FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marc Mappen
November 10, 2008 Phone: 609-984-0902
Trenton – People with an interest in the history of the Garden State—scholars, researchers, volunteers, museum staff, teachers, history buffs, and members of the public—will gather at the Marriott Hotel in Trenton on Saturday, November 22, 2008 to participate in an exciting event: the New Jersey Forum.
The New Jersey Forum will feature papers and presentations by experts in New Jersey history. Speakers will discuss the history of public health in the state; efforts to preserve and protect the state’s historic landscapes; the development of suburbs; and the roles of women, families, and slaves during New Jersey’s four centuries of recorded history.
The 20 presenters at the event include renowned faculty, graduate students, and independent scholars. There will be an emphasis on new scholarship and first-time presenters. Among the institutions represented will be Rutgers, the University of Minnesota, Southern Illinois University, Monmouth University, William Paterson University, Seton Hall University, and the Salem County Historical Society. Exhibits from dozens of New Jersey history organizations will be included. There will also be an awards lunch, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field of New Jersey history.
Two major addresses will be given as part of the day’s program. During the morning plenary session, Dr. Ian Burrow, of Hunter Research, Inc., will give a talk entitled, “Hands-On Our History! Archaeological History in the Active Voice for New Jerseyans.” The featured luncheon speaker, Dr. Kenneth T. Jackson, the Jacques Barzun Professor of History at Columbia University, will present a talk entitled, “If All the World Were New Jersey: Reflections on the Past and Future of the Garden State.”
The primary sponsors of the conference are three agencies within the New Jersey Department of State with a history focus: the Historical Commission, the State Archives and the State Museum. The registration fee is $40 per person, which includes morning coffee, lunch, a conference packet and admission to all conference events. The conference program and registration form are available at the website www.newjerseyhitory.org. These forms may also be requested by calling (609) 984-0954 or via email at peter.mickulas@sos.state.nj.us.The convention site is accessible to the handicapped. If you have questions regarding special access needs, professional development credit for teachers, or exhibit tables, contact Peter Mickulas at the Historical Commission at the above email address.
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