Professor John Moser looks at the presidencies of William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson. Moser begins with a general discussion of the "character" of presidents and what qualities presidents have been perceived as possessing or lacking.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session two, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.
Professor David Tucker discusses the life and character of George Washington. Tucker begins with a debate over the modern-day reaction to and interpretation of Thomas Jefferson's possible relationship with his slave Sally Hemings and the differences it makes (or does not make) in perceptions of Jefferson's character. He also digresses into general discussion of what qualities define a "good" president and how these perceptions have changed over time.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session one, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.
Professor Gordon Lloyd takes the listeners through the Constitution of United States, comparing it to the Articles of the Confederation and considering why it is less celebrated in popular memory than the Declaration of Independence.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 26th, 9:00 am-10:30 am session. This should be the lecture "How to Read the Constitution." Select either the RealAudio image or text in the gray bar to the left of the main text.
Professor Gordon Lloyd looks at the Constitutional Convention and the debate over what form the new government and its constitution should take. He examines the final Constitution arrived at. This lecture continues from the lecture "Constitutional Convention II: The Convention in Crisis."
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session six, and select the RealAudio image or text in the gray bar to the left of the main text.
Professor Gordon Lloyd looks at the Constitutional Convention and the debate over what form the new government and its constitution should take. He examines the Connecticut Compromise. This lecture continues from the lecture "Constitutional Convention I: Debating the Virginia Plan."
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session five, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
This lecture chronicles Samuel Clemens's travels to Nevada and California from his home state of Mississippi, beginning in 1861. At this time, Clemens was an out-of-work river pilot; the lecture follows his development into the famous writer he would become and includes readings from fragments of his writing recovered from Civil-War-era journals and newspapers.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to "Heaven on the Half-Shell: Mark Twain in California," and select "Listen to Broadcast."
An overview of the history of Catholic missions in California, from their establishment during imperial Spain's colonization of the region through the push for their restoration and preservation in the 1800s. The presentation places an emphasis on the changing role and popular perceptions of the missions and on their effects on Native American populations.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to "The California Mission as Symbol and Myth," and select "Listen to Broadcast."
The King Center preserves the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. and promotes the philosophies of nonviolent protest, equality, and civic action. The Center includes the King Library and Archives—"the largest repository of primary source materials on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement in the world," according to the website— Freedom Hall, housing exhibits, a theater/conference auditorium, art, and a bookstore and resource center; an eternal flame dedicated to King and his views; and the crypt of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.
Near the Center and associated with it are Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth home and the National Park Service visitor center associated with the area, as well as the still in-use Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King preached as co-pastor.
The center offers exhibits, research library access, and educational and recreational programs and events.
The St. Clement's Island Museum, located at the site of Maryland's first colonial landing, guides visitors through the events that led up to that moment in 1634 and examines the industries that sprang up in Maryland as it was colonized.
The museum offers exhibits and guided tours for school groups.
The Shaker Museum interprets Shaker life and culture and exhibits artifacts from Shaker history, including Shaker furniture, oval boxes, textiles, craft machinery, art, tools, and agricultural machinery. The Shaker Library holds archival materials including books and historic pictures.
The museum offers exhibits; the research library offers library access, by appointment only.
NOTE: The museum and library are currently closed while the institution relocates to a new site at historic Mount Lebanon.