Society for Historians of the

Gilded Age and Progressive Era

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AND COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY FOR HISTORIANS OF THE GILDED AGE AND PROGRESSIVE ERA, April 12, 2002

President Ballard Campbell called the Council Meeting of the Society for Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era to order at 5:00 p.m., April 12, 2002, in Room 4, Renaissance Washington Hotel, Washington, D.C. In addition to President Campbell, Northeastern University, the following SHGAPE Council and other Members attended the meeting: Vice President Donna Gabaccia, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Secretary-Treasurer Roger D. Bridges, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center; Council Members Professors; Nancy C. Unger, Santa Clara University; JGAPE Editor, Maureen Flanagan, Michigan State University; Kriste Lindenmeyer, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Past President Walter Nugent, University of Notre Dame; Ellen Litwicki, State University of New York, Fredonia; Non Council members present included Professors Kathryn Osburn, Tennessee Technological University and past Presidents Michael Les Benedict, The Ohio State University; Robert W. Cherny, San Francisco State University; Charles W. Calhoun, East Carolina University; Membership Chair, Raymond “Skip” Hyser, James Madison University; H-Gape Editorial Board Chair Jacqueline Moore, Austin College; H-SHGAPE Book Review Editor Philip Vandermeer, Arizona State University; and Shannon Parsley, American University.

Following self introductions, Professor Philip Vandermeer moved approval, with corrections, of the Minutes of January 4, 2002. Professor Raymond “Skip” Hyser seconded the motion; it passed unanimously.

The Council accepted the Treasurer’s report showing a positive cash flow of $8,548.73, and a checkbook balance of $13,912.08 on April 1, 2002, by common consent.

Several members present expressed their enthusiastic approval for the content and format of the SHGAPE Newsletter and commend Professor Alan Lessoff, editor for his work.

Professor Maureen Flanagan reported that there had been 21 submissions to the Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Council extended its congratulations to Dr. Flanagan for the content and format of the Journal. All were deeply impressed by its quality and praised Dr. Flanagan for its successful launch.

Past President Walter Nugent reported that Professor Samuel Hays had been invited to deliver the lecture at the 2003 annual Distinguished Historian Lecture but that he had not yet received a reply. There is no “plan B” at the moment.

Vice President and Program Chair Professor Donna Gabaccia reported that Dan Litwin and Ed Crapol were on the committee. They has issued a call for panels for upcoming meetings. Four panels had been arranged for the AHA meeting in 2003. The committee is working on ideas for two additional panels.

Professor Kriste Lindenmeyer reported that Kathy Osburn had been a welcome addition to the

HSHGAPE editors. She reported, also, that there were 1,096 on the list from twenty different nations.

Although there are fewer postings than in previous years, she believes it is because the list is maturing and still serves a very useful function.

President Campbell reported the appointed of the following to the H-SHGAPE Editorial Board: Robert Johnston, Yale University; James J. Connelly, Ball State University, and Peter Holloran, Worcester State College. President Campbell announced that he will be appointing at least one other new member, but that he wished to solicit the H-SHGAPE for suggestions and self-nominations. His suggestion was unanimously accepted by the Council. It was announced that the annual meeting of the Editorial Board would be an online meeting.

President Campbell announced that Daniel Letwin had agreed to serve as Chair of the Article Prize Committee and that he would appoint two others at a later date.

On motion by President Campbell, seconded by Professor Kriste Lindenmeyer, and passed by common consent Bylaw 9. C. Distinguished Historian section, the final sentence was revised as follows: “The Distinguished Historian will receive two complimentary invitations to the luncheon, a commemorative plaque or certificate, and an $500 honorarium. Likewise Article 9. D. SHGAPE Article Prize was amended by adding the following after the last sentence in the paragraph: “The winner of the prize receives an honorarium of $500. On motion by Professor Nugent, the Council, by common consent, adopted a life membership category at a one time payment of $500.

There was a brief, inconclusive discussion of whether SHGAPE should take a stand on the S. Walter Poulshock book. It was agreed to postpone a definitive discussion.

There was, however, a lengthy discussion of the merits of joining the History Cooperative and to make the Journal available, also, in an electronic format. Professor Lindenmeyer, author of the suggestion believes it will encourage libraries to subscribe and encourage individual subscriptions because access would only be for members. Lindenmeyer moved that the JGAPE Executive Committee determine whether to join, Professor Kathryn Osburn seconded, Professor Walter Nugent called the question and the motion passed unanimously.

The meeting then adjourned to the reception immediately.

Respectfully Submitted

Roger D. Bridges

Secretary