Name: Missouri Historic Preservation Symposium
Start: 2026-05-13T18:30:00-05:00
Location: Missouri Southern State University

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.
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.
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. Space is limited, and advance registration is required by April 30. For more information and to register, visit mostateparks.com/event/third-annual-missouri-preservation-symposium.