JUNE 11–14, 2009 • UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, SALT LAKE CITY

INTRODUCTION

The Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture was founded as the Institute of Early American History and Culture in 1943 by the College of William and Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to foster “study, research, and publications bearing on American history approximately to the year 1815.” Still jointly sponsored by the College and Colonial Williamsburg, the Institute was renamed in 1996, in recognition of a generous endowment pledged by Mr. and Mrs. Malvern H. Omohundro, Jr. The Institute publishes the William and Mary Quarterly, books in its field of interest, and a e-newsletter; organizes and supports a variety of conferences, seminars, and colloquia; and annually offers a two-year NEH postdoctoral fellowship and a one-year Andrew W. Mellon postdoctoral research fellowship.

In June 1995 the Institute inaugurated a series of annual conferences specifically designed to serve as a forum for the rich variety of work under way in the early American field. Organized exclusively by calls for papers and panels and held in a different geographic region each year, these meetings are intended to bring together and facilitate exchanges among junior and senior scholars from several disciplines who share a common interest in the history and culture of early America.

Eric Hinderaker (University of Utah), Brett Rushforth (College of William and Mary), and Dee E. Andrews (California State University, East Bay) chaired the program committee for the 2009 conference. Members include Virginia Anderson (University of Colorado), Juliana Barr (University of Florida), Chris Hodson (Brigham Young University), Jenny Pulsipher (Brigham Young University), Vikki Vickers (Weber State University), and Neil York (Brigham Young University).