Salve’s joint preservation conference spotlights justice and advocacy

Salve Regina University’s historic campus buzzed with energy as scholars, students and preservation professionals gathered for an extraordinary four-day conference that merged scholarship and advocacy. “The Critical Concerns of Preservation” transformed the University into a hub for conversations about how preservation intersects with social justice – inspiring participants to explore the power of historical narratives to address today’s most pressing issues.

The event was a collaboration between the Eastern States Archaeological Federation and Salve’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Cultural and Historic Preservation Program (CHP). The conference spotlighted the role of preservation in uncovering and honoring diverse histories, with a focus on the Critical Concerns of Mercy: immigration, environmentalism, nonviolence, race and gender.

These themes, central to Salve’s mission, informed every aspect of the conference, guiding discussions about the moral imperative to preserve not only historic sites but also the stories they tell about identity, community and justice.

“We incorporate these things into every facet of our course work,” shared Dr. Heather Rockwell, assistant professor of cultural and historic preservation. “From learning about the experiences of indigenous people in New England, the lives of immigrant servants in Gilded-Age mansions to how we can build a greener community while preserving our historic character, our work touches every area of our critical concerns.”

Keynote inspires attendees to drive change

Rebecca J. Bertrand ’08, executive director of the Newport Historical Society (NHS), set a thought-provoking tone with her keynote address, which challenged attendees to reimagine preservation through a justice-focused lens.

As the nation nears its semi-quincentennial in 2026, Bertrand emphasized the urgent need for historical institutions to serve as tools not just for remembering the past but for driving meaningful change in the present. “Our students being able to see one of our Salve alumni out in the world, accomplishing so much and helping to lead the Newport preservation community was so inspiring,” said Rockwell.

Throughout her address, Bertrand illustrated how preserving stories of displaced communities deepens our understanding of identity and belonging, while integrating natural heritage into historical narratives highlights the interconnectedness of environmental and cultural preservation.

Bertrand’s keynote inspired attendees to view preservation as an evolving, dynamic practice – one that not only honors the past but actively shapes a more equitable future.

Presentations on community findings

The poster board sessions, led by students and scholars, offered a vibrant showcase of research and innovation, highlighting diverse approaches to preservation through lenses of environmentalism, cultural significance and historic analysis.

John Pelrine ’25 with his poster board.

John Pelrine ’25, a CHP major, delved into the significance of historic glass artifacts, drawing connections between manufacturing methods and the historical importance of sites. Using examples recovered from Newport’s historic Spring Street site, Pelrine’s research illustrated how markings and date codes on glass bottles can serve as critical indicators of a site’s history. His work challenged previous historians’ focus on non-machine-made glass, advocating for the value of studying machine-made artifacts to better understand 20th-century industrial and cultural shifts.

“I’ve always been interested in glass and archeology,” said Pelrine. “But it was through in-class public speaking in the CHP program that prepared me to present at this conference.”

Similarly, Sydney Dufresne ’26, a CHP and American history double major, presented her project on designing a new walking trail for the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Rhode Island. This innovative trail utilized GIS and GPS technologies to map out culturally and historically significant sites across the sanctuary, many of which had previously gone unnoticed or unprotected. Dufresne’s project emphasized environmentalism by prioritizing the preservation of these sites while ensuring visitor access in a way that minimizes impact on the land. Her efforts showcased how integrating technology with preservation can deepen public appreciation for both natural and cultural heritage.

Dufresne is grateful to Salve for the wide range of experiences she has received and is excited to use the new knowledge and skills from the conference in her career.

Sydney Dufresne ’26 with her poster board.

“When I talk to the program’s alumni, they feel like they are more prepared than their other coworkers out in the field – and I can already say that is true,” said Dufresne. “Everything we read in class, we are actively getting to do in the field, during the conference, I am learning from other professionals about technologies that can help to expand my own research. I know that in the future, I’ll be able to confidently apply all this hands-on experience in everything I do.”

Field school in Maine leads to award win for Salve student

Engaging poster board sessions showcased groundbreaking research from across the region, while the student paper competition celebrated the next generation of preservationists. Among the standout moments, Salve’s own Kaleigh Trischman ’25, a CHP major, earned top honors, winning the Student Paper Award for her insightful contributions to the field – underscoring the University’s leadership in socially conscious preservation.

Trischman’s paper, “A Palaeobotanical Analysis of Soil Samples Collected from the Munsungun Lake Formation Project,” is part of her ongoing senior thesis research. Drawing from soil samples she collected during Salve’s 2024 archaeological field school in northern Maine, her study examines the floral species that existed in the region during the late Pleistocene, a time when mile-high glaciers dominated the landscape. Through a palynological study, Trischman worked to reconstruct the ecological landscape of the site, which was occupied roughly 12,000 years ago. Her findings aim to expand the understanding of subsistence patterns and human-environment interaction during the fluted point period in New England.

Dr. Heather Rockwell (left) and Kaleigh Trischman ’25 (right), after winning the Student Paper Award.

Competing against undergraduate and graduate students, Trischman’s work was judged on its originality, content, presentation and potential contribution to the field by a panel of Cultural Resource Management experts from across the eastern U.S. Her selection highlights not only the academic rigor of her research but also her deep commitment to Salve Regina’s mission of engaging with the past to better understand and serve the present.

“To have her research recognized by a panel of professionals was a well-deserved honor,” said Rockwell. “Kaleigh has grown so much in the last four years, and I am incredibly proud of her. It was so gratifying to see her hard work recognized and rewarded.”

Trischman’s achievement underscores her passion for archaeology and preservation and reinforces Salve Regina’s role as a leader in preparing students to make meaningful contributions to the field.

Setting students up for success

Hosting the joint conference on campus provided Salve students with an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the professional world of preservation. Through engaging discussions, presentations and networking opportunities, students gained valuable insights into professional-level expectations, explored cutting-edge research and built connections with future employers.

Conferences can seem intimidating, but by bringing this vibrant event to Salve, the University empowered its students to envision and step confidently into their future careers.

“I got to watch our students pick up business cards, start arranging future internships and one of our alumni who was in attendance even landed a job that night,” shared Rockwell. “Our students were able to see that they can move in professional circles, and that is really special.”