U.S. Declaration of Independence
Central Region Humanities Center Biennial Conference
2026 Biennial Conference | Sept. 10-13, 2026

Central Region Humanities Center Biennial Conference

 

The CRHC Biennial Conference 250 Years: The Promises and Legacy of the Declaration of Independence has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

National Endowment for the Humanities

250 Years: The Promises and Legacy of the Declaration of Independence

Sept. 10-13, 2026 | Baker Center Theater

This event has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Dr. Colleen Shogan

The Central Region Humanities Center’s 2026 biennial conference celebrates 250 years of the Declaration of Independence on Sept. 10-13, 2026, in the Baker University Center.

Keynote: 11th U.S. Archivist Dr. Colleen Shogan

The keynote event is a conversation with Dr. Colleen Shogan, 11th Archivist of the United States, is Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

Confirmed Speakers

Princeton University
Michael A. Blaakman

Michael A. Blaakman, Associate Professor of History at Princeton University, is a historian of revolutionary and early national America.

Harvard’s Hutchins Center
Anna-Lisa Cox

Anna-Lisa Cox is a historical consultant and researcher and a non-resident fellow at Harvard’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. She is the author of The Bone and Sinew of the Land.

Southeast Ohio History Center
Jessica Cyders

Jessica Cyders is the Director of the Southeast Ohio History Center in Athens, Ohio.

Karsh Institute of Democracy
Iris De Rode

Iris De Rode is a Fellow at the Karsh Institute of Democracy in the University of Virginia.

Marietta College
Brandon Downing

Brandon Downing is Associate Professor at Marietta College.

Ashland County Historical Society
Sara Fisher

Sara Fisher is Director of the Ashland County Historical Society.

OSU Wexner Medical Center
Amanda Flowers

Amanda Flowers is a postdoctoral fellow at OSU Wexner Medical Center.

Invisible Ground
Brian Koscho

Brian Koscho is Director of Invisible Ground.

Western Washington University
Johann Neem

Johann Neem (Professor at Western Washington University

University of Texas Austin
Ana Schwartz

Ana Schwartz is Associate Professor at the University of Texas Austin.

11th U.S. Archivist
Dr. Colleen Shogan

Dr. Colleen Shogan became the 11th Archivist of the United States in May 2023.

Michigan State University
Edward Watts

Edward Watts is a Professor at Michigan State University.