The Program Committee for the 2004 meeting of the Western History Association invites proposals for panels and papers for the 44th annual conference of the organization. The 2004 meeting in Las Vegas, October 13-16, will explore the American West, with a special emphasis on the Hispanic West, as represented in both image – illustrations, artistic works, photographs, films, and documentaries – and record – letters, journals, diaries, ships’ logs, songs, travel accounts, archeological evidence, and the wide range of historical scholarship. We encourage papers that distinguish between “The West of the Imagination” and “the West of Reality.” The geographic boundaries are wide, given that the Hispanic frontier spread from Florida to Alaska and the American West began for many when the stories of greener pastures attracted settlers away from the rocky soils of New England.

The meeting of 2004 will recognize the role played by Las Vegas during the early days of exploration as the site of grasses and a water supply for travelers in an otherwise desert landscape. Called by the Spaniards “Las Vegas” meaning “The Meadows” because of its welcome amenities, the valley was first made known to Americans by Captain John Fremont in 1844. Las Vegas, founded as a city in 1905, witnessed remarkable changes. It is well represented by both image and record, and we solicit papers that tell the Las Vegas story from its small beginnings to its evolution into the tourist destination it is today.

We encourage submissions for entire sessions, individual papers, and panel discussions. We especially welcome ideas for papers and panels that mine the rich documentary and visual evidence that portray the past in its multiple facets. We encourage new interpretations considering issues of gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as environmental and global approaches. Sessions may follow the traditional scholarly approach or be less formal and experimental, making use of art, film, and music.

Join us in Las Vegas for what promises to be one of the most colorful and exciting WHA conferences to date. When submitting an entire session, include an abstract that outlines the purpose of the session and designate one panelist as the contact person. Each paper proposal, whether individual or in a session, should include a one-page abstract, a one-page c.v. including address, phone and e-mail for each participant. The committee will consider that all listed individuals have agreed to participate.

Program committee co-chairs for 2004 are Sandra Schackel, Boise State University, and Durwood Ball, University of New Mexico. All submissions should sent by August 31, 2003, to: