{"product_id":"1955-a-a-tri-state-conference-8th-annual-program-colorado-springs-colorado","title":"1955 A.A. Tri-State Conference — 8th Annual Program — Colorado Springs, Colorado","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOffered here is an original program from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEighth Annual Tri-State Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, held May 20–22, 1955, at the historic Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHosted by the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ePikes Peak Group of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/span\u003e, the three-day gathering brought together A.A. members and their families for meetings, speakers, fellowship, business sessions, a family group luncheon, and a public closing meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe front of the program features a period photograph of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAntlers Hotel with Pikes Peak and the Front Range rising behind it\u003c\/span\u003e, creating an especially attractive piece of early Colorado A.A. ephemera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Eighth Annual Tri-State Conference\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe conference opened Friday, May 20, with registration and informal “Get Acquainted” sessions, followed by afternoon and evening speaker meetings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe weekend program provides a fascinating snapshot of A.A. fellowship during the mid-1950s. Presentations included such period titles as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I’m a Drunk”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“What AA Has to Offer the Old-Timer”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“The Spiritual Side of AA”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Reminiscences of a Rum Pot”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“They Called Me Wino — and Lots of Other Things, Too”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“What Alcohol Means to an Irishman”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“AA As I Understand It”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“AA — Help Without Conditions”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSpeakers traveled from communities throughout the region and beyond, including Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma and California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFamily Group \u0026amp; Women’s Meetings\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSaturday’s schedule included two separate noon gatherings:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlcoholic Ladies Luncheon and Meeting\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFamily Group Luncheon and Meeting\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe Family Group gathering was chaired by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eClara Wilson of Denver\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThese events provide an interesting record of the expanding role of family-oriented recovery activities alongside A.A. during the 1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A. in 1955\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe date gives this program additional historical context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe conference took place in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMay 1955\u003c\/span\u003e, just over a month before Alcoholics Anonymous held its landmark \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e20th Anniversary International Convention in St. Louis\u003c\/span\u003e, where A.A.‘s co-founders and early leadership marked the Fellowship’s first two decades and Bill W. formally turned stewardship of the Fellowship over to its General Service Conference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis Colorado Springs gathering therefore survives from an important transitional year in the development of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside the Conference\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe program contains practical details that give a particularly personal glimpse into an A.A. conference of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eRegistration was \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e$4.00 for “alcoholics and non-alcoholics alike.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConference headquarters were located in Room 451 of the Antlers Hotel, while attendees were promised:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“The pot is always full at the entrance to the General Palmer Room. Grab a few doughnuts and a steaming cup of coffee anytime you like.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eLiterature displays were provided through the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eUtah State Board on Alcoholism\u003c\/span\u003e and the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eKansas State Commission on Alcoholism\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSaturday evening concluded with a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Grand Ball and Hoedown,”\u003c\/span\u003e while Sunday’s activities moved to the Colorado Springs City Auditorium for coffee and a meeting open to the public.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eItem Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEvent:\u003c\/b\u003e Eighth Annual Tri-State Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDates:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e May 20–22, 1955\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Colorado Springs, Colorado\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVenue:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Antlers Hotel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHost:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Pikes Peak Group of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Stapled conference program\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContents:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Complete three-day schedule, speaker meetings, Family Group activities, conference information and Serenity Prayer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCover:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Period image of the Antlers Hotel and surrounding mountains\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe program remains \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ecomplete and in Good vintage condition\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThere is general age toning, handling wear, scattered light soiling and several horizontal creases from previous folding and storage. The covers show edge and corner wear, and the original stapled binding shows wear around the staples. Interior pages exhibit some creasing, small marks and localized wear, but remain complete and readily legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe photographic front cover remains attractive and presents well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most complete representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRegional conference programs such as this preserve a side of A.A. history that is often absent from formally published literature—the actual meetings, speakers, social activities and fellowship experienced by members at the local and regional level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis example is particularly appealing for its \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e1955 date, Colorado Springs setting, attractive Antlers Hotel cover, extensive three-day program, and documentation of both A.A. and Family Group activities\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAn interesting piece for collections focused on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eearly Alcoholics Anonymous, Colorado A.A. history, regional A.A. conferences, family recovery history, or A.A. ephemera.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67575178428658,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/D86326D6-3D98-4FBD-A68D-D624E951624B.jpg?v=1790483428","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/1955-a-a-tri-state-conference-8th-annual-program-colorado-springs-colorado","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}