ENVIRONS
Scioto County is located at the confluence of the Scioto and Ohio Rivers in south central Ohio. The county seat of Portsmouth—where southern hospitality begins—also serves as a gateway into Ohio’s 29-county Appalachian region. Scioto County-Portsmouth figures significantly in “The Art of the Ancients: the Ohio Valley,” a monumental exhibition of prehistoric Native American artifacts and mounds. The 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest (once the hunting ground of the Shawnee Indians) is located in the Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio. The forest area has earned the nickname of “the Little Smokies” because of its rugged beauty and terrain.
The recently completed U. S. Grant Bridge carries U.S. Route 23 traffic across the Ohio River. At the floodwall is the Portsmouth Floodwall Murals project that has become the largest known work of art by a single artist. Internationally-known muralist Robert Dafford has completed more than 50 historical murals—an open-air gallery 2,200 feet long and 20 feet high! Be sure to visit the murals and learn of the area’s and its people’s connections to the world.
The site for the ASA 2009 Conference is Shawnee State University (SSU) whose 50-acre campus is situated between the Ohio River and downtown Portsmouth, right next to the U. S. Grant Bridge. Previously a community college, SSU became Ohio’s 13th university in 1986. Most students come from Ohio and contiguous states. Campus buildings in which Conference activities will take place are on level ground and in close proximity to each other. SSU will be on spring break during our visit and there will be plenty of convenient parking for us on the campus.
Check these websites to learn more about the campus and the area:
Shawnee State University
http://www.shawnee.edu
Portsmouth Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
http://ohiorivertourism.org
Portsmouth Mural Wall
http://www.portsmouthmuralproducts.com
ACCOMMODATIONS
For those needing to fly to the Conference, the closest airport is the Tri-State Airport near Huntington, WV, which is about 1 ½ hours from Portsmouth. Other airports 2 ½ hours away are in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. The Local Arrangements Committee has selected several accommodations, all fairly close to Shawnee State University. Blocks of rooms are being held at several hotels/motels on a first-come, first-serve basis. Ask for the Appalachian Studies Association Conference rates.
Ramada Inn, (about 2 blocks from SSU campus), 711 Second Street, Portsmouth; $72 plus tax includes breakfast; 740-354-7711; www.ramadainnportsmouth.com.
Shawnee Lodge & Resort (Shawnee State Park, about 15 miles from downtown Portsmouth, about 20 - 30 minutes drive time), U.S. Rt. 52 to SR 125, Friendship; $80 plus tax in the Lodge; $129 plus tax for cabins (very nice cabins for 6 - 8 people); 740-858-6621; www.shawneelodgeresort.com. Rooms released Nov. 20, so reserve early!
Holiday Inn Express (about 3 miles north of downtown Portsmouth off U.S. Route 23), 5100 Old Scioto Trail; $85 plus tax; breakfast; 740-353-3232; www.hiexpress.com/portsmouthoh.
Super 8 Motel (about 3 miles north of downtown Portsmouth), 4266 U.S. Hwy. 23; $55 plus tax (subject to change in 2009); breakfast; 740-353-8880.
AmeriStay (formerly a Days Inn, recently renovated; about 3 miles north of downtown Portsmouth), 3762 U.S. Hwy. 23; $55 plus tax; breakfast; 740-354-2851.
Annual Conference 
