Call for Proposals: The Conference on Black History in the Hudson Valley

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, Saturday, July 14, 2018. The conference will be held at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401 with some sessions at the Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center, 43 Gill Street, Kingston, NY 12401.

This one day conference with concurrent sessions will focus on Black history in the Hudson River Valley of New York. This this may include its tributaries and canals. 

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: (1) title, (2) type of presentation, (3) content description of no more than 500 words, (4) name of presenter(s), including title and/or affiliation, and full contact information, (5) 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 please note in your submission. We will do our best to accommodate you. Authors interested in selling their books and/or doing a book signing, please include this request in your submission.
Please 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.