Black History in the Hudson Valley Conference Planned

A conference on Black History in the Hudson Valley has been set for Saturday, July 14th, from 9 am to 5:30 pm, in Kingston.

Hosted by the Hudson River Maritime Museum and The Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center, the focus of this conference is the history of Black and African-American residents in the Hudson Valley, including communities and work along the canals and tributaries of the Hudson River.

The Conference on Black History in the Hudson Valley is open researchers of all levels, with special sessions for short presentations of research-in-progress for students and historians alike. Concurrent sessions at HRMM and the African Roots Library will be scheduled in 60- and 75-minute sessions to accommodate more formal 45 minute presentations and performances, panels of three 15 minute research-in-progress presentations, and for workshops, roundtable discussions, and more.

The conference will be held at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, with some sessions at the Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center, 43 Gill Street, Kingston.

The Hudson River Maritime Museum and the Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center are seeking proposals for the Conference on Black History in the Hudson Valley. Presentations of topics from any historical era are welcome. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Slavery & abolition
• Afro-Dutch life
• Free Black communities
• Reconstruction
• Great Migration
• Industrial labor
• Waterfront histories
• Canal labor
• Transportation
• Fishing
• Food & agriculture
• Suffrage
• Black press
• Music & entertainment
• Art
• Civil Rights

Proposal types may include:

• Lectures/Powerpoints with Q&A
• In-progress research presentations (15 mins or less)
• Live performances (performers please submit a sample video or audio recording with your proposal)
• Roundtable discussions (audience participation required)
• Workshops, such as geneaology, research, reading discussions, etc.

Proposals should include: title, type of presentation, content description of no more than 500 words, name of presenter(s), including title and/or affiliation, and full contact information, technology needs. All presentations should be geared toward a lay audience of all ages.

Historians are welcome to submit 40 minute individual presentations. Students and historians with in-progress research are welcome to submit 15 minute presentations. Workshops, roundtable discussions, and performances may be no more than 75 minutes long. All locations will have projector & screen. Those needing audio equipment should note in their submission. Authors interested in selling their books and/or doing a book signing, include this request in your submission. Submit all materials to conference@hrmm.org.
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Submissions are due Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Presenters will be notified of acceptance by Friday, June 1, 2018. Conference occurs on Saturday, July 14, 2018.