READING PATH FORWARD:

APIAHiP's deep-dive into the National Park Service’s Finding a Path Forward: Asian American Pacific Islander National Historic Landmarks Theme Study (2018). This virtual book club and workshop series invited participants to engage with the 17 essays and supplemental resources, examining their implications for historic preservation. Together, we fostered community, deepened our understanding, and inspired tangible actions to identify, nominate, and preserve the places that embody our shared history and cultural heritage!

Reading Path Forward

Cover of a book titled 'Finding a Path Forward: Asian American Pacific Islander National Historic Landmarks Theme Study,' edited by Franklin Odo, with a red background, circular images including a woman with a traditional hat, a child, and a historic building, and decorative symbols.

Reading Path Forward ran from January 2025 through June 2026. Over 18 months, monthly sessions brought essay authors and guest speakers together with participants across the country to discuss historic preservation and APIA themes. The program has concluded, and session recordings and related media are available below.

FULL APIA NHL THEME STUDY PDF
ORDER A PHYSICAL COPY

Recordings

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • A mix between a book club and a workshop series surrounding the Asian American Pacific Islander National Historic Landmarks Theme Study essays.

  • It's the latest collection of work initiated and produced by the National Park Service (NPS) that furthers the designation and preservation of AAPI history specifically thought the National Historic Landmark (NHL) program. NHLs are the highest level of designation for historic and cultural sites. Often, the 2600+ NHLs are the most exemplary of 99,000+ sites on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) of which AAPI history is recognized between 1-3% of the sites at either levels of historic designation. Investigating this body of work enables us to address this gap in representation in an informed and communal way!

  • Monthly meetings will be held on Zoom between 45-75 minutes each. We aim to have host a guest speaker for each meeting such as the actual author of the featured essay or someone who has work closely related to the essay topic, follow by guided discussion with APIAHiP staff. 

  • APIAHiP has a limited supply of the print version and will be requesting more from NPS to distribute through this program. However, you can access a free PDF copy here.

  • The program is completely free, thanks to the support of the the National Park Service and our program partners.

    Attendance at every workshop is not required. We understand that schedules can vary, so you’re welcome to join as many sessions as you’re able to. To make sure you don’t miss out, we’ll provide recordings of the workshops, allowing you to catch up on any sessions you’re unable to attend.

  • Yes, registration is required, but it’s a simple process. Once you complete the RSVP form, you’ll automatically receive a monthly Zoom link and additional session details via email.

  • While Reading Path Forward has concluded, we welcome recommendations for media to share with our network. If you have a book series, film, video, or other media relevant to APIA historic preservation, contact us at info@apiahip.org or submit a Preservation Pathways inquiry to discuss further.

Partners in Reading Path Forward

A woman in a yellow raincoat and white hat standing in a lush green forest with tall trees, holding a stick.
Logo of the Dr. LeeHaus Foundation with a stylized column on the left and the foundation's name on the right.
Illustration of a National Park Service badge featuring a landscape with a large green tree, a snow-capped mountain, a river, and a bison, with a background of orange and black lines.
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