Northfield Historical Society Hosts James-Younger Academic Symposium

Strategically timed to coincide with the James-Younger Gang Annual Reunion and Convention in Northfield, the Northfield Historical Society is presenting its first James-Younger Symposium Saturday , October 1st in the conference room in the lower level of the Archer House.

The symposium supports and encourages scholarly research on the James-Younger Gang and their impact on American history, with emphasis on the Northfield Raid. The annual event is a venue for the exchange of ideas, theories and information to further promote accurate scholarship.

The symposium begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration and coffee. Click the image on the right for a full schedule or continue reading. At 9:30, Robert Barr Smith, a law professor at the University of Oklahoma and author of several books and articles on military and western history, will speak on "why the raid went bad" - from the viewpoint of the gang.

Following a brief break, Eric James, president of the James Preservation Trust, will speak on "politics in the James family" - responding to author T. J. Stiles charge that Jesse James was a terrorist.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by a panel discussion from 1-2:30 p.m. focusing on "how and why the gang chose Northfield." The panel, moderated by Chip DeMann, will include noted experts, Robet Barr Smith, Eric James, Kirk Ort, Earl Weinmann, Donna Rose and Jack Koblas.

Click the image on the left for particpant bios.

Following the symposium the NHS museum will be open for guided tours and a "learning" bank raid renenactment will take place on Division Street at 4 p.m.

The cost for the symposium and tours is $20 in advance, or $25 same day.

For more information contact the Northfield Historical Society at 507-645-9268.