The 31st annual NASS Conference was held in Louisville KY from June 25-28 2026. Thursday evening opened the conference with a social gathering and the traditional "grab bag" of gifts. Friday's bus tour of sundials was highlighted by two events: (1) Lots of rain, though the sund did come out briefly at 3:55pm for viewing the last sundial of the tour.
Dial Tour in the rain at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary
and (2) an impressive tour and background presentation of the Kentucky Vietnam Memorial. This large sundial was designed by Helm Roberts such that the names of the fallen have the tip of the gnomon shadow touch each name on the day and year of their passing. Missing in action are located on the south side of the gnomon where no shadow is ever cast. The group photo was taken at the memorial.
NASS Conference Attendees at the Kentucky Vietnam Memorial: (Back Row L to R) Paul Ulbrich, Douglas Gennetten, Fred Sawyer, Jeff Brewer, George Wilson, Jack Aubert, Tom Kreyche, Kate Aubert, Lizzy Longsworth, Will Grant, Bryan Preas, Mike Moghadam, George Perkins, Marvin Taylor, Bo Manning, Phil Sawyer, Dean Conners, Mark Montgomery, Zoon Nguyen, Susan Haynes, Evan Boxer-Cook, Marc Boone, Bob Manning, Steve Johnson, (Front Row L to R) Betsy Wilson, Jeff Kretsch, Frank King, Kathy Preas, Bob Kellogg, Pam Morris, Phylis Montgomery. (Photo by Beth Avey)
The two days of presentations stretched the gamut of sundial types: Evan Boxer-Cook on laser cut astrolabes and ring dials, Tom Kreysche on solar compasses in the Arctic, and Fred Sawyer and Bob Manning on an analysis of the Cave Hill Recliner Shwab Family Memorial dial among the many presentations. Gift sundials included a small card dial by Roger Harris, and elegant fold-out horizontal dial by Douglas Gennetten, and a 3D printed Foster-Lambert dial engineered by Bob Kellogg
The NASS Conference on Sunday held the Annual General Meeting. President Fred Sawyer and Treasurer Mark Montgomery have offered to stand for another term: 2027-2028. During 2026/2027 the NASS board intends to review the NASS By-Laws, expecting to provide opportunities for more people to become involved.
