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Become a member today and join our team! We are a community of architects, designers, preservationists, and architecture fans who come together to support a singular mission: to save historic places. We can't do it without you! Click here to join us.
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Jun 30, 2023 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am
“Playing” with Place: Cultural Heritage and Video Game Design + CPF Annual Meeting and Election
Jun 13, 2023 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Expanding the Focus: Community-Informed Preservation and Interpretation
Use the links below for a complete list of our upcoming workshops and webinars. Workshops Webinars
If you have the need for training on a specific subject, we will work with you to provide affordable training to meet your continuing education needs.
CPF has a reputation for providing high quality, interactive workshops and is a certified continuing education provider for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the California State Bar (MCLE).
Our programs meet the high standards required by each of these organizations as we strive to present the “current and best practices” in historic preservation. Staff and Commissioners of Certified Local Governments can also satisfy the requirement for continuing education by attending CPF workshops. Click here to email the Field Services Director.
Law & Government
- California Historical Building Code (CCR Title 24, Part 8)
- NEPA, CEQA, Sec. 106, 4(f)
- Mills Act
- Creative Mitigation for CEQA Compliance
- Preservation Easements
- Role of Landmarks Commission
- Training for Certified Local Governments
- Design Review for Historic Districts & Conservation Areas
- Planning Commissioner Short Course
Economic Development
- Incentives for Historic Preservation: Tax Act, TDR’s,
- Preservation & Adaptive Re-use
- Preservation & Affordable Housing
- Preservation & Hazardous Materials
- Preservation & Sustainbility
- Heritage Tourism & Historic Interpretation
Preservation Planning
- Historic Surveys
- Preservation & Disaster Planning: Fire, Flood & Earthquake
- Historic Districts & Conservation Areas
- Preservation Elements for General Plans
- GIS and GPS
- Developing Pubic Participation and Outreach Programs
- Preservation Ordinances
Preservation 101: Basics
- Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
- What is a Cultural Resource?
- How to do Historic Research
- National, California & Local Registers
- Historic Contexts
Design
- Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
- Infill in Historic Districts
- Preservation Design Solutions
- Universal Access for Historic Sites
- Guiding Design on Main Street
Cultural Resources
- Modernism: What is it and do I have to preserve it?
- Cultural Landscapes: Definition, Documentation & Preservation
- Interpreting Sites of Social Change
Technical
- Working with Historic Materials
- Weatherization
Other
- Transportation Enhancements
Past Programs
2023
Under the Oakland Estuary: History and Virtual Tour of the Posey Tube – May 25, 2023
The California and Federal Historic Tax Credits: Historic Tax Credit Equity as a Financing Tool – Apr 21, 2023
Conservation of Historic Concrete – Apr 19, 2023
‘Winning’ Wine Pairings for Exemplary Design – Apr 12, 2023
Edla Muir: Leading Modernist of Light, Views, and the Suburban Pool – Mar 14, 2023
Click here for a complete list of past programs.
Working from Home? Check out our new programs for Spring & Summer, planned to keep you ahead of the curve.
The California Preservation Foundation is a nationwide leader in historic preservation education. We train more than 5,000 people every year at more than 100 distinct events, including tours, our annual conference, design awards, workshops, Doors Open California, and webinars.
California Preservation Conference
Since 1976, we have held an annual statewide conference where preservationists can gather, exchange ideas, network and organize around important issues. Our conferences take place in the spring, typically between mid-April and late-May. Visit our conference page for more details.
California Preservation Awards
During the California Preservation Awards, CPF recognizes the accomplishments of architects, engineers, developers, preservation consultants, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and others for outstanding examples of preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, contextual infill, sustainability, cultural resource studies and reports, craftsmanship and preservation technology, and archaeology and interpretive exhibits. The awards ceremony combines the presentation of the Preservation Design Awards (for exemplary projects) and President’s Awards (for organizations and firms deserving of special recognition). Since 2023, our Preservation Design Awards are presented in concert with our Annual Conference, which occurs between mid-April and late-May each year.
Doors Open California
Doors Open California is the largest statewide celebration of historic places in California. Enthusiasts of historic architecture, design, and cultural heritage will have access to select sites across the state over one weekend, typically in early September to mid-October annually.
Doors Open sites are open only once a year for this special event, which includes 70+ opportunities in all corners of the state. Opportunities include behind-the-scenes or special access to unique, threatened, and/or preserved buildings or sites; walking tours; visits to the hidden vaults of local museums; and more. Doors Open looks at the uniquely Californian history of places, such as the history of neon lighting, social justice movements, food histories, art histories, and more.
Workshops & Webinars
All events are focused on professionals and advocates, including planners, architects, engineers, historians, commissioners, board members, and contractors. Many of our program have continuing education credit, including AIA, AICP, ASLA, MCLE, and USGBC. If you’re unable to pay by credit card, you can call 415-495-0349 or fill out a registration form here and return to us via fax, email, or mail.