The 45th Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN) Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference takes place May 15 to 17 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Reflecting this year’s theme, “Bringing Stories to Light,” Quinn Evans team members will lead five sessions covering a range of topics, from cultural landscapes and sustainable housing solutions to immersive storytelling and audience engagement. Explore our sessions below:

Polishing Significance by Drilling into Cultural Landscapes

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM, ONTARIO ROOM

Brenda Williams, FASLA, NOMA, and Ruth Mills, MA, MS, will lead a session exploring how a cultural landscape approach assesses layers of human activity enduring over time, how using this approach reveals complex stories, and how it informs National Historic Landmark nomination amendments for three very different sites.

Not-So-Standard Stannard Rock Lighthouse

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM, HURON/ERIE ROOMS

Michelle Smay, AIA, NCARB, will discuss the historic construction techniques and material performance of this lighthouse, which has been waiting patiently to share its story of detailed planning, construction, isolation, and ghosts, as well as its desire to survive.

From Classrooms to Communities: Transforming Historic Schools into Sustainable Housing Solutions

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, HURON/ERIE ROOMS

Jackie Melfi, AIA, LEED AP, will share adaptive reuse strategies that have turned historic school buildings into living spaces that preserve community heritage while addressing housing shortages. Renovating these historic schools exemplifies a model that balances environmental stewardship while maintaining vibrant communities.

Maximizing Storytelling and Audience Engagement: Immersive Strategies for Historical Organizations

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, MICHIGAN ROOM

Samantha Brown, CPSM, joins a panel discussion on how historical organizations can effectively promote their programs using social media, digital platforms, and immersive in-person experiences to engage both local communities and tourists, tapping into the growing interest in cultural heritage and tourism.

Historic Insights and Future Directions: A Study of Recreation and Industry on Lime Island

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, MICHIGAN ROOM

Megan Zidar and Michelle Smay, AIA, NCARB, share the Cultural Resource Management Plan for Lime Island, located in St. Mary’s River between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Canada. The plan helps interpret the island’s varied history, which plays a vital role in the Great Lakes maritime shipping industry.