Since its inception in 1975, the South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (SCSECS) has provided a forum for scholars of the "long" eighteenth century (1688-1850). A regional affiliate of the American Society for Eighteenth Century Studies, SCSECS is an interdisciplinary scholarly organization that enjoys a reputation for exceptional conviviality and inclusiveness. This year, we invite you to join us at North Carolina's fabled Pinehurst Resort for our annual meeting and celebration of our fiftieth anniversary.
Founded in 1895 by the Boston philanthropist James Walker Tufts, Pinehurst served as a health resort, where the middle-class retreated from cities to recuperate from respiratory ailments. Tufts believed the “pine ozone” only found in this region of the country held curative properties. Visitors engaged in popular activities of the day such as riding, polo, lawn bowling, archery, bicycling, and tennis. Golf followed shortly. Pinehurst continues today as a world-class resort. Nestled in a late 19th-century village, it features bountiful restaurants, quaint shops and an array of activities. Guests might relax at the spa, take a carriage ride through the village, watch races at the harness track, visit the Tufts Archives, take their turn in a round of croquet, pedal through the streets of the village, or sip bourbon at the North South Bourbon Bar. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the village features beautiful well-maintained historic homes and Olmstead's signature curvilinear and concentric system of streets. It offers a peaceful atmosphere for your morning run, afternoon walk, or quiet meditative moment.
We especially encourage papers related to this year's theme: rural sports; golf, spas, and resorts; shopping; competitions; gambling; drinking; music; theatre, and any other eighteenth-century pleasures. Equally enthusiastically encouraged are papers on any long eighteenth-century idea.Those speaking on any eighteenth-century topic will be providing pleasure, hence in keeping with the theme.
Please submit proposals for panels or individual papers to the SCSECS President, Catherine Parisian, at Catherine.Parisian@uncp.edu.
Panel topic proposals are due on or before May 21, 2025. Individual paper proposals are due on or before September 25. Acceptances will be sent out on or before October 15.
Check back in May for a list of panels and updates on SCSECS 2026 at Pinehurst Resort! For now, mark your calendars and forward any questions to President Parisian.
A note about travel: Situated in the Sandhills region of North Carolina, Pinehurst is convenient to the Raleigh Airport (RDU) which is just an hour and ten-minute drive away. The resort has van service that you may reserve for a fee, or you may rent a car or reserve an Uber or similar car service.
Train Travel: Amtrak services Southern Pines. Just thirteen minutes by car from our conference venue the Carolina Hotel. Once at the station you may request an Uber or similar car service or call a local taxi.
Automobile Travel: Those driving to Pinehurst will be best served by their GPS or favorite map app.
Illustrations from Outlines of Figures, Landscapes, and Cattle etch'd by T. Rowlandson for the Use of Learners. London: S.W. Fores, 1790