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67th Annual RMMLA Convention ~ Vancouver, Washington, USA October 10-12, 2013

Columbia River Gorge from Cape Horn (20 mi. east of Vancouver, Washington)

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, on the north bank of the Columbia River, Vancouver, Washington USA is as naturally beautiful as it is diverse, with a colorful history, recreational activities, charming shops, extraordinary eateries, a burgeoning wine region, excellent breweries, affordable attractions, and great hospitality. Vancouver is located directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Coast beaches are less than 90 miles to the west. The Cascade Mountain Range rises on the east. Mount St. Helen's National Volcanic Monument and Mt. Hood are less than two hours away. The spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area lies 30 minutes to the east, as is the Bonneville Dam and the Bonneville Hot Springs. Vancouver combines the excitement of a major metropolitan area with small-town charm and abundant recreational opportunities.

General Information

Thank you for your interest in the 67th annual RMMLA convention, which will be held from October 10-12, 2013 at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, WASHINGTON. Vancouver is right on the Columbia River at the entrance to the Columbia River Gorge, and is right across the river from Portland, Oregon. The closest airport is Portland International Airport (PDX). Click HERE for driving directions to the hotel.

We are really looking forward to this convention in Vancouver, Washington , USA, and hope that you join us.

Our thanks to our local hosts:

• Washington State University, Pullman: Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures and Department of English
• Washington State University, Vancouver: College of Arts and Sciences and Office of the Academic Affairs

A few intersting historical facts about Vancouver:

• For thousands of years, the Vancouver area was home to native people who flourished on the bounty of forest and river. Ilchee, known as "Moon Girl" was the daughter of Chief Comcomly, the "one-eyed chief" of the Chinook Tribe, and befriender not only of Lewis and Clark, but also of the early settlement at Astoria. In 1811 Ilchee married Astorian Duncan McDougal, chief factor of John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company, and later married Chief Casino (often seen as "Casanov"), a high ranking chief of the Chinook Tribe. A statue of Ilchee is located on Vancouver's Riverfront Renaissance Walk.
• In May, 1792, American trader/sailor Robert Gray became the first non-native to enter the fabled "Great River of the West," the Columbia River. Later that year, British Lt. William Broughton, serving under Capt. George Vancouver, explored 100 miles upriver. Along the way, he named a point of land along the shore in honor of his commander.
• In 1806, American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark camped near the Vancouver waterfront on the return leg of their famed western expedition. Lewis characterized the area as "the only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains."
• In 1825, the northwest headquarters of the Hudson’s Bay Company was moved from Astoria, Washington to a more favorable setting upriver. The site was named after Point Vancouver on Broughton’s original map. Fort Vancouver was thus born.
• For many years, Fort Vancouver was the center of all fur trading in the Pacific Northwest. It was also a center of British dominion over the Oregon Territory. In 1846, American control was extended north to the 49th parallel. The northwest became part of the United States.
• In 1849, American troops arrived to establish Columbia (later Vancouver) Barracks. It served as military headquarters for much of the Pacific Northwest. The neighboring settlement was named "the City of Columbia."
• Finally, in 1857, the City of Vancouver was incorporated. Through the rest of the century, Vancouver steadily developed. In 1908, the first rail line east along the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge reached Vancouver. In 1910, a railroad bridge was opened south across the Columbia, connecting Vancouver and Portland, Oregon. In 1917, the Interstate Bridge was completed.
• During World War I, the site later named Pearson Field was the location of the world's largest spruce cut-up mill. It cut raw timber into the lumber used to build the planes which helped win the war in Europe. During World War II, Vancouver’s Kaiser Shipyard built a variety of craft that contributed greatly to America’s war effort.

And a few ideas about what to do while in Vancouver:

• Walking Map of Downtown Vancouver, Washington
• Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge BirdFest, October 11-13
• Vancouver Farmer's Market, Saturdays 9-3 & Sundays 10-3 in Esther Short Park across from Hilton
• Vancouver Tourism Office Guide
• What to Do Guide
• Visit Vancouver Great Itineraries

Fort Vancouver Historical Village

Captain George Vancouver Statue

Grant House (restaurant inside) on Officer's Row

From its long and colorful history, Vancouver boasts these many special distinctions:

• Headquarters of Hudson's Bay Company (established 1825)
• Oldest permanent non-native settlement in Pacific Northwest (1825)
• Oldest living apple tree in Pacific Northwest (planted 1826)
• First sawmill in Pacific Northwest (1827)
• Oldest public square in Pacific Northwest (Esther Short Park, 1855 - opposite Hilton Hotel)
• Notable soldiers who served at Vancouver Barracks:
  • Gen. Ulysses S. Grant
  • Gen. George McClellan
  • Gen. Philip Sheridan
  • Gen. O.O. Howard
  • Gen. George C. Marshall
• One of the oldest continuously-operated airports in the country (Pearson Field, 1905-present)
• World’s largest spruce lumber mill for airplane construction during World War I
• Pearson Field, landing site of first transpolar flight (Soviet, 1937)
• Major shipbuilding center during World War II
• Vancouver honored with "All-America City" distinction (1957 and 1987)

Columbia River Boats & Interstate Bridge between Washington & Oregon

Call for Papers & Paper Proposals Our CALL FOR PAPERS for the convention is always available in mid-November for the following year. Browse the categories to find a session(s) in your interest area and email a proposal to a session chair. March 1 is the deadline for submission of one-page paper proposals to session chairs of all Regular, Special and Affiliate Sessions listed in the CFP.

Chairs have been asked to notify all those who submitted proposals of their acceptance or rejection preferably by March 15, but not later than March 31. If you submitted a proposal and have not heard back from the chair by early April, please email rmmla@rmmla.org. All requests for computer projection equipment and/or for particular scheduling MUST be made by MAY 1 (email rmmla@rmmla.org). Late requests will not be considered. Visit General Convention Guidelines for more info.

Esther Short Park, Bell Tower & Hilton Hotel

Special Topic Sessions Every year we invite RMMLA members to propose Special Topic Sessions, especially those highlighting the West and/or Rocky Mountain topics. Click "Special Topic Sessions - How To" for information on how to propose an STS and the approval process.

Camas Meadows Golf w/Mt Hood in background (6 mi. east of Vancouver)

Pendleton Woolen Mill (6 mi. east of Vancouver)

Mark your calendars every year in October for the exciting RMMLA conventions and check this web site regularly for updates on future conventions -- here in Vancouver, Washington in 2013 and in Boise, Idaho in 2014.

Renaissance Riverwalk along Columbia River

Ilchee Statue

RMMLA is an organization for its members. You are asked to be current in your dues by APRIL 1 to attend the convention, present a paper, or have your name included in the convention program. Thank you in advance for your support of this policy.

Pearson Air Museum

Fort Vancouver

Cathlapotle Plankhouse, a full-scale Chinookan Plankhouse, located on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (12 mi. north of Vancouver).

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