The 2025 Conrad M. Hall Symposium for Virginia History

The 2025 Conrad M. Hall Symposium for Virginia History

Key Details:

Symposium Theme: Revolutions
When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Where: Virginia Museum of History & Culture
 

Presentations:

Submission Deadline EXTENDED: 
March 24, 2025
Decision Notification: 
April 2025
Application: Link 
Cost: Presenters will receive complimentary registration and lunch.
 

Exhibitors: 

Submission Deadline
June 2, 2025
Decision Notification
June 2025 
Application: Link 
Cost: $150-250 
 

Questions? symposium@virginiahistory.org

 

Past Programs

2024 Symposium 
2023 Symposium

Join us on Saturday, October 4, 2025!
 

Get Symposium Tickets
 

This year, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture will seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to mark the important role Virginia played in the American Revolution. Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation examines Virginians both iconic and ordinary who brought about the American Revolution and a world changing democratic government. At the same time, Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865 explores how Black Virginians achieved freedom and persevered against a system unwilling to grant them the rights promised by the Revolution. The VMHC’s varied and vibrant program of events will embrace this historic anniversary while highlighting our nation’s unfinished pursuit of a more perfect union.

Virginia led in the American Revolution. Innovative ideas flowed from pens and presses, incendiary oration inspired action, and volunteers fought off the world’s most powerful military. As colonists overthrew a king, a revolution from below saw countless enslaved Virginians enact their own declarations of independence. Virginia then debated what rights the United States should guarantee its citizens as the Revolution’s ramifications rippled around the world. But revolutionary action did not end there. Rebellions shook the system of slavery as civil war approached while Readjusters reimagined Virginia in the Reconstruction era. The Equal Suffrage League demanded women’s access to the ballot and the Civil Rights movement saw activists sit in and stand up from Cherrydale to Hopewell. To this day, Virginia Indians fight for rights previously denied to them. Virginia’s moderate reputation belies its citizens’ willingness to challenge the status quo. But revolutions are not always overtly political: economies, transportation, culture, science, and much more, have all experienced moments of dramatic change over the course of Virginia history, and our symposium embraces a broad definition of the term.

2025 will see the return of the VMHC’s Conrad M. Hall Symposium for Virginia History, a one-day event where historians, practitioners, and members of the public gather to explore our shared past. Featuring panels and presentations that highlight groundbreaking research into Virginia history, tailored gallery tours that celebrate revolutionary Virginian’s and their ideas, and a special keynote lecture, the symposium links past with present to inspire future generations.

Get Symposium Tickets

 

Call for Proposals

The VMHC welcomes presentations, panels, and posters from public and academic historians alike that address the theme of “revolution” in Virginia history. Presentations can relate to either:

  • Revolutionary people, places, or events in Virginia history
  • New work in Virginia history that represents revolutionary change in the way we archive, research, interpret, and educate

Our symposium is an opportunity for historians to share their work in a supportive, public-centric environment that values accessibility and engaging storytelling. The VMHC looks forward to welcoming you to share new perspectives on the unparalleled history of Virginia.
 

To Submit a Proposal:

  • EXTENDED - The deadline for presentation submissions is Monday, March 24, 2025. Decisions will be communicated in April 2025. Please direct any questions to symposium@virginiahistory.org.
  • For all submissions, please submit a presentation title, a 250-word abstract, and a biographical paragraph or CV (no more than 250 words) in a single PDF/Word document to the link below. 
     

Presentation Application 

When reviewing proposals, the VMHC will value the contemporary relevance of the topic and the public speaking experience of the presenters. If you would like to include an example of past public speaking (such as recorded presentations and podcasts), we would welcome them, but they are not a requirement.

 

Exhibitor Hall - NEW for 2025

Now in its third year, the VMHC Symposium draws approximately 200 guests from diverse backgrounds to the museum. Attendees are academics, public historians, K-12 educators, undergraduate and graduate students, and history loving members of the public. The VMHC is excited to offer organizations the opportunity to engage with symposium guests by reserving a spot in our exhibitor hall.

  • Commonwealth Level - $250
    • 2 symposium registrations
    • 2 6ft tables
    • Listed in symposium program (print and digital)
    • Ability to sell products to symposium attendees, with prior VMHC approval 
       
  • Dominion Level - $150
    • 2 symposium registrations
    • 1 6ft table
    • Listed in symposium program (print and digital)
       

The deadline for exhibitor submissions is Monday, June 2, 2025. Decisions will be communicated later in June 2025. Please direct any questions to symposium@virginiahistory.org.  

Please note, the application and review process for exhibitor space and presentations/panels/posters are separate. If interested in both opportunities, you must submit separate applications. 
 

Exhibitor Application