From the Conference Planning Committee

On behalf of the Conference Planning Committee, we would like to invite you to the 32nd National Conference of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. We are planning an exciting and informative series of workshops and programs. For 32 years, AAHGS has held a national conference to assist African Americans in the search for their roots.

Join us in September, for Ties that Bind: Honoring Our Ancestors.

Sincerely,
Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis and Jerry Hynson
Co-Chairs, 2011 Conference Planning Committee

General Information

Conference Location
All conference workshops and activities will be held in the DoubleTree Hotel, 424 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72201. Phone: 1-800-222-TREE , (501) 372-4371, FAX: (501) 372-0518.

The DoubleTree Hotel has ample parking, up to 205 spaces with an additional 245 that are open to the public. Self-parking is available at a charge to both, overnight hotel guest and non guest at a rate of $7.50 per day parking fee.

Transportation
Little Rock is readily accessible by air, rail and interstates I-30 and I-40. Located 6 miles from the Little Rock Regional Airport, the DoubleTree Hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, train and bus terminals. The Amtrak Union Station is just a few blocks from the hotel. Should you choose to travel by Greyhound, the bus terminal is just across the river on the north side of Little Rock. For other areas of interest, taxis are available.

Room Rate
Special room rates of $99.00 (single/double) are available for AAHGS conference registrants. The conference room rate is available beginning on Monday, 19 September through Monday, 26 September, for individuals wanting to arrive early to conduct personal research. There is a tax of 11.50% on each guest room.

Reservations must be made by calling the DoubleTree Hotel at (501) 372-4371 or by calling their Central Reservations system at 1-800-222-TREE. When making reservations, be sure to request the AAHGS conference rate. (Group Code: AHG) The deadline for receiving this room rate is 3 September 2011. After September 3rd, unreserved rooms will be released for resale; reservations received after that date will be accepted on a space availability basis only.

Special Needs
Special dietary needs must be detailed in writing and submitted with the registration form.

Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be in writing and postmarked no later than 1 August, 2011. All cancellations will be subject to a $50.00 processing fee.

General Information on Little Rock

All conference workshops and activities will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, perfectly located overlooking the Arkansas River. The DoubleTree Hotel is in the heart of downtown businesses, government offices, shopping, tourist attractions, and is just six miles from the airport. The DoubleTree is part of the Robinson Center complex, which hosts the Arkansas Symphony, concerts and Broadway plays. The Statehouse Convention Center is just 1½ blocks away. All of the DoubleTree’s sleeping rooms offer spectacular views of the river or the downtown skyline.

Research Facilities
All are located within a 2 mile radius of the DoubleTree.

Arkansas History Commission (AHC)
AHC is one of the oldest existing state agencies in The Natural State. Arkansas’ official state archives was created by the General Assembly in 1905. It preserves Arkansas History which can be researched through manuscripts, books, microfilm, newspapers, maps, and photographs. Unique materials are referenced in the biographical, place, and subject files. The AHC not only provides information on Arkansas, but also houses U. S. Census Records, U. S. Military Records, other state county records, manuscripts, Freedmen’s Bureau Records among others. The Coordinator of African American History at the Archives will be available to assist you. Extended research hours on Wednesday, September 21st, for AAHGS members until 8:00 p.m. For more information visit their website at www.ark-ives.com.

Historic Arkansas Museum
The Museum invites you to come in and step back into Arkansas frontier history. Tour the museum's historic grounds and visit a pre-civil war neighborhood, including the oldest home still standing in Little Rock and the site where William Woodruff once printed the Arkansas Gazette. Interact with a living history character and see first-hand how early residents lived. Inside the Museum Center, explore Arkansas made art and artifacts in four exhibit galleries, see contemporary Arkansas art in the Trinity Gallery, and watch kids having fun in the interactive children's gallery. Shop for quilts and other contemporary crafts in the Museum Store, and see the award-winning introductory video in the theater. Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday,9 am – 5 pm, Sunday, 1 – 5 pm

Butler Center for Arkansas Studies
The Butler Center’s Genealogy Division provides a wonderful opportunity for family history research. Located at 401 President Clinton Avenue, reference room on the second floor of the Arkansas Studies Institute (ASI). The collection contains materials on most aspects of genealogical research, as well as a wealth of specific records from each of the United States and from abroad. Extended research hours on Tuesday, September 20th and Thursday, September 22nd, for AAHGS members until 8:00 p.m. For more information visit their website at http://www.cals.lib.ar.us. Be sure to look for Rhonda Stewart, Genealogy & Local History Specialist, Central Arkansas Library System.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
501 West Ninth Street; Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 683-3593; http://www.mosaictemplarscenter.com. The Mission Statement of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is to collect, preserve, interpret, and celebrate Arkansas's African American history, culture, and community from 1870 to the present, and to educate the public about black achievement – especially in business, politics, and the arts.

Pulaski County Court House
401 West Markham; Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 340-8411. The Pulaski Count Court House is located directly across the street and in front of the DoubleTree hotel. You will find Marriage and Divorce Records, Civil and Criminal Records, Bills of Sale, Property Deeds, and more.

Bureau of Vital Statistics
Arkansas Department of Health, Division of Vital Records; 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 44; Little Rock, AR 72205. Shuttle service by the DoubleTree Hotel will be available, based on availability and no cost to those members that have a need to obtain birth, marriage or death records. You may download forms from their website; Healthyarkansas.com.

To register for the conference, please download the registration form in Adobe pdf or Microsoft Word format; complete it and mail it with payment to: AAHGS Conference Coordinator, P.O. Box 73067, Washington, DC 20056-3067. Additional fees for late registration have been waived.