Military history might be on your mind as we enter the Memorial Day weekend. The 2024 AASLH Annual Conference features events, sessions, and tours that explore military history. Registration for the conference will open next month!
Wednesday Evening Event at the USS Alabama
AASLH is kicking the 2024 Annual Conference off with a bang at the historic USS Alabama. Gather in the Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion, home of the site’s extensive aircraft collection, historic vehicles, and war artifacts for hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Explore the USS Alabama which began her World War II adventures in the North Atlantic in 1943, then later that year, went to the South Pacific seas. She ended up in Mobile, Alabama as a National Historic Landmark and memorial to millions. Also climb in the USS DRUM (SS-228), the National Historic Landmark WWII submarine, sitting in her cradle beside Mobile Bay. The DRUM is the oldest American submarine on public display. You will enjoy exploring these historical treasures while you catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Thursday: Historic House Museums and Military History Joint Luncheon
With America 250 approaching, many historic house museums are planning what they want to do at their site to commemorate the occasion. One area that has not been discussed for several years is the role of military history in historic house interpretation. Hear from three historic house leaders who have thoughtfully incorporated military history in their tours and brainstorm with other historic house and military history folks to develop new connections.
Friday: Interpretation of Firearms in Collections and Living History Session
Across the United States, the interpretation of firearms in collections and living history is a hot topic in museums and historical sites. There are multiple perspectives on interpretation, and it is not an easy conversation to navigate. Three museums/historic sites representing different regions of the country will talk about their approach to this topic.
Friday Tour: Revolutionary and Civil War Campaigns in Coastal Alabama
This unique narrated voyage of discovery explores two prominent chapters of the Mobile Bay area’s rich military heritage. During a three-hour excursion through the busy port of Mobile and into the storied waters of rivers of the Delta and the headwaters of Mobile Bay, we will discuss the two Revolutionary War battles which occurred on either side of the bay. We will also discover the sites on land and water associated with the last major combined-forces operation of the Civil War—the Campaign for Mobile—which resulted in the capture of the city in April 1865.
Saturday Tour: Discover Coastal Alabama
This special bus tour will provide guests with a one-of-a-kind snapshot of some of Baldwin County’s diverse heritage and numerous amazing historic sites. Along the journey guests will discover Alabama’s largest (and amazingly intact) Civil War battlefield; learn about the unique single tax colony of Fairhope; tour the ca. 1880 Swift-Coles Historic Home; discover an ancient Native American canal; and tour Fort Morgan—site of the Battle of Mobile Bay. As Admiral Farragut might have said: Damn the Torpedoes!—there is much more than beaches to discover in coastal Alabama!
The full conference program will be available soon!
AASLH members receive a discount on conference registration. Become a member.