Dear SHEAR Member:
On behalf of the local arrangements committee, I am delighted to invite you to the 1999 meeting of the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic. This year's conference will be held from July 15th to 18th on the historic campus of Transylvania University in the heart of the scenic Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Accompanying this cover letter is a letter from the executive director, a registration form, information about lodging and transportation, and a copy of the conference program. I think you will find the scholarly offerings of the conference worthwhile, and our hope, as the local arrangements committee, is to make your visit to Lexington equally meaningful. Our planning for the 1999 SHEAR meeting has been very much a collaborative effort by academic institutions and historical organizations in the region. Therefore, please do not be confused, for example, that registration materials should be mailed to the University of Kentucky while the conference is being held at Transylvania University; that a Saturday reception sponsored by Centre College will be held at Sayre School; or that a Friday picnic sponsored by Georgetown College, the Kentucky Historical Society, and the Filson Club Historical Society will be held at Ashland^Öthe Henry Clay Estate. Just trust us that everything will come together for an enjoyable conference visit. Once you arrive at Transylvania University and check in at the conference registration desk in Haupt Humanities Building, you will receive a packet of materials about historic and tourist sites, restaurants, and other pertinent information. If you would like such information earlier, please contact the Lexington Convention and Tourist Bureau at 606-233-1221. Please join us from July 15th to 18th in the "Athens of the West." Since space is limited for some of the special functions at the conference, please fill out and return your registration form as quickly as possible. All checks should be made out to "SHEAR 1999." If you have questions concerning the conference, feel free to contact me at 502-863-8108 (w) or through the internet at cfriend@georgetowncollege.edu. If you have questions concerning your registration, contact Lynn Hiler at 606-257-6861 (w) or through the internet at clhile01@pop.uky.edu. In either case, please put "SHEAR 1999" in the subject heading to alert us that yours is an important message.
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson Friend Chair, 1999 SHEAR Local Arrangements Committee
Important note: Downtown Lexington is full of one-way streets and no left turns. The directions, therefore, may seem complicated, but in reality they are not. Lexington is a small city with minimal downtown traffic.
>From Cincinnati, Louisville, Knoxville, and points east: Whether you are approaching Lexington on I-75 or I-64, the two interstates merge on the northside of Lexington. From either direction, take Exit 113. From the exit ramp, make a right (regardless of which way you were coming on the highway) and head southwest into Lexington on North Broadway. Drive about two miles on North Broadway until you cross Fourth Street, at which point you are at the Transylvania University campus. Look for a circular driveway and parking lot on your left. You cannot make a left turn into that parking lot so merge into the right hand lane, travel another block to Second Street, turn right, make your first left, make the next left onto Short Street, and another left onto Broadway traveling north. This time, as you cross Third Street, the parking lot will be on your right and you can enter safely. Overlooking this parking lot and Broadway is the Haupt Humanities Building, a three story brick classroom building. Conference registration will be held in the lobby of the Haupt Building. While registering, you will receive information about more permanent campus parking and on-campus housing.
>From the airport: If you are renting a car at the Lexington Airport, follow airport signs for downtown Lexington. When you leave the airport premises, make a left onto Man O' War Boulevard, and then make the first right onto Route 60 (Versailles Road). Follow Versailles Road for about 3.5 miles. It will bend to the right and become Maxwell Avenue, a one way street, closer to downtown. Once on Maxwell travel about a quarter of a mile, make a left onto Broadway (this intersection features a "Wildcat Liquor" sign on the right). Stay on Broadway until you cross Third Street, at which point you have come to the University. Turn right into the semi-circular parking lot. Registration is in the lobby of Haupt Humanities Building which sits at the apex of the semi-circle. While registering, you will receive information about more permanent campus parking and on-campus housing.
>From Nashville and points southwest: If you are traveling from the southwest, take the Bluegrass Parkway into the Bluegrass region. It will end at Route 60; merge to the right towards Lexington. You will eventually pass the airport on the right. Follow the above directions from the airport at that point.
To the Radisson from Transylvania University: The Radisson Plaza is three blocks south of Transylvania University on Broadway. From the Haupt Humanities Building parking lot, you must exit to the right. Make an immediate right again onto Fourth Street, then another right onto Upper Street. This will take you to Main Street where you will turn right. Merge into the left hand lane and, after you cross Broadway, stay in the left hand lane as it u-turns you and merges you onto Vine Street. Now you will cross Broadway again. The Radisson Plaza's parking garage is on the left.
To the Radisson from the airport: To reach the Radisson from the airport, after turning left onto Broadway, travel two blocks and make a right onto Vine; the parking garage is the first left entrance off of Vine.
Association Travel Concepts, the official travel agency for the Society
for Historians of the Early American Republic, has negotiated discounts
with the vendors listed below to bring you special fares that are lower
than those available to the public. By calling ATC you will receive a savings
of 5% to 15% off the regular ticket price. Some restrictions may apply.
Should you choose to call the vendors direct, please refer to the numbers
listed below:
Delta Airlines 1-800-241-6760 ID# DMN128503A
Avis Rental Car 1-800-331-1600 ID# J952813
ATC will also search for the lowest available fare on any airline serving
your chosen market. In addition, we provide advanced seat assignments &
special meal requests on airline flights, frequent flyer program updates,
email access for convenient booking of you tickets and more. To take advantage
of the these great rates, contact us at
Association Travel Concepts
1-800-458-9383
Fax: 619-581-3988
atc@assntravel.com
www.assntravel.com
Discounts apply 7/12/99 through 7/21/99.
History and Tourism in the Bluegrass
Phone numbers current as of December 1998. Use area code 606.
SHEAR 1999 will be meeting at historic Transylvania University, the first institution of higher learning in the trans-Appalachian West. We will also have a picnic at nearby Ashland, the estate of Henry Clay (free shuttle bus provided) . While Harry of the West's home has been torn down, conventioneers will be able to tour several original outbuildings and the current building, which houses many pieces of Clay memorabilia. Come enjoy the good food and see Clay's extensive lawns and enjoy the peaceful neighborhood. Other sites within easy walking distance of Transylvania include Gratz Park, with its nineteenth-century architecture, and two homes restored by Lexington's Historic Preservation group, the Blue Grass Trust^Öthe Bodley-Bullock House and the Hunt-Morgan House. Adjacent to Transylvania is the Sayre School, which is hosting an afternoon reception.
Transylvania University is located in downtown Lexington, and there is much to do in the immediate area. A short drive away (or vigorous walk) is the Mary Todd Lincoln House (233-9999). Other nearby attractions include The Kentucky Theatre, a wonderfully restored 1,100-seat 1922 movie theater that shows first run movies and some cult classics. The horse statues at Thoroughbred Park represent public art at its best as they race for the finish line. And to continue your Clay odyssey, visit the beautifully landscaped Lexington Cemetery, (255-5522) where Henry Clay and other Kentucky notables are buried.
Other Lexington attractions include the unique experience of touring the Pope House, (limited tours^Öcall ahead at 253-0362) the home of one of Kentucky's first US Senators and one of only three surviving domestic residences designed by Benjamin Latrobe. The structure was recently badly damaged by fire (as well as conversion into a ten-unit apartment building!), but it is now undergoing renovation under the direction of the Blue Grass Trust. The tour provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at historic preservation in action. Also consider the Headley-Whitney Museum (255-6653) with its extensive collection of American decorative arts and Waveland State Historic Site (272-3611) with its interpretation of life in and around an early Kentucky "Big House."
There are great places to go outside of the city limits. Among the "must-see" places is the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (800-734-5611) outside Harrodsburg, which features thirty original Shaker buildings on 2,700 acres as well as costumed interpreters, horse rides, crafts and farm equipment. While there, definitely make lunch or dinner reservations at the Village's fabulous Trustee's Office Dining Room (try the cole slaw and the pie!). Two hours to the southwest, visit the famous Mammoth Cave National Park (502-758-2328).
For most Kentuckians, the Bluegrass is the land of Daniel Boone, and there are many sites relating to his life and times. The most prominent are Revolutionary-era places such as the reconstructed Fort Boonesboro (527-3131) and the Blue Licks Battlefield State Park (289-5507). Kentucky's Civil War military history is remembered as well. Civil War historians can head southwest from Lexington to visit Camp Nelson Cemetery, located on land that served as one of the Union's largest centers for training African American soldiers. From there it's a short drive to Perryville (800-255-PARK), site of Kentucky's largest Civil War battle. Non-military historians who visit Perryville can take the town's modest self guided walking tour of nineteenth-century buildings (Perryville Enhancement Project at 332-1862) and end with afternoon tea at the Elmwood Inn (Thursday-Sat., 332-2400).
Directly South of Lexington, SHEAR conventioneers can find White Hall (623-9178), the elegant home of Kentucky abolitionist Cassius Clay. Conveniently near the interstate is Berea, home to historic Berea College and legendary Appalachian craft shops. (College: 986-9341, Town: 800-598-5263 and ask for the "Berea Guide"). On the way, enjoy the 164 seat Hummel Planetarium (ask for schedule of shows, 622-1547) in Richmond.
Despite Andrew Jackson's best efforts, there is a road from Lexington to Maysville, Kentucky. You can take it to Maysville's National Underground Railroad Museum (564-6984, closed Sundays) and on to the Rankin House in southern Ohio and the many Hopewell Indian Mounds near there. Along the way in Kentucky, take in the Cane Ridge Shrine (987-5350), the now-quiet hill that served as the jumping-off point of the Second Great Awakening.
Of course, the Bluegrass is famous for more than just history. Horse lovers can visit horse farms by personal appointment or through tour companies. The very popular Kentucky Horse Park (259-4257) offers up-close looks at different breeds of horses as well as museum displays and shows. Camping and hiking are also widely available, the most spectacular being the Natural Bridge State Park and adjoining Red River Gorge (800-325-1710) to the east of Lexington. Just south of Lexington in Fayette County, Raven Run Nature Sanctuary (272-6105) has hiking trails, an overlook of the Kentucky River, and frequent wild deer sightings.
There is a world of information readily available to make your stay
in the Bluegrass a pleasant one. We heartily recommend calling the Greater
Lexington Convention and Visitors' Bureau at 800-84LEX-KY. Callers may
want to request the informative booklet, "Heritage: The Lexington African-American
Discovery Guide." Information about Louisville is available at 800-626-5646,
and about Kentucky at 800-225-TRIP. Even more information can be gained
by reading Jeff Walter and Susan Miller, The Insider's Guide to Greater
Lexington and the Kentucky Bluegrass. In addition, restaurant and tourism
information will be available at the Conference registration desk. The
Bluegrass is a great place to visit; come join us!
SHEAR Registration Form
21st Annual Meeting
Transylvania University
July 15-18, 1999
Lexington, Kentucky
Name_____________________________________Affiliation____________________
Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone_____________________________Email_______________________________
Conference Pre-Registration
SHEAR Member: $30.00 (on site fee: $35.00)
________
Non-member: $40.00 (on site fee: $45.00)
________
Student/unemployed: $20.00 (on site fee: $25.00) ________
On-Campus Housing
(you must be registered for conference to arrange on-campus housing)
Forrer Hall: $30.00 per night, single or double arrival date_____________
departure date_________________
name of roommate (if applicable)________________________
Special Events
(you must be registered for conference to attend special events) Plenary
Session, Thursday evening, 8:00-10:00. Free. Do you plan to attend?_____________
Picnic at Ashland, Friday evening, 5:30-7:30. $15 per person. ________
Reception, Saturday afternoon, 5:00-6:30. Free.
Do you plan to attend?_____________
Banquet, Saturday evening, 7:00-9:30. $ 25 per person ________
Total Cost ________ Return completed pre-registration form and complete
payment
(make checks payable to "SHEAR 1999")
to Lynn Hiler, SHEAR 1999, Department of History,
POT 1715, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0027.
If you have questions, call Lynn Hiler at 606-257-6861 or Craig Friend
at 502-863-8108.
Accommodations:
Accommodations have been arranged in Forrer Hall on Transylvania University's campus and at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Lexington. Please read the descriptions carefully to avoid any confusions upon your arrival.
Rooms in Forrer Hall contain two beds, and linens are included. All residents share two hall bathrooms, each designated for a separate gender. Rooms in Forrer Hall are $30 per night, whether used as singles, doubles, or whatever. There are a limited number of rooms in Forrer Hall. They will be distributed according to order of receipts of payment. Arrangements are to be made through the local arrangements committee; see your registration form.
Rooms at the Radisson Plaza are $89 per night, whether used as singles, doubles, or whatever. The Radisson Plaza is three blocks from Transylvania University, a very brief and safe walk up Broadway. You must reserved Radisson rooms directly through the hotel at 1-800-333-3333. Make sure that you indicate to the attendant that you are with the SHEAR conference in order to secure the discounted price. If problems arise, please contact Craig Friend at 502-863-8108 (w) or cfriend@georgetowncollege.edu on the internet.
There are other hotels in the immediate vicinity of Transylvania University.
The Hyatt Regency is adjacent to the Radisson Plaza (1-800-233-1234) and
offers similar accommodations. Gratz Park Inn, one block from the college,
is a small, luxury inn (1-606-231-1777). Other comfortable hotels, all
within a ten minute drive from the college, are
Days Inn North Broadway 1-606-299-1202
EconoLodge Newtown Pike 1-606-231-6300
Harley Hotel North Broadway 1-800-321-2323
Holiday Inn-North Newtown Pike 1-606-233-0512
Marriot Griffin Gate Newtown Pike 1-606-231-5100
Quality Inn-NW Newtown Pike 1-800-228-5151