a catered lunch.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri’s Division of State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.