Join us for our monthly meeting via Zoom as we discuss APT DC business and plan for upcoming events!

Historic buildings throughout the greater Washington region often incorporate structural framing systems and exterior wall assemblies that are unfamiliar to today’s building design and construction professionals. Such systems present unique challenges when considering proper building maintenance, proposed alterations, and system performance. This presentation will discuss several of the common archaic structural systems that are often encountered in the greater DC region. The speakers will discuss how the archaic system works, what typical problems are encountered, and how the system can be altered or repaired to accommodate renovations and improvements. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Please RSVP by Monday, 17 August 2026.

One (1) AIA HSW Credit is available. 

APT DC is pleased to announce a call for submissions for an exhibition of works of art as part of our 2026 annual symposium. We invite submissions of original works of visual art that highlight the remarkable historic resources in our region.

While the theme of the symposium is Adaptive Reuse: Policy In Practice, the works of art are not required to conform to this theme, although this is encouraged.

At a minimum, they should represent a historic site in the APT DC region, which is defined by Washington, DC; all of Virginia; all of Maryland; all of West Virginia, and Sussex County, DE.

Suggestions for how to highlight the historic sites include:

• Materiality
• Historical Significance
• Hidden History
• Monumentality
• Regionality
• Conveys the aesthetic qualities of a place

Theme: Historic Sites of the APT DC Region

Submission Deadline: August 21, 2026

Show Date: September 11, 2026

Disciplines: All visual media. Audio media not allowed.

Eligibility: Open to all experience levels.

Physical size/format restrictions: Works of art must be limited to 24” x 24” x 12" maximum (including frame) and should be of a format to sit on a table or easel. If digital media is submitted, the artist is responsible for supplying their own device to show the media. The artist is responsible for providing their works as intended for display, including framing.

Submission Method: Submit digital images (max. 10 MB each) and a brief artist statement (200 words maximum) below.

Prizes: APT DC 2026 Symposium attendees will vote for their favorite works. Three winners will be selected to receive a free 1-year individual membership ($40 value) and the top vote getter will also receive a free registration to the 2025 annual holiday party (approx. $80 value).

Artwork Drop-off: September 11, 2026, 8:00am, at Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum.

Artwork Pick-up: September 11, 2026, 8:00pm, at King & Rye in Alexandria. Artists will not receive a free registration to the symposium. If you are not planning to attend the symposium happy hour, you must make other arrangements with APT DC.

SUBMIT HERE

The Washington, DC Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology (APT DC) is pleased to announce its Fall 2026 Symposium. This year's theme is Adaptive Reuse: Policy in Practice.

Since its creation in 1976, the Federal Historic Tax Credit has shaped the nation’s built environment and changed how Americans view historic landmarks and neighborhoods. The federal historic tax credit, along with a number of state tax credits, has incentivized the reuse of historic buildings across the country.

Former warehouses, textile mills, railroad stations, firehouses, hospitals, banks, office buildings, and even gas stations have been saved from demolition and converted to new uses that continue to serve their communities. Thus, rehabilitation/adaptive reuse has become one of the most popular and visible aspects of historic preservation in the United States.

50 years later, the 2026 APT DC Symposium seeks to explore various aspects of the rehabilitation treatment’s theory and practice – through both its development and utilization over the past 50 years, but also its future application.

The symposium will include seven (7) paper presentations, a walking tour, and an optional happy hour.

This year's symposium is available for in-person and virtual attendees. A recording with most presentations will be provided to registrants upon request.

Agenda:

Registration Fees:

Registration includes full breakfast and lunch, AIA CEUs, APT DC swag, and a walking tour. A separate happy hour ticket includes drinks and light snacks.

Continuing Education: 6.0 LU/HSW AIA CEU credits are approved (5.0 for the presentation sessions and 1.0 for the walking tour).

Volunteer Cleaning Day at Oak Hill Cemetery (9/12): Join APT DC on Saturday, September 12th, for a volunteer cleaning event at Oak Hill Cemetery. 4.0 LU/HSW AIA CEUs are approved. For more information and to register: https://www.aptdc.org/event-6781427

Please contact symposium@aptdc.org if you have any questions.

This year our Volunteer Day will have two tracks:

- Track 1: Marker and Monument Cleaning: Learn about safe and effective restoration cleaning practices and help Oak Hill with maintaining their historic markers and monuments. Led by conservation professionals and product representatives.

- Track 2: Marker and Monument Documentation: Help a new Oak Hill Cemetery initiative to document their markers. Digital documentation and condition survey organized and led by preservation professionals.

Please choose your preferred track upon registration so we know how many to expect, but you can always switch your preferred activity day-of.

Four (4) AIA HSW CEUs pending.