Although diverse in their points of view, historians are united in their conviction that racism is a scourge on the land, which the OAH has long been committed to overcome. All OAH members must be able to participate fully and freely in its conventions. Therefore, after hearing from hundreds of OAH members and engaging in extensive discussions, the Executive Board has decided to hold its annual meeting in St. Louis as a protest convention (30 March-2 April 2000).

Despite the efforts of the OAH and other organizations, Adam's Mark, the convention hotel, has not made progress toward resolving its legal difficulties over accusations of racial discrimination toward its guests and others. The recalcitrance of the hotel has made it impossible for the OAH to conduct its international scholarly meeting there as planned. Already, many of its members and other participants have stated that they feel unwelcome and will require alternative spaces if they are to participate in the meeting.

Therefore, in an effort to have a scholarly meeting in a way that accommodates all members, the OAH will move registration, sessions, and other events out of the convention hotel as alternative venues in St. Louis are located. Already, affiliated historical organizations have relocated luncheons and receptions.

The OAH is not canceling the contract it signed in 1995 with Adam's Mark and surrendering the penalty fee to the hotel. The organization will not pay penalty fees on the grounds that the Adam's Mark made a normal convention impossible. This action may result in a heavy financial cost, but it will not inflict the devastating blow to future OAH activities that could come from cancelation at this late date.

The OAH continues to encourage Adam's Mark to sign a consent decree with the Justice Department. Should they not, a public demonstration against racial discrimination will be held at the time of the annual meeting in Luther Ely Smith Park, adjacent to the Adam's Mark Hotel and across from the Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott case began. In addition to more than 40 scholarly sessions already scheduled that deal with issues of race, there will be other opportunities for extended discussion of race and racism in American history and the role of historians as public intellectuals and teachers.

The OAH annual meeting will proceed. Executive Director Lee Formwalt and Graduate Assistant Damon Freeman will spend several days this week in St. Louis lining up alternative venues and speaking with a number of St. Louisans, especially historians and administrators at the various colleges and universities in and around St. Louis. Meanwhile, the staff at the Bloomington office will be coordinating the effort to relocate registration, sessions, receptions and other food and beverage events, as well as the book exhibit hall. Every effort will be made to keep most of the sessions and the exhibit hall in close geographical proximity.

Latest updates on the St. Louis meeting will be posted at the OAH website (http://www.oah.org). Members interested in lodging options in St. Louis should check out http://www.oah.org/meetings/2000/index.html and click on lodging. It is time for everyone to make travel plans now. This will be a conference devoted to serious scholarship, held in a way that makes all students of history welcome.

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