A History of NILAS
1989
- Nature in Legend and Story started on an informal basis by Dr. Boria Sax
and Dr. Noel Ortega at Pace University, as an adjunct to the Modern
Languages Department.
1990
- First Annual Conference at Pace University with funding from the University, "Folklore and Fantasy." Open to the public, free of charge.
1991
- Second Annual Conference, Pace University, "Fantastic Beasts."
1992
- Third Annual Conference, Pace University, "Imaginary Worlds."
1993
- Fourth Annual Conference, Pace University, "Talking Animals." Funding augmented by grants from the Culture and Animals Foundation and the New York Council for the Humanities.
1993
- Storytelling series, "Tell Me a Story," started at Flint Park Playhouse, Larchmont under the coordination of Laura J. Bobrow with Mayor Cheryl W. Lewy as liaison to the city. Open to the public, free of charge.
1994
- "Tell Me a Story" moved to Purchase College, Department of Humanities, Professor Lee W. Schlesinger, liaison. Funding augmented by a grant from the Janet H. Stein Memorial Fund, administered through Purchase College.
- Fifth Annual Conference at Purchase College, "Enchanted Gardens", extended to two days, Maxine Kumin, Pulitzer Prize winning poet, keynoter. Funding from New York Council for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, and private donors.
- Formal creation of organization with by-laws, membership. Board of Directors expanded.
- Dr. Boria Sax named first President. Board of Advisors created. Local Board created.
1995
- NILAS incorporated as a nonprofit organization in New York State, 02/05.
- NILAS granted tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3), 07/17.
- Publication of first Nature in Legend and Story Newsletter, Dr. Thomas Dean, editor.
- "Tell Me a Story" series continued at Purchase College and New York Botanical Garden.
- Sixth Annual Conference sponsored by New York Botanical Garden, "The Magic of the Forest".
1996
- Performance highlights: "Tell Me About" series (for children) begun at Wave Hill, Riverdale, NY. Storytelling Concert at Sunnyside, Tarrytown, NY. "Tell Me About" storytellers take part in First Night New York City.
- Seventh Annual Conference at Wainwright House, Rye, NY, coordinated by Laura J. Bobrow and in cooperation with Rye storytellers' Guild, Westchester Storytellers' Guild, African Culture Heritage Circle, and local environmentalists:
- "Living with Animals in an Urban Setting." Keynoter: Dr. Marion W. Copeland.
1997
- Beginning of the H-NILAS Listserver on the H-Net, sponsored by the National Council for the Humanities and run out of Michigan State University, 06/01/97.
1998
- Slide Lectures and Storytelling on "Trees in Myth and Legend" at the Bronx Campus of Mercy College, 10/07/98-10/10/98.
- Continued activity on the H-NILAS Listserv and the NILAS Web Page. By-laws amended as NILAS ceases to be a membership organization, while retaining its goals and Board of Directors.
1999
- The "Stories for the Seasons" web site was created to offer a selection of stories for teachers and tellers; plus an extensive bibliography and list of web links.
2000
2001
- NILAS's newsletter is revived and issues its first issue in December, with David Aftandilian as editor.
- NILAS hosts its 1st biannual conference in Davis, CA.
2002
- NILAS again becomes a membership organization.
- Cathy Mosley becomes president, David Aftandilian becomes vice-president, and David Anderson become Treasurer/Secretary.
- David Berridge opens the first overseas chapter of NILAS in England.
- Sara Keating become H-NILAS's Web Editor.
- NILAS became a member of The Orion Society's Grassroots Network. The web page is - http://www.orionsociety.org/pages/ogn/index.cfm.