Conferences

DEMHIST holds conferences at least once a year, in various places. These conferences offer a platform to raise and discuss professional issues. DEMHIST has developed guidelines for hosts and an evaluation form for participants of its meetings.
DEMHIST offers several types of events to foster international exchange, professional development, and critical dialogue around historic house museums. Each format serves different goals and audiences:

• Open Talks (2-day event, Online & Free)

Organized by the DEMHIST Board, Open Talks are free online events open to all — whether or not you’re a member of DEMHIST or ICOM. These interactive sessions feature paper presentations, interactive discussions, video tours, and even gamified activities. They are designed to explore timely topics and encourage inclusive participation from across the globe.

• Annual DEMHIST Conferences (4-day event, In Person)

Held in a different host country each year, our Annual Conferences offer in-depth professional and academic exchange. These events require a registration fee, with reduced rates for DEMHIST and ICOM members. Whenever possible, the DEMHIST General Assembly is held during the annual conference. Beyond paper presentations, this format provides valuable opportunities for networking, exclusive site visits, and discussions.

• DEMHIST at the ICOM General Conference (Every Three Years)

Every three years, DEMHIST contributes to the ICOM General Conference by organizing sessions that link the event’s main theme to the specific concerns of historic house museums. These include panels, interactive workshops, and more. All activities are open to registered participants of the ICOM General Conference.

DEMHIST also keeps its members informed about relevant conferences by other organizations.

Conference Guidelines

If you wish to organize a DEMHIST meeting, you can find information about the necessary tasks and procedures in our conference guidelines

Download the guidelines   

Conference application form 2026

If you are interested in hosting the DEMHIST 2026 conference, please read the guidelines and complete the application form.

Download the application form  

As well as hosting its own conferences DEMHIST also informs its members about relevant conferences held by other similar organisations.