American History   

After the election, Lincoln received death threats and avoided plots on his life. A failed cavalry raid on Richmond led to “black flag” warfare - Confederate agents threatened the Northern population and its will to prosecute the war. Booth’s plans to kidnap Lincoln turned to murder with the fall of Richmond. This series discusses these plots, Lincoln’s assassination, the assault on William Seward, the escapes, trials, and fates of Booth and his co-conspirators. Additional topics will include Presidential security, the history of Ford’s Theater, Lincoln’s funeral and 19th Century trial laws.

"Whoever controls the past controls the future. And whoever controls the present controls the past." The struggle over America's historical narrative is not new, though it has intensified in recent years. Debates over how slavery is taught and remembered continue to shape public discourse, raising important questions about history, identity, and national memory.

This course examines how the institution of slavery influenced the nation's founding, economy, laws, and enduring social divisions. As William Faulkner observed, "The past is never dead; it's not even past." The Founders' decisions regarding slavery continue to echo throughout American history, challenging the nation in its pursuit of the Constitution's promise of "domestic tranquility."

Drawing on historical evidence, participants will explore how the legacy of slavery has been passed from generation to generation, reflecting the biblical passage that "the sins of the fathers have been visited upon their children" (Exodus 34:7). The course also considers how the American story might have unfolded differently had slavery not been woven into the nation's earliest foundations.

This new tour of this unique museum features a compilation of the best of the four programs previously presented and illustrated missions that were classified at the highest levels when they were employed, and about spies whose service has never been duplicated - both American and Foreign.  Unique surveillance devices; assassination weapons; weapon concealment; The CIA Zoo, top secret methods for securing messages between case Officers and Assets, and much more. 

Part II turns up the heat as the story of famous, and infamous, madams moves from the Old West to San Francisco's wild Barbary Coast. Explore the city's crib rows and cow yards during the Alaskan Gold Rush, and meet the bold women who built houses of joy in America’s last great frontier. It is a gritty, eye-opening adventure packed with drama, ambition, and larger-than-life characters.

This program is unique in that it shows never before seen images of the young Lincoln as he overcomes one obstacle after another, plus economic poverty, in his attempt to find love, on his uneven road to the presidency. See him in never been seen before images as he prepares himself for the dangerous role that lies ahead, fully aware of its potential cost.

In an homage to the Disney family history- Walt's parents were among the first people married in Lake County - Walt Disney World built Disney springs, intended to evoke the spirit of small-town Florida. They do a great job in some respects, but nothing beats true small-town Florida. This talk will take you to five Florida small towns that out-Disney Disney World at showcasing old Florida. 

Reconstruction and its impact on America today are being closely examined, especially around issues of citizenship and rights. Reconstruction’s biggest achievement was the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which for the first time clearly put into the Constitution the idea that "all men are created equal."

For many years, Reconstruction was interpreted mainly through the "Dunning School," which supported the Confederate “Lost Cause” narrative. This view tried to weaken these amendments and justified Jim Crow laws. In effect, Reconstruction became a time when the South lost the war but gained control afterward.

Why do springs matter? What’s the different between a spring and boil, lake, or vents? How many springs does Florida have? Travel writer Cathy Salustri takes you on a virtual tour to her favorite springs and explains how springs function, why we have so many in Florida, and why they're vital to our state.

 

Whether she's referred to as "Annie Oakley," "Little Miss Sure Shot" or "Watanya Cicilla," you recognizer her as an American sharp-shooter who became a much loved international performer. But what was she really like? How was her incredible talent discovered? What events in her early years led to her character qualities? And what connection does she have with Central Florida? All these questions and more will be answered as Dee brings to life the one and only "Annie Oakley."

Discover how America's earliest settlers turned rivers into highways, forests into fortunes, and wildlife into the building blocks of a brand-new nation. From fishing and fur trading to hunting fowl for food and commerce, explore how natural resources fueled survival, sparked innovation, and powered the birth of America's economy.

On August 14th, 1901, the S.S. Islander departed Skagway, Alaska for Victoria, British Columbia, filled to capacity with passengers and carrying a cargo of an estimated 1,200 pounds of gold bullion. Sometime after 2:00 am on 15 August 1901, the S.S. Islander struck an iceberg and within 20 minutes, the ship sank taking an estimated 40 people with her and the gold bullion.

Come and find out the history and events leading up to the sinking of the ship and whether any of the gold was recovered.

After all his trials and tribulations, he now has the sole responsibility to preserve, protect, and defend a badly divided country and guiding it into ending its history of human bondage, while others are equally committed to preserving the society as such. See him in never before seen images as he works hard to find the right methods and combinations of personnel to accomplish the critical preservation.

Discover the remarkable evolution of U.S. military small arms during the First and Second World Wars. This course will explore how the United States became the "Arsenal of Democracy," supplying not only its own forces but also those of its allies through industrial innovation and mass production.

You'll learn about the design, function, and history of the weapons that helped shape the modern battlefield—from bolt-action rifles and semi-automatic pistols to revolvers and carbines. Topics include:

 

• Weapon types and their intended battlefield roles
• Caliber, dimensions, and technical specifications
• Manufacturing origins, including production years and facilities
• Distribution to various military branches and theaters of war
• Total production numbers and historical context

The instructor will present a curated selection of original U.S. small arms from the era. At the conclusion of the class, participants will have the unique opportunity to view—and carefully handle—some of these authentic historical artifacts.

Whether you're a military history enthusiast, collector, or simply curious, this course offers an unforgettable hands-on journey through America's wartime armament legacy.

Our history buff, Jerry Colen will be here to deliver two sessions on Gunfighters of the American Wild West, come and hear Jerry speak of Bat Masterson and Doc Holiday and John Wesley Hardin and Belle Starr and other gun-toting luminaries of our wild west.

Explore the history, beauty and influence of America's oldest military academy and engineering school. Founded by President Thomas Jefferson, West Point educated towering leaders like Grant, Lee, MacArthur and Eisenhower, as well as some surprising figures, like Edgar Allan Poe.

Beyond this, West Point was instrumental in the fight for American independence, has influenced militaries around the world and remains an iconic tourist attraction for its breathtaking location and classical architecture. Come along for this exploration of the history, sights and legends of this American institution.

On August 17, 1913, the steamship State of California struck an uncharted hazard off the coast of Alaska, turning an ordinary voyage into a harrowing chapter of maritime history. With 150 people on board, the disaster left a lasting mark on all who were involved.

In this compelling course, explore the ship’s story, the chain of events that led to the wreck, and the lives forever changed. Experience the site today through captivating underwater footage of the vessel’s final resting place beneath the sea.

This course examines how a Constitution that never explicitly addresses intimacy became central to America's modern culture wars. Drawing on Geoffrey R. Stone's Sex and the Constitution, participants will explore the historical, religious, and legal evolution of government regulation of human sexuality.

From the Founders' secular vision and the Victorian era to Supreme Court decisions involving obscenity, contraception, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights, this presentation examines a fundamental constitutional question: How should a pluralistic society balance individual liberty, religious beliefs, and the rule of law?

In 1774, naturalist William Bartram called it the Great Alachua Savanna. Today, we know it as Paynes Prairie, which is a vast wetland rich in history and wildlife. In this chapter of our Bartram’s Florida series, we’ll take a leisurely three-mile stroll into the landscape that captivated the young explorer. Along the way, Lars Andersen, author of Paynes Prairie: A History and Guide, will share the prairie’s fascinating story, from its early days to the present.

Details:

• Meeting Time: 10 a.m. at the park entrance
• Park Fee: $5, payable at entrance on the day of the trip
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain. Out-and-back route; participants may turn back at any time
• Skill Level: Beginner-friendly

   

The JFK assassination has been a 60-year-old mystery of history. Did Oswald do it? Did he act alone? If not, who else was involved? What led up to the murder and who were the people involved? Was it a single mastermind or the work of a cabal? Was it the first attempt on this President's life? Was it a foolproof operation, or were there mistakes and coverups that occurred? Were there any warnings or indications?  If so, who knew and when? Was the Warren Commission Report factual or part of the cover up? Come learn the truth about this shameful murder of an American President on U.S. soil.

On September 8, 1923, seven navy destroyers traveling at 20 knots ran aground and wrecked at California's Honda Point. Learn how a chain of events would lead to the largest peacetime loss of U.S. Navy ships in history.

Long before Florida entered the Union as a slave state in 1845, it was a refuge for enslaved people escaping bondage in the American South. Protected by Native communities and later by the Spanish, Florida offered sanctuary to many seeking freedom.

This presentation traces Florida's transformation from a haven for freedom seekers to the nation's last admitted slave state. It also explores Marion County's local history, examining census records that identify slaveholders and the people they enslaved, revealing a legacy that continues to shape the community today.

Why did the Japanese attack? Why was the U.S. caught by surprise? On the 85th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, this course will examine the reasons for the attack and the almost unbelievable process, the back and forth, that led to the approval of the attack in Japan. This almost torturous process also sheds light on why the U.S. was caught off guard.

If you enjoyed Cathy Salustri's October Then and Now presentation, make sure to register for the second part. If you were not able to make the first class, this one is sure to excite.

Take a look at how Florida was, and how it is, through pictures. Cathy will talk about places across the Sunshine State. Some you know, and perhaps some you don't, and their historic, cultural, and environmental significance today.