02/26/2025
Wednesday, February 26
6–8pm
328 Poyntz Ave.
We are pleased to co-host the biennial Historic Preservation Summit once again in beautiful, historic, downtown Manhattan. The theme of this year’s summit is the preservation of historic cemeteries, with a focus on Riley County and Manhattan cemeteries.
The Riley County Historical Museum (RCHM) will present methods used and informational materials about their cemetery preservation initiative.
This initiative, established in 2024, hosted five public workshops throughout the region, with the intent of both educating and encouraging local volunteers to become proactive stewards of their communities’ historic cemeteries. At those hands-on workshops, training was provided to over 140 individuals, and over 235 historic headstones and monuments were cleaned and repaired. RCHM is excited to launch its 2025 season and is already scheduling workshops for the upcoming season.
6:00 p.m. — Doors open
6:30 p.m. — Welcome and introductions of partners; update on local preservation topics
7:00 p.m. — Keynote speaker Mick Charney, Ph.D. presents “Et in Arcadia ego: Sunset Cemetery, A Garden of Memories.”
The Historic Preservation Summit is free and open to the public. These programs are perfect for anyone — of any age — with an interest is caring for and appreciating their historic and cultural environment. Reservations are not required.
Thank you to the partners responsible for facilitating this event:
Manhattan/Riley County Preservation Alliance, the Riley County Historical Society & Museum, the City of Manhattan Historic Resources Board (HRB) and Community Development Department. An additional thank you to Brushpoint, Union Hall, SNW Gallery & Custom Frames, Mick Charney, Rebecca Katzenmeier, and Alyn Pennnington West.