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2026 Awards Reservation Form With Keynote Fillable

NARROWSBURG – Internationally recognized historian and historiographer John Conway will deliver a keynote address focusing on the “Semiquincentennial in the Upper Delaware River Valley” at the Upper Delaware Council’s 38th Annual River Valley Awards on September 13 at Central House Family Resort in Beach Lake, PA.

Award nominations are being accepted until August 5 and reservations for the public banquet are due by September 1. Forms are posted on www.upperdelawarecouncil.org.

John Conway was named official Sullivan County, NY Historian in 1993 and has held the position nearly twice as long as any of his seven predecessors since 1933.
He has written thousands of newspaper columns, dozens of magazine articles, and nine books.

Conway has discussed Catskills history on radio and television shows and podcasts in several countries, and averages more than 50 speaking engagements a year, talking about Sullivan County’s storied history to students, service organizations, and public gatherings.

He was a founding member of the non-profit history education group, The Delaware Company, and has served as president since its 2012 inception. Among other activities, The Delaware Company operates Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History in Narrowsburg, NY and coordinates the annual commemoration of the Revolutionary War Battle of Minisink.

Conway received the UDC’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award, for which the presentation noted, “John is accurately regarded as the most authoritative source for Sullivan County history, including the Upper Delaware River Valley. His lectures, tours, and publications are coveted in both NY and PA for his extensive knowledge and engaging storytelling on a seemingly endless number of creative subjects.”

John lives in Barryville with his wife Debra (who is the Town of Highland Historian), and their Newfoundland dog, Quill.

The Sunday, Sept. 13, River Valley Awards ceremony will kick off with a 3 p.m. reception offering exhibits, appetizers, and a cash bar; followed by a 4 p.m. buffet dinner that will feature prime rib, chicken marsala, shrimp scampi over pasta, numerous side dishes, and dessert; Conway’s keynote address at 5 p.m.; then culminate with the presentation of awards. Honorees will be announced in advance.

Tickets are $42 each for payment by checks and cash or $43 for online payment at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/upperdelawarecouncil.

Please contact the UDC’s Narrowsburg office at info@upperdelawarecouncil.org or (845) 252-3022 to make reservations.