Congress of History of S.D. & Imperial Counties

For the past 53 years the Congress of History has shared it’s love of all things historic by hosting a history conference. Local historians and talented authors volunteer their time to give exciting talks that will captivate you. The conference theme this year,

“Believe It or Not – It Happened in My Neighborhood!,” is a celebration of adventures in local history, with historic tales about places that you may THINK you know, but there is so much more.

You are invited to join us on Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3, 2018, in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego at Portuguese Hall, 2818 Avenida de Portugal, San Diego. You don’t have to be a member of the Congress of History to attend; everyone is welcome to the conference. While this is the major fundraising event for the Congress of History, pricing for the two-day conference is extremely reasonable: $35 for adults, $25 for seniors (65+), and $15 for active military or any student with ID. (There is no discount if you will only attend one day.)

We’re delighted that our conference cosponsor is the Portuguese Historical Center (PHC), located in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego. For over 40 years the PHC has promoted the history and appreciation of the Portuguese immigrants and Portuguese culture in the region. Because the conference location is just across the street from the Portuguese Museum, conference guests will be invited to visit the Portuguese Museum as well as the beautiful 1922 Portuguese Chapel located next door to the hall. The chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2017.

The Portuguese community is currently spearheading the adoption of a Little Portugal District to best preserve and commemorate the accomplishments of this community.

Portuguese Hall has its own parking lot, although we always encourage guests to carpool. Within a block walking distance are many locations for lunch, so lunch is on your own. (At the conference we will provide coffee and light refreshments, as well as a map showing nearby easy-to-walk-to local restaurants.)

The registration form for the conference posted on our website. Please register early. While we can take walk-ups in a conference hall this size, you will help out your Congress of History volunteers greatly by preregistering. No tickets will be mailed. When you arrive you will receive a name badge upon check in. This will serve as you ticket for each day. Please mail your registration and payment no later than February 27 to reach us in time. If after February 27, email your registration form to HistoricSanDiego@aol.com and pay at the door (cash or check). Your badge will be waiting for you. Bring cash for all the vendor tables and book sellers.

Please arrive before the start of the conference at 9:00 a.m. After a welcome by our President, Dianne Cowen, Congress of History Vice President and Conference Co-Chair Louise Torio will serve as you emcee. Each speaker will give a 20-minute presentation, with five minutes for Q&A.

There will be a break after every few speakers in order for guests to browse the many organizational exhibit tables and vendor tables set up by the museums and historical organizations. We’ll also have an author table; for speakers who have written books, they will bring their books for sale. To take advantage of this opportunity, please bring cash for your purchases; some vendors will also take a check, but very few will be able to take credit cards.

Believe It or Not – our speakers are coming from all around the region to share their unique neighborhood stories with you. We put out the call for speakers to members and local historical societies to share those interesting, odd, funny, beautiful, or weird stories about their particular location, stories that may not have fit into the other past 52 conference themes. Click for Registration form and schedule of our distinguished historians and the fascinating “believe it or not” neighborhood stories they will present:

So, get excited about attending our regions longest running history conference, send in your registration today, and tell your friends that they must attend this very fun networking opportunity where we delight in supporting one another (“unity and joint effort”). We look forward to see you at the conference!