PROSPECTS FOR AMERICAN RENEWAL
FRI & SAT, NOVEMBER 13-14, 2026
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13-14, 2026
ARCATA SUMMIT
PROSPECTS FOR AMERICAN RENEWAL
PROSPECTS FOR
AMERICAN RENEWAL
THE ISSUE.
Somewhere between E pluribus unum and the present, the things that made America flourish became the things we believed could save us. Means became ends and good servants became false gods. Self-interest, markets, technology, finance, and the worship of equality have failed us. One need not be religious to discern that idols make poor saviors. As inheritors of this decline we are left with a looming question: what now?
THE NEED.
Anyone can point out what is wrong. It takes courage to affirm what is right and perseverance to see it through. The latter is the goal of the Arcata summit as expressed in our theme: Prospects for American Renewal. The renewal will only be realized by our banding together and propelling ourselves out of the muddy rut of apathy and disaffection. Any unified action requires a unified vision of what renewal looks like in the domains of culture, technology, economics, and governance.
THE PRINCIPLE.
Serious inquiry requires the freedom to test ideas, challenge assumptions, and disagree in good faith. Arcata’s inaugural summit is therefore an independent forum, not an exercise in enforced consensus. No conclusions are prescribed in advance; we ask only that consequential questions be met with intellectual courage, curiosity, and respect.
THE INVITATION.
We are inviting 150 scholars and professionals, creatives and craftsmen, leaders and learners to take up these questions in Bozeman, Montana. With its roots in the frontier history of the Mountain West, Bozeman is a fitting place to consider the future of the American experiment. We will gather neither to reminisce nor to speculate idly, but to enlighten the mind, strengthen the will, and lift the spirit—and to equip participants to become agents of renewal in their own lives and communities.
“Truth will ultimately prevail where pains is taken to bring it to light.”
—George Washington
“Truth will ultimately prevail where pains is taken to bring it to light.”
—George Washington
![William Buppert](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69d7d2ced754f36055f304dc/4b9f847f-2a2c-44a1-a74e-b70a8d0cfe32/bbuppert.png?format=750w")
FORMAT
Eight speakers. Ten sessions.
Eight speakers from both sides of the Atlantic will examine the prospects for American renewal. Across ten sessions, we will consider the ideas, institutions, and habits that sustain a free society, drawing on the speakers’ experience in culture, technology, economics, and governance.
Our speakers have been invited for the seriousness and independence of their thinking. Each brings a distinct perspective to this common inquiry.
Together, we will seek not merely to understand the challenges before us, but to identify principles worth affirming and practices worth pursuing.
“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at something worth doing.”
PARTNERS
Small group. Common purpose.
Arcata’s inaugural summit is made possible by seven Montana enterprises whose work reflects the productive spirit and enduring character of the Mountain West.
Their support brings speakers and participants together for serious inquiry, independent thought, and consequential conversation.
We will introduce our summit partners over the coming weeks.
VENUES
The Historic Baxter Hotel
The Historic Story Mansion
Bozeman, Montana
Welcome: Registration & Coffee (Hotel Baxter → )
Opening Remarks & Table Introductions
James Delingpole: Further Down the Road — Cautionary Tales from a British Friend
Luncheon
Summit Recess
Bill Buppert: From Empire to Frontier — Independence, Enterprise, and American Ambition
Peachy Keenan: The First Institution — Marriage, Family, and the Recovery of American Life
Alex Macris: The Semiquincentennial Moment — Aspiration, Anxiety, and the American Spirit
Happy Hour & Dinner
Reflections on the Day
Afterglow (Bacchus Pub → )
SCHEDULE
THE GATHERING
Thursday, November 12
THE GATHERING
Thursday, November 12
5:00-7:30 P.M.
5:00-7:30 P.M.
THE AMERICAN CONDITION
Friday, November 13
THE AMERICAN PROSPECT
Saturday, November 14
9:00-10:00 A.M.
Welcome: Registration & Coffee
10:00-11:00 A.M.
Opening Remarks & Table Introductions
11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.
James Delingpole: Further Down the Road — Cautionary Tales from a British Friend
12:00-1:00 P.M.
Luncheon
1:00-2:00 P.M.
Summit Recess
2:00-3:00 P.M.
Bill Buppert: From Empire to Frontier — Independence, Enterprise, and American Ambition
3:15-4:15 P.M.
Peachy Keenan: The First Institution — Marriage, Family, and the Recovery of American Life
4:30-5:30 P.M.
Alex Macris: The Semiquincentennial Moment — Aspiration, Anxiety, and the American Spirit
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Happy Hour & Dinner
7:30-8:00 P.M.
Reflections on the Day
8:00-9:00 P.M.
Afterglow
THE AMERICAN CONDITION
Friday, November 13
9:00-10:00 A.M.
10:00-11:00 A.M.
11:15 A.M.-12:15 P.M.
12:15-3:00 P.M.
3:00-4:00 P.M.
4:15-5:15 P.M.
5:30-6:00 P.M.
6:00-8:00 P.M.
8:00-9:00 P.M.
9:00-10:00 A.M.
10:00-11:00 A.M.
11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.
12:00-1:00 P.M.
1:00-2:00 P.M.
2:00-3:00 P.M.
3:15-4:15 P.M.
4:30-5:30 P.M.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
7:30-8:00 P.M.
8:00-9:00 P.M.
THE AMERICAN PROSPECT
Saturday, November 14
Coffee, Introductions, & Opening Remarks (Hotel Baxter)
Johann Kurtz: The Long Horizon — Legacy, Stewardship, and the Renewal of Social Capital
Dr. Michael Martin: Recovery of Wonder — Land, Learning, and the Sacramental Imagination
Summit Recess
James Howard Kunstler: A Place Worth Living In — Hearth, Home, and American Civic Life
All-Speaker Roundtable: The Work of Renewal — Where do We Begin?
Douglas Dye: Summit Reflections & Closing Remarks
Dinner & Conversation
Afterglow (1864 Noir Bar & Restaurant → )
9:00-10:00 A.M.
Coffee, Intros, Opening Remarks
Hotel Baxter
10:00-11:00 A.M.
Johann Kurtz: The Long Horizon — Legacy, Stewardship, and the Renewal of Social Capital
11:15 A.M.-12:15 P.M.
Dr. Michael Martin: Recovery of Wonder — Land, Learning, and the Sacramental Imagination
12:15-3:00 P.M.
Summit Recess
3:00-4:00 P.M.
James Howard Kunstler: A Place Worth Living In — Hearth, Home, and American Civic Life
4:15-5:15 P.M.
All-Speaker Roundtable: The Work of Renewal — Where do We Begin?
5:30-6:00 P.M.
Douglas Dye: Summit Reflections & Closing Remarks
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Dinner & Conversation
8:00-9:00 P.M.
Afterglow
REGISTRATION
SUMMIT POSTPONED
Arcata's inaugural Prospects for American Renewal Summit, originally scheduled for November 13–14, 2026, in Bozeman, Montana, has been postponed and will not take place on those dates.
Our strong preference is to reconvene in spring 2027. At present, however, no new dates have been confirmed.
Registration is therefore closed. All existing ticket purchases will be refunded in full, and patrons will receive further details directly by email.
We are grateful to our speakers, patrons, and partners for their goodwill and enthusiasm. We remain hopeful that circumstances will allow us to bring this gathering to fruition.
Further updates will be shared as plans develop.
TRAVEL FAQs
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Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Guests can fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) or Ennis Big Sky Airport (for private aircraft).
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We are pleased to offer Summit patrons preferred accommodations at two exceptional downtown Bozeman properties, each within easy walking distance of The Hotel Baxter and the Summit.
The LARK — A distinctly Bozeman boutique hotel just across Main Street from the Summit, pairing local character, thoughtful design, and the very best of downtown at your doorstep.
AC Hotel by Marriott — A refined, contemporary downtown stay offering Marriott hospitality, modern comforts, and sweeping rooftop views of the Gallatin Range.
Special Summit rates are available for a limited number of rooms and are subject to availability.
For any questions or concerns about lodging, including requests for staying additional nights, please contact engage@arcata.live
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Luncheon and dinner will be provided on Friday, and dinner will be provided on Saturday.
For lunch on Saturday, we encourage our guests to pick from one of downtown Bozeman’s many great local eateries.
Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or food allergies at checkout.
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For guests who are driving to the venue: The Hotel Baxter is located in downtown Bozeman. In addition to street parking, there is a parking garage “Bridger Park Downtown Garage” a couple blocks away.
“If men are to remain civilized, or to become so, the art of associating together must grow and improve.”
