PLACES Event comes to Walla Walla in October
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation are pleased to announce that PLACES — Washington’s annual statewide conference focused on the continued care of place through historic preservation, placemaking, and economic vitality, brought to you by the Washington Trust and the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation—is taking place in Walla Walla from October 16-18, 2024.
PLACES offers conference attendees an opportunity to dip a toe into the world of Main Street and dive deep into its economic development and preservation principles. This year’s conference features more than 50+ unique learning experiences, including mobile tours that will take attendees into downtown Walla Walla’s innovative small businesses, inspiring preservation stories, dynamic and beautiful streetscape work, and bold forthcoming infrastructure projects.
Preservation practitioner, educator, and scholar Fallon Samuels Aidoo will present the conference keynote address during the Opening Plenary on Wednesday, October 16. As attendees begin their time together in Walla Walla, Fallon will inspire us to think deeply about the human-centered work of historic preservation, Main Street, and economic vitality.
The Excellence on Main awards ceremony on the evening of Thursday, October 17, will feature exceptional stories from across the state — everything from remarkable entrepreneurship projects to brick-and-mortar rehabilitations to community partnerships.
The Washington Trust is honored to have the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation joining as hosts for this conference and welcoming participants to their incredible downtown, as this is an opportunity to showcase how community care has made Walla Walla a great place to live, work, and play. Participants will attend special events and workshops at venues all over downtown Walla Walla, including the Marcus Whitman, the Kirkman House Museum, and the Gesa Power House Theatre.
With 300 registrants (and counting!) and a focus on creative venues and local businesses, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation anticipate major local economic impact for downtown Walla Walla. At last year’s conference (held under the name RevitalizeWA), hosted in Vancouver, conference attendees’ and organizers’ local spending at hotels, restaurants, venues, and retail shops generated an estimated $204,779 for the host city.
Conference registration is $250, with additional events, such as mobile tours, separately ticketed.
About the Washington State Main Street Program
Since 1984, the Washington State Main Street Program has been helping communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts using the successful Main Street Approach®. WSMSP is a program of the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, managed under contract by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit the Washington Trust’s website.
About Downtown Walla Walla Foundation:
Established in 1984, the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation is a nonprofit community organization dedicated to promoting the history, culture, and commerce of downtown Walla Walla. The Foundation manages the Walla Walla Farmers Market and produces many downtown events, including the Summer Concert Series, Sip and Stroll, the Wheelin' Walla Walla car show, Walla Walla Brewfest, as well as the annual Holiday Parade of Lights, and Veterans Day Parade.