One of the things the AASLH Annual Conference is known for is its outstanding evening events.

These events allow you to connect with other attendees and provide an opportunity to see and explore the unique history organizations and locations of the host city.

You don’t want to miss the events at this year’s conference, which will be on September 6-9 in Boise, Idaho. This year’s events are generously sponsored by the Foundation for Idaho History.

Wednesday night’s event is free! Preregistration is required for all events.

Register for the Conference today! The early bird registration deadline is coming up on Friday, July 28. Register by this day to receive the best prices. Members receive the largest discount!

A Storied Soiree at the Old Idaho Penitentiary
Wednesday, September 6
The Old Idaho Penitentiary, one of Idaho’s most unique historic sites and most popular tourist destinations, gives you the opportunity to explore 101 years of Idaho and prison history (and beyond). One of only four territorial prisons open to the public in the United States, the penitentiary housed over 13,000 men and women between 1872 and 1973, becoming a museum in 1974. Guided tours and history presentations will be offered throughout the evening and will include glimpses into areas typically closed to the public. All exhibits will be open. A buffet-style meal will be provided in the historic Shirt Factory building, along with a cash bar (each attendee receives one drink ticket), and a DJ providing music. The Idaho Prison Arts Collective will contribute to the experience through unique presentations of stories from men and women who have lived and worked in Idaho’s correctional institutions. The Souvenir Confinement store will offer 20% off all purchases. In addition, a preview of the site’s upcoming interpretive reimagining will be offered. Transportation will be provided.

A Night at the Idaho State Museum
Thursday, September 7
Cost: $20, Preregistration Required
Idaho is the ancestral homeland of five distinct Indigenous groups: the Kootenai, the Coeur d’Alene, the Nez Perce, the Shoshone-Paiute, and the Shoshone-Bannock. Learn from Indigenous storytellers, celebrate Native culture through a variety of performances, and engage with Native voices from all around Idaho. Performances will be given by the Rose Creek Singers and Drummers of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Nez Perce Dancers, as well as presentations by members of luk’upsíimey “North Star” Collective, a group of Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) writers and artists. Reimagined and opened in 2018, the museum is the newest state museum in the country. Explore permanent and traveling exhibits, including the museum’s most recent traveling exhibit, Roots of Wisdom. Sustainable food will be provided by Open Table and includes one free drink ticket. You’ll receive a discount at the museum’s gift shop. The museum is a half-mile walk from the Boise Centre. Attendees are encouraged to walk, but please note on the registration form if you require transportation.

Basque-ing on the Block
Friday, September 8
Cost: $35, Preregistration Required
Learn about Basque history and culture at the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, located on Boise’s Basque Block. Boise is home to the largest concentration of Basques in the United States and the Basque Block is their social hub. The museum, Cyrus Jacobs–Uberuaga House (a historic house museum showcasing both early Boise history and the importance of Basque boardinghouses), and Anduiza Fronton (Basque handball court) will be open to visit and learn more about this vibrant community. Food and drink (cash bar, one drink ticket provided) will be catered by the Basque Market outdoors on the Block itself. The Oinkari Basque Dancers will provide lively entertainment to celebrate the last night of the 2023 conference. This venue is within a 0.2-mile walk from the Boise Centre. Attendees are encouraged to walk, but please note on the registration form if you require transportation.