The National Humanities Alliance’s (NHA) 2007 Conference was held March 26-27 in Washington, DC. The event began in the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center with a policy forum and roundtable discussion featuring federal agency representatives. Topics included: capacity building and infrastructure support, fellowships and resources for scholars, public programs, collaborative research, preservation, education, international education and cultural exchange, and the humanities and technology.

Dr. Bruce Cole, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, addressed the attendees, discussing new initiatives, and answering questions from participants. The morning session concluded with the National Humanities Alliance’s annual business meeting for member representatives.

At a luncheon sponsored by The Phi Beta Kappa Society, Dr. Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, delivered a keynote address to 150 participants. Dr. Weinstein expressed admiration for the work of humanities advocates and answered questions from the audience.

At the conclusion of the afternoon’s legislative briefing and advocacy training, attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour sponsored by The History Channel. Attendees heard remarks from Dr. Libby O’Connell, Chief Historian of the History Channel, and Senior Vice President, Corporate Outreach, A&E Television Networks.

On Tuesday, March 27, 112 humanities advocates visited more than 150 House and Senate offices representing 26 states and the District of Columbia. These grassroots advocates distributed issue briefs and state grant data, and asked members of Congress to support increased funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

The Humanities Advocacy Day 2007 Source Book is available online.

Here you will find historical funding data, recent grants by state, and issue briefs prepared by the National Humanities Alliance.