Peg Breen
The National Institute of Social Sciences is delighted to announce Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, as one of the 2026 Honorees for its Gold Honor Medal for distinguished service to society and humanity.
The National Institute will celebrate Ms Breen and our other Honorees at the 112th Annual Gold Medal Gala, which will be held in person in New York City on Tuesday, December 8, 2026. We hope you will be able to join us to honor Ms Breen and our other extraordinary Honorees and their accomplishments.
Peg Breen is an internationally recognized leader in the field of historic preservation. Since January 1994, she has served as the President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, one of the oldest and largest preservation organizations in this country.
As leader of NY Landmarks for almost 32 years, Ms Breen has driven substantial historic preservation efforts across New York City. These have included: initiating stabilization efforts for the former hospital complex on the South Side of Ellis Island; saving the “Survivors Staircase” at Ground Zero which is now displayed at the 9/11 Museum; preserving the Picasso Curtain from the former Four-Seasons Restaurant and facilitating its transfer to the New York Historical Society; and sustaining the multi-decade effort to create Moynihan Train Hall. In addition, she has been a leading advocate for the social and economic benefits of urban preservation and philanthropic and governmental support for historic landmarks.
The United States State Department invited her to Russia, Georgia, and Canada to share her knowledge in historic preservation. As a result, she was honored with a medal from the Foreign Policy Association in 2025 for Cultural Diplomacy. City and State magazines twice listed her as one of the most influential women in New York. Her board service has included The Museum of the City of New York, Public Theater at Lincoln Center, Preservation Action and Charleston’s International African American Museum.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in American Studies from New York University. Before joining the New York Landmarks Conservancy, she hosted the statewide public television program “Inside Albany” and served as Director of Communications for the New York City Council.
Previous Gold Medal Honorees, 1913-2025
About the National Institute of Social Sciences
Established in 1912, the National Institute of Social Sciences is a voluntary association of public-spirited citizens who explore issues of urgent and lasting concern. One of the nation’s oldest honorary societies, the National Institute sponsors speeches, discussions, and events that encourage balanced, non-partisan debate and discussion; celebrates distinguished Americans and world leaders who have contributed at the highest level to the welfare and improvement of society; and provides financial support to emerging scholars who are conducting research in the social sciences.