Revolutionary New York

September 28-30, 2026

Delta Hotel by Marriott 

Utica, NY

The Association of Public Historians of New York State (APHNYS) is pleased to announce that our 2026 Annual Conference will be held in Utica, NY, in Oneida County, September 28-30, 2026. Our annual conference draws more than 100 government-appointed historians and affiliates from across the state.

As we celebrate the semiquincentennial of the United States, we reflect not only on the battles and sacrifices of the American Revolution, but the drastic changes in technology and culture that followed in the 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

What revolutionary ideas shaped history in your community? Was it the fight for Independence? A later social movement or technological innovation? Or perhaps there’s an event predating the Revolution that continues to shape your history? Tell us about the moment that changed everything! This year, our programs will reflect on pivotal events that have shaped New York State history.

Call for Proposals

We invite proposals for workshops, panels, and presentations that explore our theme, "Revolutionary New York." Deadline: May 1, 2026. The Program Committee will review proposals and respond to all applicants by May 29, 2026.

All presenters will be required to register and pay for the conference. (The only exception will be for presenters attending just their session.)

Please contact the Program Committee with questions - Matt Urtz, Matthew.Urtz@madisoncounty.ny.gov or Mary Cascone, mcascone@townofbabylonny.gov 

SESSION TYPES
Unless otherwise noted, sessions are 75 minutes in length; 30 minutes of that should be reserved for discussion. All presenters must appear in person. 

Panel sessions (75 minutes) are organized around a facilitator/chair and 3–4 presenters. Generally, each panelist speaks for 10-15 minutes, followed by comment and/or discussion led by the facilitator and time for questions from the audience. Individual presentations should be at least loosely connected by topic or theme.

Skills sessions (75 minutes) are training sessions designed to teach practical skills. This session type is ideal for demonstrating the use of new or innovative tools or techniques.

Workshops are longer, more-focused training sessions in which presenters work directly with participants to teach them a new skill or concept. Workshops may be up to three (3) hours in length. These will only be scheduled on the morning of Monday, September 28. (We will also consider workshops that can be held offsite on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 30.) You may wish to set a limit on the number of attendees to ensure that participants can actively engage and interact with the presenters. Please let us know in your proposal if you would like to charge a modest fee per participant to cover the cost of necessary supplies. 

Individual sessions (45 minutes) allow a single presenter to give a 25-minute, lecture-style talk on a single topic or theme followed by time for questions from the audience.

Submit your proposal here.

Tours Information 

Under Development

Travel & Lodging

The conference will be held at the Delta Hotels Utica, located at 200 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502.

Hotel registration will open in June. 

Traveling to Utica by Car:

Under Development

Traveling to Utica by Train:

Amtrak service is available to the Boehlert Transportation Center, 321 Main Street, Utica, NY 13501. The railroad station is 0.7 mile from the conference hotel. 

Conference Program

Under Development

APHNYS Open Board Meeting

The APHNYS Board of Directors will be holding an open meeting at the conference, on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Association of Public Historians of New York State Awards

Nominations have not yet opened, please check back. 

APHNYS will be seeking nominations for its awards, given every year at its annual conference. Awards are given during the recipient's lifetime and not posthumously.  Here are the categories for the awards:

Franklin D. Roosevelt Local Government Historian Professional Achievement Award - Awarded to an appointed historian in recognition of outstanding career achievement in the practice of Public History in New York State.

Named in memory of FDR’s service as Historian of the Town of Hyde Park in Dutchess County. Nominations open to appointed municipal historians, only.

Edmund J. Winslow Local Government Historian Award for Excellence– Awarded to an appointed historian, recognizing excellence in one or more public history projects or publications in New York State.

Named in memory of Edmund J. Winslow, Senior Historian, New York State Museum (1968-1990). Nominations open to appointed municipal historians, only.

APHNYS Award for Excellence in Promoting Local History - Awarded for excellence in promoting local history in New York State through research, writing, and other related accomplishments.

Nominations open to all, including appointed municipal historians, deputy historians and co-historians.

Hugh Hastings Award – Awarded in recognition of distinguished service to and support of the public history community, through work to promote and preserve history in New York State.

Named in honor of Hugh Hastings, the First State Historian for New York State (1895-1907). Nominations open to those other than appointed municipal historians.

Joseph F. Meany Award – Awarded in recognition of excellence in a military, maritime or labor history project or publication, in New York State.

Named in honor of Joseph F. Meany Jr., Acting Historian for New York State (1994-2001). Nominations open to all, including appointed municipal historians, deputy historians and co-historians.'