In 1939, a group of Conference members, chaired by Christopher C. Crittenden, director of the North Carolina Department of Archives and History, proposed the creation of an independent entity.

Its job would be to better coordinate the activities of historical societies and stimulate the writing and teaching of state and local history in North America.

A series of instructional articles called Technical Leaflets are published quarterly and distributed with History News.

This program helps small- and mid-sized history museums, historic sites and houses, including all-volunteer ones, assess policies and practices, manage daily operations and plan for the future.

[8] AASLH sponsors, advocates, and lobbies on behalf of state and local history at the national level through strategic partnerships with several organizations.