Professor Eric Foner traces the development of the concept of "freedom" in the U.S., beginning with the nation's founding and continuing up to 2005 (the present day at the time of the lecture). He focuses on race relations and fights by minorities for civil liberties as focus points for the definition of freedom.
Professor Leo Marx presents the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby, as "a representative American," using the arc of the character's development to explore popular myths and understandings of U.S. origins, developments, and dangers.
A panel of authors, urban planners, and politicians detail the history of Boston's Charles River Parklands, and discuss its possible future.
The Historical Society of Washington, DC, is dedicated to preserving the unique historical and cultural heritage of Washington, DC. The society owns and operates a local history museum, which is located in Washington's famous Carnegie Library, which was once the primary library in the DC public library system.
The society offers exhibits, guided tours of the museum, educational programs, and special events. The website offers educational resources including lesson plans and documents, visitor information, and a brief history of the society.
The Historical Museum of Southern Florida presents the history of South Florida and the Caribbean. The museum's permanent exhibit addresses Native American life, the international rivalry for dominance in the region, southward expansion and Seminole displacement, the development of technology and the region's economy, and immigration and tourism to South Florida. Consistent themes include ethnic diversity, immigration, and use of the natural environment.
The museum offers exhibits, summer camps, curriculum-based programs for students, historical site excursions for students, outreach programs for students, evening history programs, family programs, social and ecological history tours for adults, and research library and archive access. The website offers pre-visit materials.
The Transylvania County Historical Society was founded in 1987 in order to preserve the Allison-Deaver House. The society is also dedicated to preserving the history of Transylvania County.
The society offers occasional special events and guided tours of the Allison-Deaver house. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of the society, and a listing of upcoming events.
The Dodge County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Dodge County, Minnesota. To this end, the society operates a local history museum. The society is housed in the 1869 St. John's Episcopal Church building.
The society offers exhibits and research library access.
The House of David Museum presents the story of the Christian religious community known as the House of David, founded in 1903. Members created most, if not all, of the items which they needed or desired for the rest of the community. At its height during the 1930s, the House of David served the early U.S. tourist population through its own amusement park, hotels, and restaurants, among other amenities. The House of David was also known for its baseball prowess, and would play games against teams in the Negro Leagues—unthinkable at a time when sports were so stringently divided by race.
The museum offers exhibits and self-guided tours. Appointments are required for groups of 25 or more. Groups receive an introduction and, when possible, a guided tour.
The Henderson County Heritage Museum presents the history of Henderson County, North Carolina from the time of Cherokee residence to modern day. The museum is housed in six rooms of the Historic Henderson County Courthouse.
The museum offers exhibits and multimedia presentations.
The Gardner Museum is a stone Romanesque Revival style building erected in 1888. It was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Patton and Fisher and built with limestone supplied by the Frederick W. Menke Stone Works of Quincy. It presents exhibits related the history of local architecture and design. The second floor's large room, formerly the library reading room, has a tongue and groove wood vaulted ceiling. It now houses the "Aspirations in Glass" exhibit of stained glass windows saved from demolished churches.
The museum offers exhibits, research library access, and tours. Unfortunately, the museum is now closed due to lack of funding.