Ponca SP to Host Missouri River History Conference Sept. 4-7

[Bumpus]

NGPC news release, 6/30/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Missouri River History Conference “Steamers, Sandbars, and Snags – Reflections of the Steamboat Era on the Missouri” is scheduled for Sept. 4-7 at Ponca State Park (SP).

The conference will bring together several well-known speakers to talk about the history of the Missouri River steamboats. Some of the topics will include: wrecks and recoveries, navigation along the Missouri River, Native American reflections and perspectives, economics and transshipments of the American Fur Company, and the Bertrand Recovery Project.

Breakout sessions include options of touring the North Alabama steamboat wreck, kayaking along the Missouri River, and/or viewing of artifacts on display within the Education Center.

Speakers for the conference are: Tim Cowman, Dr. Robert Schneiders, Albert Le Beau III, Mike Casler, Rob Bozell, Dr. William Lass, Dr. Larry Bradley, Jim Peterson, Dr. Annalies Corbin, Frank Vyzralek, Julie Reilly and Jennifer Stafford.

The cost of the entire conference, including meals, is $80. One-day registration is $50 and a half-day session is $25. Separate charges will be applied to breakout session options. Musical entertainment will be provided after the evening meals at no additional charge.

The event will be sponsored by the: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska State Historical Society, Missouri River Institute/University of South Dakota, Better Ponca Foundation, and the National Park Service.

For more information and registration, contact Ponca SP at 402-755-2284 or jennifer.wolff@ngpc.ne.gov.