• Images of Conflict: War Photography in the 19th Century- War and conflict have been a constant presence in human societies, and depictions of war have traditionally been heroic and celebratory. Yet, with the invention of photography in the early 19th century, a new medium of visual reporting changed how images of conflict were presented to the public. This talk will explore the history of war photography from its earliest examples during the 1840s to the beginning of the 20th century.

• "To the shores of Tripoli": The Barbary Wars and the Birth of American Power- At the beginning of the 19th century, the newly independent United States was a relatively insignificant player on the global stage. But a conflict in the Mediterranean would force the US to take action to defend its interests. The story of the Barbary Wars is the tale of the first American overseas military expedition and helped establish the reputation of the Marine Corps.

• Of Mosque and Madrasa: The Architecture of the Islamic World- Beginning in the 7th century, Islam spread out of Arabia, westward across North Africa, and eastward to northern India. As the culture spread, new ideas in art and architecture developed throughout the region. Over the course of 1400 years, it produced some of the most beautiful structures on earth. From the Alhambra in Spain to the Taj Mahal in India, this talk will highlight some of the great buildings of the Islamic world.

• Vampires, Madmen, and Monsters: the History Behind Our Favorite Tales of Horror- Celebrate Halloween with this colorful exploration of the historical inspirations behind some of the most popular horror stories of all time. From Transylvanian tyrants and Egyptian incantations to Victorian era scientists and Romantic period writers, this talk will shed light on the dark origins of some spooky stories.

• Spies and Counterspies: Deception, Espionage, and Treachery During the Revolutionary War- We often imagine the American Revolution as a heroic struggle for liberty won on the battlefields by patriotic citizen-soldiers against the might of the British empire. And while the battles of the war were important, another secret conflict was being fought behind the lines- the battle for military intelligence. This talk will dive into the webs of deception and intrigue, as American and British spies sought the knowledge that could bring victory in the war.

• The Great Undecided: Hayes, Tilden, and the Disputed Election of 1876- In the aftermath of the Civil War, amid the political and social turbulence of Reconstruction, deep fissures still remained in the United States. Add into the mix a scandal plagued presidency and the results were a highly contentious, disputed, and controversial election.

• Art, Trade and the Flourishing of the Dutch Republic- In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Republic emerged as an economic and imperial powerhouse, dominating trade and finance in Europe. This prosperity led to an era of tremendous artistic and architectural extravagance, and created what has been termed “The Dutch Golden Age.”

• After the Great War: Social Change and Challenges in the US, 1919-1932- The First World War permanently altered societies around the globe. In Europe and the Middle East, empires that had existed for centuries were dismantled and swept aside. In the United States, the aftermath of the war brought with it dynamic social challenges that shaped and changed American society. This lecture examines some of the complex events that impacted the US after the Great War.

• The Age of Assassination: Ideology, Conspiracy and Murder in the Industrial Age, 1880-1914- Irish author George Bernard Shaw once called assassination an extreme form of censorship. During the late decades of the 19th century, as political and social changes swept across the Atlantic world, a series of high-profile assassinations captured headlines across the globe. From US presidents to European monarchs, the powerful and influential fell victim to the assassin’s bullet. This talk will explore some of the most infamous and consequential political murders of the industrial age.

• Urban Sanctuaries: Populations, Parks, and the Transformation of American Cities- By the middle of the 19th century, the urban population in the United States was growing quickly, leading to overcrowding, crime, and many other social problems. In response, reformers advocated for change to improve conditions for all urban inhabitants. Beginning in the 1850s, many cities began to develop open, green spaces as a way of adding beauty and nature into the urban environment. This talk will explore the planned transformation of American cities and the development of urban sanctuaries in the industrial age.

• The Indestructible Soul: A Brief History of Poland- Over the course of 1000 years of history, the story of Poland has been one of tragedy and triumph. At its peak, Poland was the largest nation in Europe, yet by the end of the 18th century, it had completely disappeared from the map. This lecture will explore the grand and enduring tale of Poland and the Poles.

• Zeal for Liberty: European Volunteers in the American Revolution- When Britain’s American colonies began their struggle for independence in the 1770s, many European states doubted whether the Americans could defeat the mighty British. Yet, some individuals were inspired by the struggle, and sought to help the colonists gain their liberty. These foreign volunteers, from across Europe, played a vital role in the eventual outcome of the Revolutionary War.

• The Renaissance in Ten Masterpieces- The 15th and 16th centuries saw an intellectual and artistic flowering in Europe. Many of our greatest works of art (painting, sculpture, architecture) were created during that epoch. This talk will explore the Renaissance by examining ten of the major artistic works of the period.

• Five Rings: A Brief History of the Modern Olympics- The Olympics are a global celebration of sport. Since their revival in 1896, they have stood testament to the spirit of athletic achievement and determination, and have provided us with scenes of triumph and tragedy. This talk will explore the history and memorable moments of the Olympic Games.

• Protections and Abominations: Tariffs in US History- In 2025, the news is full of talk about tariffs and trade. Yet the discussion of tariffs is not a new one in the US. Tariffs have been a part of American policy and politics since the beginning of the Republic. This talk will explore the history of tariffs and trade in the United States from 1789 to today.

• Pontifex: The Two Thousand Year History of the Papacy- The recent election of an American pope was an exciting moment of history as Pope Leo XIV became the 266th successor of Saint Peter. Over the last two millennia, the papacy has been a position of power and influence, and the papal tiara has been worn by saints and scoundrels. The history of the papacy is a tale of faith, passion, greed and drama.