American Association for State and Local History’s Annual Meeting in Philadelphia

A Sites of Conscience Member, Arch Street Meeting House, in Philadelphia, PA. It is a hub of Quaker thought, inspiration, and action and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2011. Tours, exhibits, and programs allow visitors to explore the Quaker tradition of peace, equality, and justice through diverse stories of principle-led Quaker action through the centuries.

The Coalition is proud to be co-hosting the 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from August 28-31, 2019. The Coalition’s first North American Regional Meeting will be held in conjunction with AASLH’s Annual Meeting and will occur on Tuesday, August 27th.

This year’s conference – entitled “What Are We Waiting For?” – will explore how, in this time of political, social and cultural turmoil, history institutions can better connect with their communities and audiences.

While debates over issues like racial violence, immigration, global climate change, mass incarceration and others divide our communities, many cultural institutions have been reluctant to enter the fray. Some are aware that there are no quick solutions and that real connections take time. Others are afraid to weigh in on politically divisive issues or simply uncertain how, when, or if to make “the jump.” The conference will explore this current climate and offer concrete examples of how the history community can become more relevant and action-based by providing context and programming to help their visitors make sense of modern challenges.

The preliminary program is available here.

To register, please visit AASLH’s website.