After 15 years, the Preserve Wyoming Conference is returning to Casper from Thursday, September 17, through Saturday, September 19, 2026, bringing together people who share an interest in protecting the stories, structures and cultural places that help define Wyoming.

The biennial conference is hosted by the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office and the Casper Historic Preservation Commission. This year’s gathering will focus on sharing practical ideas, real-world examples and preservation strategies that communities can use long after the conference ends.

All major conference activities will take place at the Best Western Downtown Casper, located at 123 West E Street. The event will also feature industry professionals and vendors, creating opportunities for attendees to connect with others involved in historic preservation, community development and related fields.

The conference begins Thursday afternoon with registration opening at 3 p.m. The evening will continue with the Preserve Wyoming Opening Banquet and Awards, scheduled from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and hosted by former Wyoming Governor Mike Sullivan. The banquet will recognize preservation achievements from across the state and officially welcome attendees to the Casper gathering.

Friday’s programming will focus on the ways historic preservation can support community growth, economic development and the continued use of historic properties. Four sessions will explore different approaches to turning historic buildings into viable projects, connecting preservation with outdoor recreation and learning from preservation efforts in communities across Wyoming.

The day’s featured sessions include “Pathways to Preservation: Turning Historic Buildings into Funded Projects,” presented by Christina Hiegel, PE; “Preserve to Prosper: Connecting Historic Preservation and Outdoor Recreation in Wyoming,” led by Cheyenne Sterck; and a case study focused on the Laramie West Side Historic District with Megan McDonald.

Casper’s own Liz Becher will also lead a session examining the Old Yellowstone District 15 years later, offering an opportunity to consider how historic districts evolve and how preservation efforts can influence a community’s future.

Friday’s activities will extend beyond the conference room. At 5:30 p.m., the Casper Historic Preservation Commission will lead a guided architectural walking tour through the Casper Downtown Historic District, giving participants an opportunity to experience local history through the buildings and streets that have helped shape the city.

Saturday’s program will turn toward conversation and collaboration, including an “Ask the Experts” roundtable featuring representatives from several preservation organizations and professional groups. The discussion will give attendees an opportunity to ask questions, exchange ideas and learn from people working directly in the field.

The conference will conclude with a keynote luncheon beginning at noon, featuring Representative Trey Sherwood. Her presentation, titled “Pathways to Preservation,” will explore how Wyoming communities can share their stories and develop approaches to preservation through grassroots community involvement and legislative policy.

While the conference is designed for preservation professionals, commissioners, volunteers, students and local leaders, its broader message reaches beyond the preservation field. Historic places often serve as gathering points for communities, reminders of shared experiences and tangible connections to the people who came before.

By bringing people together to discuss what has worked, what remains challenging and what communities can do next, Preserve Wyoming aims to turn appreciation for the past into practical action for the future.

The Preserve Wyoming Conference takes place September 17–19 at the Best Western Downtown Casper. Those interested in attending can contact the conference organizers for registration information.

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Photo Credit: Courtesy of Alliance for Historic Wyoming