Hands on History Symposium 2026

Every historic place carries two sets of hands: those who built it, and those who chose not to let it disappear.

Hands ON History is a two-day symposium in Athens, Georgia, focused on preservation in action — the craftsmanship, decisions, collaboration, and determination required to restore historic places and keep their stories alive. Through real-world examples and shared experiences, the symposium looks beyond the finished result to explore what preservation takes, why it matters, and what is at risk when we choose not to act.