Conference Information

Dates:  July 21-24, 2026
Venue: National Union Building, 918 F St., NW Washington, DC, 20004
Keynote: Kirsten Pai Buick, July 21, 2026, Smithsonian American Art Museum
Reception: July 23, 2026, National Museum of American History

Registration Portals: In-Person or Online

Travel and Lodging:

Air: Washington, DC, is served by three airports: Washington National (DCA), Dulles (IAD), and Baltimore-Washington (BWI)

  • DCA is domestic flights only, but is the closest to the city and an easy Metro ride in.
  • IAD hosts most of the area’s international flights. It is a little outside of DC however it served by Metro (silver line).
  • BWI is smaller and hosts some international flights. Take the bus to the BWI train station to catch a train to DC.

Trains: Amtrak runs to Union Station. It is easy to get to and from Philadelphia, New York, and Richmond on the train.  The Metro serves Union Station.

Taxis and Ride Shares: Ride services and taxis are generally abundant in DC. They may upcharge for rush hour or inclement weather.

Lodging: There is no conference hotel. DC has many lodging options to fit your budget, needs, and comfort. We recommend ensuring that you are close to public transportation to get you to the venue easily. Hotels within walking distance to the venue include:

  • Riggs Washington, DC 900 F St., NW (160 feet) $$$
  • Grand Hyatt, 1000 H St., NW, WDC 20001 (6-minute walk) $$
  • Roost White House, 1425 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20005 (7-minute walk) $
  • Motto by Hilton, 627 H St., NW, WDC, 20001 (9-minute walk) $
  • Fairfield by Marriott, 500 H St., NW, WDC 20001 (11-minute walk) $$

Travel Pro Tip: Consider travel insurance and build in flexibility. Conference organizers are not able to assist with travel emergencies. If traveling internationally to DC, check visa requirements. Consider checking to your country’s embassy when you get to the US. Embassies (and info on self-guided embassy walking tour).

In and Around Washington, DC:

  • The conference venue, the National Union Building (NUB) is in Chinatown between Downtown and Penn Quarter.
  • Maps and Orientation: Know which quadrant of the city you are in. How to understand DC street maps. DC is a grid system divided into quadrants (NW, NE, SW, SE). Downtown streets have letters and numbers that are crossed at diagonals by state name streets. You can also use this handy Neighborhood name map to orient yourself.
  • DC’s public metro and bus system are good. SmartCard works for both. See DC Metro website.
  • Parking is challenging and expensive, however there are a number of garages in the vicinity of the NUB.

DC is a great place to do 19th-century research and to vacation! Official tips at Washington.org and Visitor Resource Center (on DC.gov).  Check out lists atlasobscura.org, or dcist.com for fun things to do. Ideas for free things to do in DC (more in this list on Washington.org):