The origins of a federal city date back to the earliest days of our nation’s history. Since its inception with Pierre L’Enfant’s 1780 plans, the city of Washington has served as a center for government, a travel destination, a place for countries from around the world to take up residence and an epicenter of innovation. Its historic buildings reflect this rich history with monuments to founding fathers, elaborate embassies, extensive canal systems and modernist structures.
The Washington Conference will explore not only the complexities of constructing this monumental city and its infrastructure and the challenges of preserving them but also the overlay of new development and its impact on the region’s heritage structures and historic neighborhoods.