For the academic year 2012-13, the John A. Adams '71 Center for Military History and Strategic Analysis at the Virginia Military Institute will offer a grant to support dissertation research in the history of the U.S. military during the Cold War era.  Entitled the Adams - Collins Dissertation Prize, the award of $3000 recognizes the generosity of VMI alumni John A. Adams and George Collins, Jr., in furthering Cold War studies.

The inaugural winner of the Adams-Collins Dissertation Prize last year was Mr. Faith Tokatli of Istanbul, Turkey who is writing about "Turkish-American Military Cooperation and Transformation of Turkish Military in the Cold War, 1947-1954."

To be considered, eligible graduate students should submit a brief proposal delineating their doctoral research, its relevance to the U.S. military during the Cold War, a proposed time-line, and their credentials.

Deadline for submissions:  31 March 2012

Direct materials electronically to:
Dr. Jim Adams, Director
540-464-7447/7338
adamsjl@vmi.edu  

Please visit the John A. Adams '71 Center for Military History website for more information.

7-12 Jun 2012, National Museum of Bermuda

Commemorating the 200^th Anniversary of the War of 1812, this conference will examine Bermuda's vital role during this conflict. Bermuda became the Royal Navy's warm water North Atlantic base in the 1790s, supporting trade routes and colonies after Britain lost control of its American colonies and ports during the American War for Independence. Following the French and Napoleonic wars, persisting tensions with America and France escalated into maritime trade disagreements and ultimately full-scale naval conflict. Strategically ideal owing to its geography, Bermuda was the natural naval focus for the American blockade and the burning of Washington, benefiting economically as a supply base and prize court. Well after the peace treaty, Bermuda continued to be highly valued, and was indeed enlarged by the Royal Navy. The dockyard had a long history until it closed in 1951, so this is just one, albeit an important aspect of Bermuda's naval and wider maritime heritage.   

The dockyard and military defences developed at Bermuda during this intense period survive largely intact today and arguably merit World Heritage status. The National Museum of Bermuda and Naval Dockyards Society anticipate that these monuments and the Atlantic context of the War of 1812 will inspire new histories and connections during the conference. We look forward to this joint mission to promote dockyard history and heritage through a notable conference and tour.

The international conference on the theme of Bermuda Dockyard and the War of 1812 will be enhanced by Bermuda heritage tours, enriched by the expertise of National Museum of Bermuda Executive Director Dr Edward Harris and other local heritage professionals and tourism ambassadors.   

Bermuda is a beautiful group of islands with a stunning coastline and a unique maritime heritage spanning five centuries. NDS conference/tours offer a niche quality experience and academic synergy, combined with value for money. We looked carefully into accommodation options and selected the Rosedon Hotel in the capitol city of Hamilton which is close to the ferry to Dockyard and other locations and receives good reviews.

Programme:

• Thursday 7 June 1^st night: Arrival (UK delegates arrive from London Gatwick 18.20 on BA2233)
• Friday 8 June Day 1 Hamilton walking and harbour tours
• Saturday 9 June Day 2 Conference at the National Museum of Bermuda
• Sunday 10 June Day 3 Dockyard tour
• Monday 11 June Day 4  St George's tour
• Tuesday 12 June Day 5 Free time; departure (UK delegates depart at 20.10 on BA2232 to London Gatwick)
• Additional events may be arranged for some evenings

Please visit the Bermuda Dockyard & the War of 1812 website to learn more.