45th Annual Northern Great Plains History Conference returns to its birthplace at UND

This year marks the 45th annual Northern Great Plains History Conference. Hosted by UND, the Conference returns to its birthplace from Oct. 13-16. It will be held jointly at the Ramada Inn and Clarion Inn in Grand Forks.

Founded in 1966 by UND in partnership with the University of Winnipeg, the NGPHC spent its first several years at home in the Red River Valley. However, it soon branched out to its ever growing supporting institutions for hosting sites. The Conference draws attendance from across the United States and Canada, from California to Quebec.

Though called the Northern Great Plains History Conference, do not let the name fool you; the title stems from the Conference’s origins, not its content. With more than 30 sessions offered this year, topics range from “Looking at the Land” to “British Military History” to “Speaking Literally, Politically” and more. The sessions’ showcase papers not only centralized in North Dakota and the surrounding region but also in such countries as China, Japan, Israel, Yugoslavia, and Vietnam to name a few.

Local photographer and business owner, David Britton, will kickoff the conference Oct. 13, at 7 p.m., with his presentation “Country Grain Elevators – Form, Function and Memories.”

Other highlights include the keynote address on Oct. 15, given by Katherine Jellison titled “The Four Freedoms in Amish Country: Visual Images of Amish and Mennonite Farm Families in World War II Propaganda.” The lecture will focus on her current project, exploring the Pennsylvania Old Order Amish in the 1930s and 40s.

The lecture will be given during the annual Northern Great Plains History Banquet. At that time the Society for Military History will award a new prize, “The Society for Military History Prize for the Best Paper in History by an Undergraduate Student” in addition to a similar prize awarded to a graduate student. Other awards include the “Society for Military History Paper Award” and the “Larry Rowan Remele Award.”

The Northern Great Plains History Conference also features a special addition this year in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts’ “Big Read” event series.

Conference participants are encouraged to attend the discussion, led by Robin David of Honors, of Tim O’Brien’s acclaimed book, The Things They Carried on Oct.14.

For a complete conference schedule, please visit www.und.edu/org/greatplains/.