Helen G. Brudner, Ph.D.
Associate Director, School of Political and International Studies, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Our Daughters, the Soldiers
This is a narrative about the trials and triumphs of women who have served and are serving in the United States military. With an emphasis on World War II and current times, it is about how they were perceived and how they perceived themselves, the unique events, experiences and roles they played and continue to play. Oral history materials highlight the discussion.
Ian C. Burrow, Ph.D., RPA
Vice President/Principal Archaeologist, Hunter Research
Medieval Castles of England and Wales
This lecture presents a slide-illustrated introduction to castles as represented by the may surviving examples in England and Wales. A chronological survey emphasizes changes through time, and what to look for when visiting a castle.
Nancy C. Carnevale, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of History, Montclair State University
Ellis Island: Myth and Reality
What was it really like for the immigrants who came through Ellis Island? What do their stories reveal about turn-of-the-twentieth-century America? This lecture explores the lived experience of immigrants as they arrived in America and how the social, political, and intellectual climate of the times shaped that experience. Some popular myths about Ellis Island, such as name changing, are reconsidered.
Angus Kress Gillespie, Ph.D.
Professor of American Studies, Rutgers University
Remembering the Twin Towers
Today, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center stand only in our memory, an image that calls to mind sorrow and loss. But during the years that they straddled the skyline, they were more than just office buildings. They were symbols of America. What went on before ground was even broken is a fascinating story in itself. Based on his best-selling book Twin Towers, 1973-2001: The Life and Death of New York City’s World Trade Center Gillespie explains the political maneuvering that was necessary for the co-sponsor, the State of New Jersey, to agree to situate the project across the river in New York. Presenting portraits of the engineers, architects, politicians, and contractors who proudly and ambitiously dreamt, designed, and built the World Trade Center, he shows how the backers were second to none in self-promotion. Gillespie tells the story of how engineers prepared the site and solved complex problems in order to erect the towers, each with 110 stories. And he discusses the contrast between the architectural community’s almost universal disdain and the public’s enthusiastic acceptance of the building as a symbol of New York. Finally, he tells the story of the heartbreaking demise of the building on September 11, 2001, followed by an account of the efforts to remove the rubble and to construct an appropriate memorial within a new complex. What emerges is not only a tribute to a building, but an inspiring and intimate story of the birth and death of an American symbol.
William Gillette, Ph.D.
Professor of History, Rutgers University
The Role of New Jersey After the Civil War
A reexamination of the state’s postwar politics during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age. The view that New Jersey was a conservative backwater during the period between 1865 and 1894 is refuted.
William Gillette, Ph.D.
Professor of History, Rutgers University
The Role of New Jersey in the Civil War
A reconsideration of the state’s wartime role. The traditional view that New Jersey was a copperhead stronghold is rebutted. The home front and the battlefront will be touched on, but emphasis will be given to the political front.
William Gillette, Ph.D.
Professor of History, Rutgers University
The Role of New Jersey Just Before the Civil War
A reevaluation of the state’s antebellum position. The view that New Jerseyans before the war supported slavery, states rights, and the South is disputed. A new view of why most New Jerseyans did not actively support the abolitionist movement will be advanced.
Stanton W. Green, Ph.D.
Professor of Anthropology, Monmouth University
Ireland's Prehistoric Landscape
Did you know that Ireland was one of the last places colonized on the planet Earth? Do you know the story behind the great stone tombs of Newgrange and the great stone fort of Dun Aengus? This presentation explores the rich prehistory of Ireland from the first Hunters, Fishers and Gatherers that settled the island 10,000 years ago, to the first farmers of 5,000 years ago, to the Bronze and Iron Age farmers who sculpted the landscape with field walls and tombs and created some of prehistory's finest jewelry and artifacts. The host organization must provide a DVD player and a projector for this presentation.
Arthur S. Lefkowitz
Independent Researcher and Author
George Washington's Indispensable Men
This lecture explores a group of fascinating men who worked behind the scenes to help win American independence. Largely unknown and forgotten, these unselfish, hard-working patriots served at Washington’s headquarters as volunteer aides-de-camp (personal assistants) and military secretaries. Their ranks included lawyers, doctors, artists, college students, businessmen and plantation owners. This presentation relates their accomplishments during the Revolutionary War and well into the 19th century. This lecture is based on the speaker’s recently published book, George Washington’s Indispensable Men: The 32 Aides-de-Camp Who Helped Win American Independence.
Arthur S. Lefkowitz
Independent Researcher and Author
New Jersey in the American Revolution
This 50-minute slide presentation is based on the presenter’s book The Long Retreat. This program focuses on the British invasion of New Jersey in late 1776, which ended with Washington‘s famous Christmas night raid on Trenton. The speaker will demonstrate that the closest the British ever came to winning a military victory in the American Revolution was at New Brunswick, New Jersey, on December 1, 1775.
Arthur S. Lefkowitz
Independent Researcher and Author
When Artwork Speaks: Eyewitness Images from the American Revolution
Despite the absence of photography and combat illustrators, the American Revolutionary War was accurately recorded by a number of artists. Historian Arthur Lefkowitz, author of The Long Retreat, George Washington's Indispensable Men, Bushnell’s Submarine, and Benedict Arnold’s Army, presents a color slide presentation of 18th century artistry in the form of studio-executed history paintings, portraits, illustrations, and rapidly drawn field sketches. While some of the artwork presented may look familiar, Mr. Lefkowitz offers historical information on each piece, and new insight about the artists who created them. Pictures have been gathered from a variety of museum collections and, using high quality images, interesting details that are frequently lost when the pictures are reproduced in books come to life. Central to the presentation are portraits of George Washington, shown as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
Charles F. McSorley
Independent historian; member, American Political Items Collectors
Mathew B. Brady: Cameraman of the Civil War
A lecture and slide presentation explore the life and times of celebrated New York City photographer Mathew B. Brady. The discussion focuses on Brady’s efforts to preserve on film a tragic watershed period in American History – the Civil War.
Charles F. McSorley
Independent historian; member, American Political Items Collectors
The Suffragette Movement: How Women Won the Vote
This lecture and slide presentation uses humorous (and not so humorous) postcards and memorabilia to offer insight into how American women were regarded as they struggled to win the right to vote.
Charles F. McSorley
Independent historian; member, American Political Items Collectors
Theodore Roosevelt: His Life and Times as Seen Through Political Cartoons, Postcards, and Pictures of the Period
This lecture, music, and slide presentation covers the turbulent and exciting life of Theodore Roosevelt, America's 26th president. Stories abouth other public figures of the times are also part of the program.
Richard Patterson
Executive Director, Old Barracks Museum
The Battles of Trenton
Using maps, portraits, and other visual aides, Richard Patterson examines the events that led up to Washington’s first great victory: his plans for attack, the combatants, strategy, outcome, and human side of one of the more famous battles in US history.
Richard Patterson
Executive Director, Old Barracks Museum
The Common Soldier of the Revolutionary War
Examining men in the ranks on both sides of the conflict, Richard Patterson considers demographics, motivation, training, and performance. The presentation includes reproductions, slides and/or other graphics.
Charles Townsend, Ph. D.
Professor of Slavic Languages and Literature, Princeton University
A Survey of Eastern Europe: From the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires to Today
A survey of Eastern Europe, with attention to geography, languages, and historical and cultural divisions. The lecture will be organized around three accompanying maps: (1) present-day Eastern Europe; (2) languages and major geographical features; (3) the Habsburg (Austro-Hungarian) and Ottoman empires. Background and implications for the collapse of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia will be discussed.
Lisa Wilkins & Chuck Winch
Singer and Guitarist
Songs of the Civil War: History and Myth
This program uses both authentic Civil War era songs and original compositions to explore how popular songs shaped and reflected the sentiments and events of the time and how these songs continue to resonate emotionally among Civil War enthusiasts today. The performers use authentic and reproduction period instruments, including banjo, fiddle, guitar, and bones, and dress in period clothing for the presentation.
