Call for Proposals: Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium 2025

A graphic depicting an old photo of a surveyor with the text "Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium, Call for Proposals"

2025 Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium - " Histories: Beyond the Written Word" 

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) invites scholars, historians, researchers, and history enthusiasts to submit proposals for the 2025 Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium in the theme of "Histories Beyond the Written Word." This year's symposium will explore the rich tapestry of history told through non-traditional sources, shedding light on the diverse and dynamic ways we can understand our past.

We seek proposals that explore history through oral histories, traditions, art, photographs, movies, architecture, geography, and other nontraditional materials. Our goal is to celebrate and highlight the invaluable contributions of these sources to preserving and interpreting history. 

As part of the 2025 symposium, PPLD Regional History & Genealogy staff are exploring the experiences of Jim Bates, a wartime photographer and Palmer High School graduate who worked for the Alexander Film Company. Through the lens of his camera, we will delve into Bates' unique perspective, focusing on his artistic choices and techniques. By critiquing his work, we will also gain insight into what his experiences must have been like as a filmmaker at war. This project is just one example of the many types of non-textual submissions we are seeking. 

Submissions could include a short film, a presentation with paper, or a PowerPoint presentation to be presented online (20 minutes, 10 minutes for students). 

Compensation payment will be $500 for selected participants, $150 for students.  Selected submissions will be included in PPLD’s first annual online journal entitled, “Online Journal of Pikes Peak Regional History.” 

Send proposals by Sat., Jan. 11, 2025. 

By email: jjarrell@ppld.org

By mail: Pikes Peak Library District 
P.O. Box 1579
Colorado Springs, CO 80901 

Proposal Guidelines

Please include all six of these requirements in your submission. 

Theme: Beyond the Written Word 

  1. TITLE (5 – 15 words):
    A descriptive title for your proposed presentation/film.
  2. SUMMARY (500 – 1,000 words)
    A brief summary of the topic covered in your proposed presentation/film.
  3. ABSTRACT (1,000 – 1,500 words)
    A summary that includes your thesis and all of the supporting arguments and conclusions for your proposed presentation/film.
  4. SOURCES (50 – 100 words)
    A general list of primary and secondary research sources supporting your proposed presentation/film.
  5. SHORT BIOGRAPHY (75 – 100 words)
    A brief description of you.
  6. RESUME (one page)
    A resume with relevant educational and research accomplishments, mailing and email addresses, and phone number.