16th Annual Montgomery History Conference to be Held Virtually Jan. 21-29

The 16^th annual Montgomery History Conference will be hosted by Montgomery History from January 21-29. This year’s conference will be held in a virtual format over nine days, offering a myriad of opportunities to take part online in three keynote sessions, 12 breakout sessions, a movie screening and a virtual trivia night. 

The events of current times are a reminder that understanding the past is important to making sense of the present. The 2022 History Conference was organized by Montgomery History in partnership with leading businesses, philanthropies, agencies and organizations. It will bring history to life with exciting topics and fresh voices.

This year, the conference will feature an exploration of Revolutionary War General Richard Montgomery, the County’s namesake; a remembrance of Rachel Carson, who helped launch the modern environmental movement, upon the 60th anniversary of the publication of Silent Spring; and Steve Roberts’ reflections on his wife, Cokie, and her love of history and commitment to Montgomery County.

The conference will conclude with a special showing of Finding Fellowship, an inspirational film by Jason Green that documents the healing power of community and reconciliation that took place in 1968 in Quince Orchard.

Breakout sessions will cover topics including the Underground Railroad, archaeology, suburban growth in the 1980s, the history of the Potomac community, the Shady Grove Music Fair and rustic roads. A special session, with Spanish translation, will celebrate Montgomery College’s 75th anniversary.

The conference will kick off with a virtual trivia night on Friday, Jan. 21. Participants will be able to test their knowledge of Montgomery County history and compete against other attendees to win prizes. Challenging questions will cover all eras of Montgomery County history. Politics, performing arts, sports and geography will be among the featured categories.

View all of the session descriptions here.

To register for the conference, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-montgomery-county-history-conference-tickets-221547934837.

The cost to participate in the conference:

• $25 Basic Access: Includes all three keynotes, the documentary screening, and the trivia night.
• $50 Full Access: Includes everything in the Basic Access package plus your choice of live viewing of four breakout sessions.
• $75 Premier Access: Includes everything in the Full Access package plus recordings of all 12 breakout sessions, the three keynote sessions and the closing performance for 12 months.
• $10 Student Access: Equivalent to the Full Access package at a student price. Students must email HistoryConference@MontgomeryHistory.org with proof of student status before registering.

For more information about the conference, contact Director of Programs Matt Gagle at MGagle@MontgomeryHistory.org.