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Thomas Jefferson: Foundations of a Revolutionary (Part 1) NEW!

Part 1: A Revolutionary is Born (1743- 1773) explores the early life of Thomas Jefferson through pre-recorded content from The History Channel. Follow Jefferson’s journey from his birth into Virginia’s elite society to the development of the ideals that would later define his revolutionary leadership. This engaging, documentary-style presentation provides insight into the intellectual and personal influences that shaped one of America's most pivotal figures. Each part of this three-part series can be registered for individually.

Note: This is a recorded video (no live presenter).

Instructor: MTP Staff Members: Free; General Public: Free
Course #: HIS635 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: W  1/14/2026  1:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Seats Available: 60
 
 

Virtual Docent-led Tour at the Museum of the American Revolution NEW!
Registering for a remote instructor class means the student will attend in a classroom at MTP, but the instructor(s) teach(es) from a remote location. These classes are scheduled for a specific date and time. The instructor's presentation is displayed for students to see and hear in the classroom. Questions to and interaction with the remote instructor is usually available.

Have you ever visited the Museum of the American Revolution In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? In this 60-minute live virtual tour with a museum docent, participants will get to take a live tour of the Virtual Museum with a Museum educator, using the stories and experiences of real people of the Revolutionary era to make personal connections to major events and smaller moments of the American Revolution. Along the way, the educator will tackle key questions from participants about the Revolution and about the world today.

Don't miss out on this special opportunity to take a docent-led tour of this amazing museum from right here in Ocala. The Museum of the American Revolution is an essential repository of artifacts and an absolute treat for American history buffs. It emcompasses 118,000 square feet, and has on display an expansive collection of art, manuscripts and printed works from the nation’s Revolutionary Period. It also displays a range of objects gathered from and pertaining to the Revolutionary War, including British, French and American weapons used in battle and personal diaries written in camp.


Instructor:  MTP StaffMembers: $8; General Public: $13
Course #:
SPE292 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: Tu   1/20/2026   2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Seats Available: 66
 

Thomas Jefferson: Architect of Independence (Part 2) NEW!

Part 2: Independence (1774- 1776) examines Thomas Jefferson’s pivotal role in America’s break from British rule, presented through pre-recorded content from The History Channel. As colonial unrest intensifies, Jefferson’s powerful words ignite a movement toward liberty. Tasked with writing the Declaration of Independence, he crafts a document that not only founds a nation but inspires democracies worldwide. Each part of this three-part series can be registered for individually.

Note: This is a recorded video (no live presenter).

Instructor: MTP Staff Members: Free; General Public: Free
Course #: HIS636 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: W  1/21/2026  1:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Seats Available: 62
 
 

Thomas Jefferson: Trials of Leadership (Part 3) NEW!

Part 3: Jefferson at War (1777-1784) reveals the personal and political struggles Jefferson faced during the American Revolution, presented through pre-recorded content from The History Channel. As governor of Virginia, Jefferson is thrust into crisis with no military experience, facing invasion, failure, and public criticism. This powerful episode explores how wartime tested, and nearly broke, one of America's founding leaders.Each part of this three-part series can be registered for individually.

Note: This is a recorded video (no live presenter).

Instructor: MTP Staff Members: Free; General Public: Free
Course #: HIS637 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: W  1/28/2026  1:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Seats Available: 59
 
 

Liberty and No Excise: The Whiskey Rebellion NEW!

This was the rallying cry for the Whiskey Rebellion of 1791-1794, the first test of the power of the federal government under the new U.S. Constitution, when the unpopular excise tax levied against frontier farmers incited them to violent protest. This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of the insurrection and establishes historical context.  

The purpose of this presentation is to provide, through integrated evidence from primary and secondary sources, context for the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion so that participants may analyze its causes and effects, evaluate the significance of the event to the early history of the United States, and draw parallels to subsequent events.

Denise Cummins was born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania, a few blocks from the Old Stone House that is now the Bradford House Museum.  She began volunteering at the Bradford House following her retirement from teaching, where she serves on the Board of Directors and as an educator.  A lifelong learner, she enjoys finding the story behind the history and sharing that story with others, and will be delivering this presentation remotely from the Bradford House campus.

Instructor: Denise Cummins, The Bradford House Members: $8; General Public: $13
Course #: SPE313 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: Th  1/29/2026  10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Seats Available: 99
 
 

A Virtual Tour of the Signers' Hall at The Constitutional Convention NEW!
Registering for a remote instructor class means the student will attend in a classroom at MTP, but the instructor(s) teach(es) from a remote location. These classes are scheduled for a specific date and time. The instructor's presentation is displayed for students to see and hear in the classroom. Questions to and interaction with the remote instructor is usually available.

Virtual audiences can join a National Constitution Center museum educator for a tour of Signers' Hall, the iconic exhibit featuring life-size statues of the 42 men who gathered in Philadelphia for the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. Participants will be guided through that historic year as we explore the events that led up to the Constitutional Convention, the debates between the delegates, and the compromises that led to the Constitution that was signed on September 17.

The museum educator will also spotlight some of the famous figures in Signers’ Hall, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and others, sharing facts about the men themselves and behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of this one-of-a-kind exhibit. This is a remote presentation.


Instructor:  The National Constitution CenterMembers: $8; General Public: $13
Course #:
SPE301 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: Tu   2/17/2026   2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Seats Available: 56
 

Why Do We Remember the Pony Express? NEW!

Horses are engrained in or American Heritage and remain a symbol of the American West and a reminder of their profound impact on shaping the nation's history and culture. This class explores breeds of horses uniquely American.

Instructor: Tammy A Gantt Members: $8; General Public: $13
Course #: HIS647 | Room: Cypress Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: Th  2/19/2026  4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Seats Available: 75
 
 

Justice & Freedom: Understanding Your Constitutional Rights in America's 250th Year NEW!

In celebration of the United States' 250th year of independence, join the State Attorney's Office for a special educational session on the Constitution and the rights it guarantees every American. This engaging class will explore the Bill of Rights, key Supreme Court cases, and how these protections apply in everyday life and in the courtroom. Learn how our justice system upholds these foundational freedoms - and why staying informed is essential to being an empowered citizen.

Presenter Bill Gladson was elected State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit in November of 2020. He is a former law enforcement officer and career prosecutor with over 24 years of trial experience. As State Attorney, Bill leads a team of over 240 employees who serve the citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties, an area encompassing more than 1.4 million people.

Instructor: State Attorney's Fifth Judicial Circuit Members: Free; General Public: Free
Course #: GOV142 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: Tu  2/24/2026  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Seats Available: 15
 
 

The Emancipation Proclamation

Despite its importance, the Emancipation Proclamation is frequently misunderstood. The goal here is to explain why it was issued, when it was issued, what was its intent, what it did and did not accomplish.

Instructor: Jim Cullen Members: $5; General Public: $10
Course #: HIS550 | Room: Cypress Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: W  2/25/2026  3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Seats Available: 56
 
 

State of the Arts in Marion County

Discover the Future of Creativity in Our Community

Join leaders from some of Marion County’s most influential arts organizations as they explore the emerging trends shaping our local creative scene. Whether you're a creator, a patron, or simply curious, this is your opportunity to gain valuable insight into the future of the arts in our region.

 

Hear from leaders representing:

  • Ocala Civic Theatre
  • The Reilly Arts Center
  • Ocala Symphony Orchestra
  • Dance Alive National Ballet
  • The Appleton Museum of Art
  • Arts in Health Ocala Metro

 

Moderated by Jaye Baillie, Executive Director of Marion Cultural Alliance, this engaging discussion will dive into how the arts are evolving and providing incredible programming. The arts are more vibrant than ever before.

 

This is more than a conversation—it’s a celebration of the dynamic, ever-changing world of creativity in Marion County.

Instructor: Jaye Baillie Members: $5; General Public: $10
Course #: SPE113 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: Th  2/26/2026  10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Seats Available: 20
 
 

JFK: The Making of a Leader- A Presentation by Fredrik Logevall NEW!
Registering for a remote instructor class means the student will attend in a classroom at MTP, but the instructor(s) teach(es) from a remote location. These classes are scheduled for a specific date and time. The instructor's presentation is displayed for students to see and hear in the classroom. Questions to and interaction with the remote instructor is usually available.

The book being used as part of this presentation is a NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR.  A Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and leading expert on the topic of John F. Kennedy, Fredrik Logevall, takes us as close as we have ever been to the real John F. Kennedy in this revelatory biography of the iconic, yet still elusive, thirty-fifth president. 

Logevall will speak about his expertise and writings in this book that delves into Kennedy's childhood, education at Harvard, and his experiences during World War II, highlighting his physical bravery and the influence of his family and their political ambitions. He will touch upon how Kennedy's internationalist perspective and growing political consciousness shaped his decision to enter national politics. Logevall draws on previously unseen materials, including Oval Office tapes, interviews with Jackie Kennedy, and declassified CIA documents, to offer a fresh perspective on Kennedy's life and presidency. He will be presenting remotely.

Fredrik Logevall is the Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and Professor of History, Harvard University. A specialist on U.S. foreign relations history and modern international history, he was previously the Anbinder Professor of History at Cornell University, where he also served as vice provost and as the director of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies. Logevall is the author or editor of ten books, most recently JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956 (Random House, 2020). His book Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and the Making of America’s Vietnam (Random House, 2012), won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for History and the 2013 Francis Parkman Prize, as well as the 2013 American Library in Paris Book Award and the 2013 Arthur Ross Book Award from the Council on Foreign Relations. His other recent works include America’s Cold War: The Politics of Insecurity (with Campbell Craig; 2nd ed., Belknap/Harvard, 2020), and the college-level textbook A People and A Nation: A History of the United States (with Jane Kamensky et al; 11th ed., Cengage, 2018). A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Logevall holds a PhD in History from Yale University. He is a past president of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations.


Instructor:  Fredrik LogevallMembers: $8; General Public: $13
Course #:
SPE311 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: Th   3/12/2026   6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Seats Available: 75
 

John F. Kennedy: Into the Political Jungle (1946-1956) NEW!

Explore the political origins of John F. Kennedy in Into the Political Jungle (1946-1956), a pre-recorded documentary from The History Channel. Returning from WWII, a young JFK embarks on a bold new mission: winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. This episode traces his rise through Massachusetts politics as he lays the foundation for a national future.

Note: This is a recorded video (no live presenter).

Instructor: MTP Staff Members: Free; General Public: Free
Course #: HIS638 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: F  3/27/2026  3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Seats Available: 72
 
 

The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote Virtual Tour at the National Constitution Center NEW!
Registering for a remote instructor class means the student will attend in a classroom at MTP, but the instructor(s) teach(es) from a remote location. These classes are scheduled for a specific date and time. The instructor's presentation is displayed for students to see and hear in the classroom. Questions to and interaction with the remote instructor is usually available.

A National Constitution Center museum educator will lead participants on a Live guided virtual tour of our newest exhibit that traces the triumphs and struggles that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

The tour will help individuals to better understand the long fight for women’s suffrage, and will also highlight some of the many women who transformed constitutional history—including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, and Ida B. Wells. Plus, viewers will get an up-close look at some of the one-of-a-kind artifacts on display, including a rare printing of the Declaration of Sentiments from the nation’s first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, a ballot box used to collect women’s votes in the late 1800s, Pennsylvania’s ratification copy of the 19th Amendment, as well as visually compelling “Votes for Women” ephemera. This is a remote presentation.


Instructor:  The National Constitution CenterMembers: $8; General Public: $13
Course #:
SPE302 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: M   5/4/2026   2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Seats Available: 50
 

A Virtual Tour of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum NEW!
Registering for a remote instructor class means the student will attend in a classroom at MTP, but the instructor(s) teach(es) from a remote location. These classes are scheduled for a specific date and time. The instructor's presentation is displayed for students to see and hear in the classroom. Questions to and interaction with the remote instructor is usually available.

As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, take in panoramic views of the 9/11 Memorial Museum in this 60-minute interactive virtual tour led by 9/11 Memorial & Museum staff. Tours offer a deeper understanding of 9/11, the continuing significance of the attacks, and the stories and artifacts within this globally renowned institution. The tour will be offered via Zoom, with time for questions throughout.


Instructor:  9/11 Memorial & MuseumMembers: $8; General Public: $13
Course #:
SPE306 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: M   5/11/2026   3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Seats Available: 72
 

Memorial Day Tribute & Celebration NEW!

Join us as we come together in honor and remembrance of the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Our Memorial Day Tribute will celebrate the freedom we cherish and the heroes who made it possible! We invite you to begin this meaningful gathering with a flag ceremony at On Top of the World’s Veterans Park. From there, we will begin a ‘Memorial Movement Tribute’ consisting of an 0.8-mile walk, 25 squats, and concluding with guided breathwork. The .8-mile walk signifies the 80% of Americans who know someone who has served or sacrificed in the US Armed Forces (golf cart service available for those who choose not to walk). The walk will take us to The Recreation Center, where you are welcome to join in the 25 Squats (or as many as you can do!) representing 250 years of service, and the concluding, guided breathwork pays tribute to internal strength. Hear from leaders in our military and service community, observe the Memory Wall honoring loved ones who served, and find fellowship on Memorial Day during this very special year, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence!

Itenerary:

  • 8:00-8:30am - Flag Raising Ceremony Vets Park
  • 8:30-9:15am - Honor Walk to The Recreation Center *Golf carts will lead the walk
  • 9:30-9:45am - Movement Tribute in Recreation Center Ball Room
  • 10-11am - Memorial Day Program at The Recreation Center Ball Room
  • 11am-1:00pm - Live band and food trucks on the front lawn of the Recreation Center

Note: Because of limited parking, we are asking all participants to park at the recreation center and take a short shuttle ride to the park. Shuttles begin at 8am.

Instructor: Cammy Dennis, Leslee Stephens Members: Free; General Public: Free
Course #: SPE316 | Room: Field Trip
Day of Week | Date | Time: M  5/25/2026  8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Seats Available: 292
 
 

The Andy Warhol Museum Virtual Tour
Registering for a remote instructor class means the student will attend in a classroom at MTP, but the instructor(s) teach(es) from a remote location. These classes are scheduled for a specific date and time. The instructor's presentation is displayed for students to see and hear in the classroom. Questions to and interaction with the remote instructor is usually available.

Curious about how the son of Slovakian immigrants became a Pop Art superstar? Join an Artist Educator for an interactive virtual tour of The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA. They will introduce Warhol’s life and career and explore highlights of the museum's permanent collection, including works of art, film, and archival objects. The Artist Educator will be presenting remote.
Credit: Photo by Abby Warhola.


Instructor:  The Andy Warhol MuseumMembers: $8; General Public: $13
Course #:
SPE300 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: W   5/27/2026   10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Seats Available: 77
 

Take a Virtual Walk Through the Norman Rockwell Museum "Imagining Freedom Gallery" NEW!

Join us for a virtual tour of one of the most powerful art experiences of our time- a walk through of the Imagining Freedom Gallery at the Norman Rockwell Museum, featuring the works of Norman Rockwell, one of America's most beloved and influential artists. Witness the stories of everyday Americans as Rockwell saw them: honest, hopeful, and deeply human.

Together, we'll explore themed rooms such as:
* U.S. American Life Before WWII
*FDR's Four Freedoms
*Rockwell's Four Freedoms on Tour

Note: This is not a virtual live walk through the exhibits, however an actual visual experience with commentary on great Norman Rockwell paintings, which documents the American experience.

Instructor: Richard Cupertino Members: Free; General Public: Free
Course #: SPE314 | Room: Live Oak Hall
Day of Week | Date | Time: Tu  6/2/2026  2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Seats Available: 50
 
 

Exploring 250 Years of America with MTP: The Grand Finale NEW!

Step into history and celebrate the spirit of America! Join us for MTP’s spectacular grand finale event as we conclude our WI26 term, Exploring 250 Years of America. This special program will feature a dynamic blend of presentations, performances, and tributes that bring America’s journey to life- past, present, and future.

Following the program, enjoy a festive social gathering with fellow students, instructors, and friends, complete with hearty samplings of "Tastes of America" that highlights classic flavors of food from across the nation. Come dressed in red, white, and blue, or in your favorite era of American history, and be part of this patriotic celebration of community, learning, and legacy.

Samplings include:

  • Cracker Jacks
  • Hamburger Sliders w/ toppings
  • Hot Dogs
  • Corn Dogs
  • Chili Con Carne w/ toppings
  • Cornbread/Spoon Bread
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad
  • Hand Pies: Peach & Apple
  • Ice Cream
  • Lemonade, Sweet Tea, and Root Beer

 

Refund Policy: 14 business day refund policy. No refunds within 14 business days.

Instructor: MTP Staff Members: $25; General Public: $25
Course #: SPE318 | Room: Circle Square Cultural Center
Day of Week | Date | Time: W  6/17/2026  1:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Seats Available: 184
 
 

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