This lecture discusses African-American social organization and antislavery activism in Antebellum Boston.

Biographer and history professor James O'Toole describes the lives of the Healy brothers, children of a multiracial slave couple, in mid-19th-century East Coast society. Three of the brothers successfully passed as white and gained prominent social positions: one as a a bishop; one as Georgetown University's president; and one as a priest, rector, and seminary director.

A series of speakers, primarily professors, open a symposium celebrating the history and impact of African-American spirituals. This presentation continues from the presentation "Celebration of Negro Spirituals, Part One."

A series of speakers, primarily professors, open a symposium celebrating the history and impact of African-American spirituals.

A panel of historians and political analysts discuss the experiences and history of Irish and Jewish immigrants and their descendants in Boston. The panelists look at the current population of these ethnic groups in Boston, as well.

The discussion's audio can be downloaded in mp3 format.

Professor and author Michael Oren looks at the history of relations between the U.S. and the Middle East, beginning in 1785 with the Barbary Wars and continuing to the present day.

The lecture audio is also available as a mp3 file.

Author Jacqueline Tobin reexamines the history of the Underground Railroad, looking at the extension of the Railroad into Canada and the escape of fugitive slaves into Canada. She also examines the life of ex-slaves as free people in Canada.

Video and audio versions are available.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon John Kelly speaks on the historical background that has led to and grounds the current situations in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon and the U.S.'s involvement in the Middle East. He looks at what possible courses the U.S. could take now.

Audio and video options are available.

As part of a bicentennial series celebrating Boston Athenaeum writers, Jill Ker Conway discusses the work of maritime historian Samuel Eliot Morison (1887–1976); Megan Marshall discusses Christian author and first female entrant to the Athenaeum, Hannah Adams (1755–1831); and Philip McFarland discusses historian Francis Parkman (1823–1893).

Former U.S. ambassador Michael Novak and wife and co-author Jana Novak examine the religious beliefs of George Washington and their impact on his life and roles as general and president.