Have a discovery to share? Join us in Washington!

Propose a talk for The Daguerreian Society's 2026 Symposium, October 15–17, in Washington, DC.

Presentations are scheduled for Friday, October 16, as part of the three-day event.

The Symposium brings together collectors, scholars, curators, dealers, and enthusiasts of 19th-century photography for talks, behind-the-scenes tours, and collegial exchange.

We invite proposals on topics such as:

• Overviews of institutional holdings
• Collections management — including conservation, archival storage, cataloguing, appraisals, insurance, and estate planning
• Pivotal figures and studios in daguerreotypy and 19th-century photography
• Hidden gems, overlooked collections, and new research discoveries — including those outside the U.S. and Canada
• Themes that cross formats, such as spirit photography
• The stories behind the making of modern daguerreotypes
• Topics of particular importance to Washington, DC, and the surrounding region

We especially welcome proposals that offer new research, fresh interpretation, or previously unpublished material.

Please keep in mind: 

• All talks must be richly illustrated. 
• Shorter talks will receive preference. Presentation slots are typically 15, 30, or 45 minutes, including Q&A.
• Academic credentials are not required. Our speakers include collectors, dealers, independent researchers, curators, conservators, and historians.
• Selected presenters will be asked to adapt their talks into an article for the Daguerreian Society Annual.

To submit a proposal, please email:

• A brief summary
• Your estimated running time
• Three to five representative images

Send materials to speaker-committee@daguerreiansociety.org.

Proposals must be received by May 31, 2026. 

We look forward to seeing what you will bring to Washington!