During 1958 considerable interest in an annual research meeting was indicated by persons actively engaged in research on leptospirosis. In order to get this project started a number of people suggested that the Animal Disease and Parasite Research Division of ARS accept the responsibility for calling a meeting. Accordingly, some thirty individuals who were known to have been working in this field were contacted and the meeting was held immediately before the Research Workers Conference at a time when many people were to be in Chicago. It was hoped that this would simplify attendance for those interested.

For over forty years, American Leptospirosis Research Conference (ALRC) meetings have been an opportunity for microbiologists, epidemiologists, veterinarians, clinicians, basic researchers, public health and industry representatives working in the leptospirosis field to meet together. As stated in the proceedings of the first ALRC meeting, held at the Hamilton Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, November 29 and 30, 1958, "The purpose of the Leptospirosis Research Conference is to provide a place for persons actively engaged in leptospirosis research to openly discuss current research results and problems. Discussions are to be informal and the information divulged in the discussion is confidential in nature."

The collection contains annual meeting records, history files, by-laws, minutes, and a report.

The collection is container listed only.