2026 Conference

CALL FOR PAPERS

44th ANNUAL GULF SOUTH

HISTORY AND HUMANITIES CONFERENCE

With Special Sessions Celebrating the America 250

Semiquincentennial in the Gulf South

October 1-3, 2026- Natchez Grand Hotel & Suites in Historic Natchez

The Gulf South History and Humanities Conference is an annual event sponsored by the Gulf South Historical Association, a consortium of colleges and universities, in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

The 44th Annual Conference, hosted by Midwestern State University, welcomes proposals for presentations that address the culture and history of the Gulf South – the U.S. South and territories in Central America and the Caribbean.

Proposals must be submitted electronically by August 15, 2026, to the program chair, Dr. Whitney Snow, [email protected]. To submit an individual paper, please send a PDF containing a title, a 150-word abstract, and a one-page vita. To submit a themed panel or roundtable forums, send a PDF containing a title and brief (150-word) description of the theme, a 150-word abstract for each paper, a one-page vita for each presenter, and a suggested chair/discussant.

In addition to sessions on traditional scholarship, the program committee encourages panels on pedagogy, public history, or material culture. The committee also welcomes nontraditional session proposals including roundtables, “state of the field” sessions, and lightning rounds. Full session proposals are strongly preferred, though the committee will consider individual papers. Graduate students are encouraged to submit proposals and may compete for the William S. Coker Award, awarded annually for the best graduate paper presented at the conference. Additional information on applying for the Coker Award will be provided to conference registrants.

To register, please send a check and registration form to the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies, P.O. Box 10730, SLU, Hammond, LA 70402. Make checks payable to the Gulf South Historical Association. For online registration, please go to this link: http://www.southeastern.edu/alumni_donors/foundation/giving/gshhconf/index.html.

The full registration fee includes a Thursday evening reception, all conference sessions, and a free one-year membership in the Association. The additional banquet fee includes tickets for the banquet, annual keynote address, and cocktail reception.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Natchez Grand Hotel & Suites located at 111 N Broadway St, Natchez, MS 39120. When calling to make your reservation, please mention that you are with the Gulf South Historical Association to receive the discounted conference rate of $149 per evening. Please call 1-601-446-9994 to make your reservation.

 

Registration Form

Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________

Phone: Email: _______________________________________________________________

Institutional Affiliation: ____________________________________________________________________

Full Registration: $70______ Student Registration: $30______ Saturday Only Registration: $30_____

Attending Complimentary Thursday Reception: yes/no (Please Circle Choice)

Friday Awards Banquet: $55______

Total Enclosed:_______