Society of Architectural Historians

Reminder: the Call for Papers for SAH's 80th Annual International Conference closes tonight at 11:59 p.m. CDT.

https://sah.org/conferences/chicago-2027/call-for-papers-2027-annual-international-conference/

SAH is now accepting abstracts for its 80th Annual International Conference in Chicago, Illinois, April 14–18, 2027. Please submit an abstract no later than 11:59 p.m. CDT on June 8, 2026, to one of the 54 thematic sessions, the Graduate Student Lightning Talks or the Open Sessions for the Chicago conference. SAH encourages submissions from architectural, landscape, and urban historians; museum curators; preservationists; independent scholars; architects; scholars in related fields; and members of SAH chapters, Affiliate Groups, and partner organizations.

If your research topic is not a good fit for one of the thematic sessions, please submit your abstract to the Open Sessions.

Read the full Call for Papers: https://sah.org/conferences/chicago-2027/call-for-papers-2027-annual-international-conference/

The SAH Heritage Conservation Committee recently sent a letter to the National Capital Planning Commission outlining why the proposed 250-foot Monumental Arch in Washington, DC should not be advanced to preliminary and final approval.

"After reviewing the submission made by the Department of the Interior, we feel that the proposal as presented, threatens to negatively impact the historic and architectural context of its setting, disrupts views to existing significant historic monuments, and runs counter to decades of design and preservation guidance for this area that has been prepared by none other than the applicant itself."

SAH Statement on Proposed Monumental Arch in Memorial Circle in Washington DC - Society of Architectural Historians On June 1, 2026, the SAH Heritage Conservation Committee sent a letter to William Scharf, Chair of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), and NCPC Commissioners outlining why the proposed 250-foot Monumental Arch in Memorial Circle on Columbia Island should not be advanced to preliminary a...

Just two spots remain for the 2027 Jungle Kingdoms of the Ancient Maya Study Tour, co-sponsored by SAH and the Archaeological Institute of America! 🗺️

The 14-day itinerary (February 18 – March 3, 2027) led by SAH Executive Director Ben Thomas offers the most comprehensive and best-paced explorations of the region, targeting both major sites and hidden gems in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. This is a rare opportunity to experience and imagine Maya civilization while engaging with the still-standing walls of its culture.

📍See the itinerary at a glance: https://sah.org/programs/study-programs/jungle-kingdoms-of-the-ancient-maya/

Pictured:
- Image 1: Structure 33, Yaxchilán
- Image 2: Murals of Bonampak
- Image 3: Olmec monument at La Venta Archaeological Park

The June 2026 issue of JSAH is now available! This issue includes a roundtable titled "Architectural History and Trans Experiences," articles by Hannah Kaemmer, Dwight Carey, Simon De Nys-Ketels and Trésor Lumfuankenda Bungiena, and Ana Vaz Milheiro, and several book, exhibition, and multimedia reviews.

📓SAH members can access the full-color online journal through the SAH website: https://sah.org/publications/jsah/

Became an SAH member today to get access to the June issue and the entire JSAH archive dating back to 1941.

On the cover: James Collins and Nicholas Yeates, after Thomas Phillips, Tangier in its Rewings, c. 1683 (Pepys Library 2985, Part II, 298-99), reproduced by kind permission of the Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge

SAH's 80th Annual International Conference will take place in Chicago April 14-18, 2027. SAH encourages paper abstract submissions and conference program proposals from architectural, landscape, and urban historians; museum curators; preservationists; independent scholars; architects; scholars in related fields; and members of SAH Chapters, Affiliate Groups, and partner organizations.

CALL FOR PAPERS
The deadline to submit an abstract for SAH 2027 is June 8, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. CDT. Please submit an abstract to one of the following:

🔸Thematic Sessions: The 54 thematic sessions represent a range of time periods and will be illustrative of wide regional distribution.
🔸Graduate Student Lightning Talks: Those submitting papers for the Graduate Student Lightning Talks must be graduate students during the conference.
🔸Open Sessions: If your research topic is not a good fit for one of the thematic sessions, please submit your abstract to the Open Sessions.

Learn more: https://sah.org/conferences/chicago-2027/call-for-papers-2027-annual-international-conference/

CALL FOR CONFERENCE PROGRAMS
Submit proposals for roundtables, SAH Chapter Meetings, and SAH Affiliate Group Meetings by July 15. These programs are meant to supplement the regular conference programming and should differ from the paper sessions in both topic and organization, with a format that provides an opportunity for active, in-depth discussion and interaction.

Learn more: https://sah.org/conferences/chicago-2027/application-for-conference-programs/

Did you know SAH offers gift memberships? By gifting an SAH membership, you're granting access to exclusive resources and programs, including:

📓A subscription to the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians (JSAH) and access to its entire archive (1941-present)
🖥️ Access to members-only lectures, virtual meetups, and workshops
🧠 Eligibility to apply for SAH grants and fellowships
📸 Access to more than 200,000 images of the built environment through the SAHARA database
🏛️ And much more!

SAH membership makes a great gift for recent grads and those starting their careers. See all the membership benefits: https://sah.org/membership/

Last call! Submit a pre-formed session, roundtable, or open session paper proposal for SAH's 6th annual Virtual Conference by May 18 at 11:59 pm CDT. SAH Virtual 2026 offers attendees from around the world the opportunity to participate in meaningful exchange of ideas, no matter their time zone or ability to travel. Last year, SAH's Virtual Conference drew attendees from 20 countries.

Sessions will explore the breadth and length of architectural history, historic interiors, and transformation of landscapes. Learn more and submit your presentation proposal: https://sah.org/conferences/virtual-2026

Save the date! 📅✨ The SAH Celebrates Gala returns on November 13 at the Fortnightly of Chicago to shine a spotlight on the people preserving and promoting the history of architecture. More than a fun night out, this vital event raises much-needed funds to support the stewardship of the Charnley-Persky House and advance SAH’s scholarly programs and publications.

Learn more: https://sah.org/programs/sah-celebrates/

SAH is accepting applications for the American Architecture and Landscape Field Trip grant program to fund architectural and landscape field trips for students in grades 3–12 from under-resourced communities. To provide students with firsthand experiences and hands-on knowledge about the history of the built environment, SAH partners with nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. that offer youth design education programs and docent-led tours of architecture, parks, gardens, neighborhoods, and town/city centers.

Applications are due June 1. Learn more: https://sah.org/jobs-opportunities/sah-fellowships-and-grants/field-trip-program/

Provided photo: High school students participate in a Cranbrook Center curator-led tour of the Melvyn Maxwell and Sara Stein Smith House (Wright, 1949).

Registration is now open for the 2027 Jungle Kingdoms of the Ancient Maya Study Tour, co-sponsored by SAH and the Archaeological Institute of America!

Take a tropical adventure to witness the ancient Maya world amid the verdant jungles and awe-inspiring ruins of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras led by SAH Executive Director Ben Thomas. The 14-day itinerary (February 18 – March 3, 2027) offers the most comprehensive and best-paced explorations of the region, targeting both major sites and hidden gems.

🗺️ See the itinerary at a glance and learn more: https://sah.org/programs/study-programs/jungle-kingdoms-of-the-ancient-maya/