Previous Conferences
2023 Conference - Saturday, October 7, 2023
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
9:30-10:00 A.M. Registration Check In and Refreshments
10:00-10:45 A.M. Poster Session and Networking
10:45 A.M. Welcome
11:00 A.M.-12P.M. Foundations of Interpretation for Historians
Presenter: Liz Thompson, Certified Interpretive Guide
Do you sometimes feel like your programming is falling flat? Do you struggle to make local history content relative to today’s audiences? During this program, we will explore the principles of interpretation - the foundation of NAI’s Certified Interpretive Guide Program - and learn how employing them can improve your history programming and make it more accessible to a diverse range of audiences.
Noon-1:15 P.M. Lunch
• Business Meeting and Julia Reinstein Career Achievement Award
1:15-1:30 P.M. The 1779 Project
Presenter: Michael Oberg, Distinguished Professor, Department of History at SUNY Geneseo, and Geneseo Center for Local and Municipal History
A brief overview of initiatives to commemorate the legacies of 1779 during the Revolutionary War, with emphasis on an ongoing partnership with the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation (RDLGF) and opportunities for municipal historians to get involved.
1:30-2:30 P.M. Encouraging Municipalities and Homeowners to Save Historic Properties
Presenters:
• Megan Klem, Preservation Planner for Landmark Society of Western NY
• Gary Goodridge, Chair of Henrietta Historic Site Committee (est. 1978)
• Christopher Brandt, Bero Architecture and Chair of Irondequoit Historic Preservation Commission (est. 2001)
• Shannon Barg, Asst. Building Inspector and liaison to Penfield Preservation Board (est. 1973)
A look at how the towns of Penfield, Irondequoit, and Henrietta are preserving historic properties, plus some myth-busting about the National Register of Historic Places.
2:30 P.M. Meeting Wrap Up
2022 GAHWNY Conference
After a hiatus of several years, GAHWNY held a day-long conference for Western NY historians with the theme "Documenting the Rich Cultural Diversity of Your Community" in East Aurora, NY, on October 1, 2022.
We heard from Peter Rachleff of the East Side Freedom Library in St. Paul, MN, about his efforts to establish a social-justice and racial-justice library and community center and make people from all backgrounds feel welcome. Rochester City Historian Christine Ridarsky presented on the City Historian's Office's recent projects to document the stories of underrepresented groups, including Rochester's LGBTQ and Black communities.
There was also lots of time for networking with historian colleagues and all agreed it was nice to be able to gather in person again after so long. We hope the programming and connections proved thought-provoking and jumpstart new projects for our members!
2020-2021 Annual Meetings
Cancelled due to conoravirus pandemic
2019 Annual Meeting
September 28th, 2019
Livingston County Campus, Mt. Morris, NY 1451
2018 Annual Meeting
September 22, 2018
Seneca Nation of Indians Administration Building, Salamanca, NY 14779
2017 Annual Meeting
October 14, 2017
Rochester Club West at Bohn's, Batavia, NY 14020
2016 Fall Conference
September 24th
United Methodist Church in Geneseo, NY 14454
2016 Spring Conference
April 23, 2016
Rochester Club West at Bohn's (formerly Bohn's Restaurant), Batavia, NY 14020
2015 Fall Conference
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Houghton College, Allegany County
2015 Spring Conference
April 18, 2015
Bohn's Restaurant, Batavia, NY 14020
2014 Fall Conference
September 27, 2014
Beaver Hollow Conference Center, Java, NY
2014 Spring Conference
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Bohn's Restaurant, Batavia, NY 14020