A majority of the four-day conference will utilize facilities at Drake University (www.drake.edu), a private, coeducational university founded in 1881 on a 120-acre campus. Drake University is in Des Moines, Iowa's capital and largest city. Conveniently located at the intersection of Interstates 35 and 80, Des Moines is an easy drive from several major cities, including Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Omaha. The Des Moines International Airport (www.dsmairport.com), which is served by several major airlines, is only a 15-minute drive from campus. The Greyhound bus station (www.greyhound.com) is approximately five minutes from campus.

In addition to sessions using Drake's facilities, we'll also include a variety of interesting and informative workshops and trips to nearby museums, historic sites, businesses and attractions. Here's what to expect, and some of the choices you have.

Travel Information

Conference Headquarters

Map of Conference Locations

Lodging

Meals/Alcohol

Contacts

Travel Information:
Drake University is in Des Moines, Iowa's capital and largest city. Conveniently located at the intersection of Interstates 35 and 80, Des Moines is an easy drive from several major cities, including Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Omaha.

By Air
The Des Moines International Airport, which is served by several major airlines (www.dsmairport.com/Travel_Info/Airline_Info.htm) including American, Northwest and United, is only a 15-minute drive from Drake University.

Car Rental
The Des Moines International Airport is serviced by most major car rental agencies (www.dsmairport.com/Travel_Info/Rental_Cars.htm) including AVIS, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty, Alamo, and Dollar.

Directions to the Drake Campus

From the East and North
At the northeast edge of Des Moines, I-80 and I-35 join and go west around the city while I-235 goes through Des Moines. Take I-235 west for about six miles to the 31st Street exit, which is past the downtown area. You will see a sign that says, "Drake University next right." Exit I-235 at the 31st Street exit and go right (north). Travel approximately five blocks on 31st Street to the stop light at University Avenue. At University Avenue, turn right and go one block to the Olmsted Center parking lot on the left (north) side of the University.

From the West and South
At the southwest edge of Des Moines, I-80 and I-35 join and go east around the city while I-235 goes through Des Moines. Take I-235 east to the 35th Street exit in Des Moines. Be sure you have passed the 63rd Street and 42nd Street exits. There will be a sign on the 42nd Street overpass that says, "Drake University next right." Exit at 35th Street and turn left (north). Go north approximately four blocks to the "T" intersection at University Avenue. Turn right (east) at the stop sign and go about six blocks to the Olmsted Center parking lot.

Conference Headquarters:
A majority of the formal sessions are scheduled at Drake University (www.drake.edu). Several large group events - 1st Timers Reception, "Salted, Smoked & Pickled" Event, Welcome/Keynote Speaker, Annual Lunch/Meeting, President's Banquet, etc. - as well as the Registration/Information Desk, Vendor Area and Hospitality Room, will be located inside the Olmsted Center, Drake University's modern conference facility. Concurrent sessions will be held in nearby Meredith Hall, a two-story classroom/lecture hall building.

Map of Conference Locations:
Drake University provides an interactive map to view their entire campus. You can get to this map using the following address: http://www.drake.edu/about/campusmap.html.

Lodging:
The main lodging for the conference will be at Morehouse Hall and Jewett Hall, two dormitories located on campus at Drake University, which is close to Olmsted Hall (Registration/Information Desk, Vendor Area and large events), Meredith Hall (concurrent sessions) and Hubbell Dining Hall (food service). This is your basic, institutional dorm room with single beds and window air conditioners. Morehouse Hall (58 double rooms and 22 single rooms) and Jewett Hall have three floors each and we will try to assign rooms so that there are either same-sex floors or same-sex sections. There are two restroom and shower areas per floor. The cost for lodging at Morehouse Hall or Jewett Hall is $17/per person/night (double occupancy) or $20/per person/night (single room - limited availability). There is also a one-time $12 per person linen service charge (2 flat sheets, 2 towels, 2 washcloths, 1 pillow and 1 pillowcase). No alcohol is allowed in the dormitories.

Hotel lodging is available at the Holiday Inn Express Des Moines at Drake University
(www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hpt/DSMIA) located only ½ block from campus. This two-floor, 52-room hotel offers smoking or non-smoking rooms with complimentary breakfast bar for $79 plus tax per night/per room. Be sure to ask for the "Living History Farms room rate" when you call for reservations 1-800-465-4329 or 515-255-4000. Those attendees interested in staying at the Holiday Inn Express should contact the hotel as soon as possible to make a reservation.

For those participants with their own transportation to and from Drake University, another lodging option is Hotel Fort Des Moines (www.hotelfortdesmoines.com), built in 1919 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 223-room hotel has a "Living History Farms room rate" of $89 plus tax per night/per room. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-800-532-1466 or 515/243-1161. The hotel is a 10-15 minute drive from Drake University.

Meals:
Full registration includes meals or meal vouchers for all meals from Sunday evening's reception through Friday's breakfast. Day registration includes lunch and breaks. Vegetarian menus will be available - please mark the appropriate box on the registration form to indicate this option for yourself. Sodexho Campus Services is providing all the meals served at Drake University. Hubbell Dining Hall, a short walk from Morehouse Hall (dormitory), offers a cafeteria/food stations arrangement for breakfast and lunch. Sodexho's catering service will provide meals for the Annual Lunch/Meeting and President's Banquet.

Meals provided during site trips/tours and evening events will vary and include box lunches, cafeterias (using food vouchers), or catered lunches/dinners.

Snack breaks between concurrent sessions will offer a variety of beverages and cookies/brownies. The Hospitality Room provides soft drinks and a cash bar.

Alcohol:
All alcohol served at Drake University must be purchased through and served by Sodexho Campus Services. Wine and beer are included at several evening functions during the conference. At other times, a cash bar or drink ticket system is provided. The Hospitality Room will offer soft drinks and a cash bar. Drake University does not allow alcohol in their dormitories.

Contacts:
All of us at Living History Farms are looking forward to hosting the 2005 ALHFAM Conference. Watch this web site and the ALHFAM Bulletin for updates and additional information. Any questions, comments or suggestions can be emailed to alhfam@lhf.org or directed to the following conference committee members:

Nancy Wente, Conference Co-Chair
515-278-5286, ext. 119
nwente@lhf.org

Janet Clair Dennis, Program Chair
515-278-5286, ext. 124
jdennis@lhf.org

Barb Chambers, Local Arrangements Chair
515-278-5286, ext. 125
bchambers@lhf.org