RIHPHC: Back to the Future 2020 cancelled

Dear RIHPHC community,

It is with deep regret that we inform you that we have decided to cancel Back to the Future, the 35^th Annual Rhode Island Statewide Historic Preservation Conference at CCRI Knight Campus and Greater Warwick on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Though it was a difficult decision, it was not unexpected. In response to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, Governor Raimondo has urged Rhode Islanders not to take part in large gatherings until further notice. The health and safety of our conference participants, hosts, volunteers, and RIHPHC staff is of the utmost important to us.

We appreciate the efforts of speakers and tour leaders who were developing excellent programs for the conference. We are thankful for our partners from CCRI, the City of Warwick, Warwick Historical Society, and Preserve Rhode Island. We are grateful for our new and returning conference sponsors. A special shout-out goes out to our student volunteers. And thank you, our friends and colleagues, for your continued support for the conference.

Here's the good news. George Smart of USModernist has already agreed to return as the keynote speaker for Back to the Future in April 2021. We have received a great deal of enthusiastic feedback about the program and will reach out to all of the speakers and tour leaders about offering their sessions and tours next year. Over the next few weeks, we will refund all registration fees for 2020 and follow up with all of our partners, sponsors, and supporters.

Let's look forward to Back to the Future 2021.

Courtesy of RIHPHC