American History   

Join Alvin and learn about the History of Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y. The origin of Coney Island's name is disputed, but the area was originally part of the colonial town of Gravesend. In the mid-19th century, Coney Island became a seaside resort. Later, amusement parks became a focus at this location. The attractions reached a historical peak during the first half of the 20th century.

The COVID pandemic caused stunning and unprecedented changes in every aspect of our lives. School closings. Business shutdowns. Holiday gatherings prohibited or restricted in size. Nothing, and no one went unscathed. This includes our courts. Courthouses were closed. Hearings and trials were postponed. Looking backwards, we wonder how we survived it all. Attorney Jerry Colen will discuss the many ways that COVID put its stamp on our judicial system.

Dec. 7, 1941, Sunday morning in Hawaii. All was peaceful and serene. Base personnel were going about their business. Then, the unthinkable happened. The greatest military catastrophe in American history. In this class, we will explore in-depth not only the attack, but just as important, the reason behind the Japanese decision to go to war. Everyone has seen the horrific films and photos of that morning. What many do not know is the backstory behind what happened that day. It involves not only Japan's role, but also the mistakes and lack of proper action by some American personnel which contributed to this tragedy. Please join us as we seek to unravel what happened that day, and why.

Florida had been a refuge for enslaved persons escaping from slave states and were welcomed by the native population. Florida eventually entered the Union as a slave state. It became part of the "Cotton Kingdom" from 1845 until the Civil War.  Currently, descendants of slave holders and enslaved sharing the same surname are residents.

Patriots Day is a special time to commemorate and celebrate our American Patriots. Attorney Jerry Colen will share with participants about 8 of those patriots we call our country's Founders. Join Jerry as he tells us some interesting facts about the first of our patriots, the ones we call our Founders.

As a result of touring the updated, state-of-the-art Museum in September 2022 for the 75th Anniversary celebration, there are 

many newly declassified artifacts that are now allowed to be shown. These will be shown publicly for the first time along with a number

of formerly highly-classified CIA projects and spy revelations.

This course will trace the evolution of Rock N Roll from early Blues Styles to Elvis Presley. The instructor will be using audio and video clips to illustrate the changes in the US that led to the development of this new style in the early 1950s.

Each month will be a different topic:
July- Overview and Culture Influences
Aug.- Government, Politics, and Regulatory Influences
Sept.- Economic Influences
Oct.- Technology's Contribution
Nov.- Demographic Influences
Dec- Migratory Patterns.

The topic is based on a book entitled "The 600 m.o.l. - Black Helicopter Pilots in Vietnam" written by Dr. Joe Ponds. It is aimed at sharing information about a population of men who engaged in military service to this country with duties involving aviation. The era that this book addresses is one during which there was considerable racial turmoil in America. So, these were stalwart men who entered into a career field dominated by white males who did not readily embrace them. They were very well-trained, determined, and highly motivated professionals. More specifically, the book is about the black helicopter pilots who experienced combat duty in Vietnam, some making the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives, and who certainly have a place in U. S. history. It is also a story of the uncommon fortitude, perseverance, and triumph of black men who were often compelled to fight multiple battles against multiple enemies, for example, the enemy overseas on the battlefield and racial discrimination at home, simultaneously. The path to becoming one of the 600 m.o.l. was certainly a road less traveled.

The first and second Thanksgiving in the so-called "new" world took place in Florida. Where in Florida? Why? This one-hour presentation will touch upon the first settlements in the modern-day United States, who celebrated them, and why they came here.

A completely unique tour with totally different artifacts and background stories revealed and colorfully illustrated by Dr. Don Wyman, CIA Retiree who was in the Agency when most of these events were happening. This is Part 3 of an ongoing series that contains as they are declassified, new clandestine items and missions previously highly classified in full color and with unique illustrations created to show how they were carried out to combat smothering enemy surveillance.

 

The JFK assassination has been a nearly 60-year-old mystery of history. Did Oswald do it? Did he act alone? If not, who else was involved? What lead up to the murder and who were the possible people involved? Was it a single mastermind or the work of a cabal? Was it the first attempt on this President's life? Was it a foolproof operation, or were there mistakes and coverups that occurred? Were there any warnings or advanced indications about an assassination? If so, who knew and when? Come look and listen as many facts previously unknown or omitted in the Warren Report are revealed. 

This presentation reveals the depth and types of skills needed by CIA personnel to use clandestine operations to collect intelligence in difficult, to near-impossible, situations in foreign countries, all this while under surveillance by anti-espionage professionals. It also reveals some of those secret (now unclassified) successes that were accomplished against all odds.

Currently, in some places as Florida, the teaching of slavery in schools, is under attack. Adults more than children should know its history, but most had little in-depth exposure. The Founding Fathers sanctioned slavery, a root cause of why we lack "domestic tranquility" today. Slavery was not unique to America but it developed a pernicious form. Unfortunately, slavery today as human trafficking throughout the world is second to drug trafficking.

Extremely timely, given the resurgence of the so-called "Great Replacement" theory of white Nationalism today. The 1790 Naturalization Act was biased in allowing any free white person to become a citizen of the new republic; all others need not apply. This presentation demonstrates the historical effort to keep America white. Despite this, the struggle also enjoined an America of diversity.  E Pluribus Unum can be interpreted two ways: homogeneity or heterogeneity. America has become a primer for other nations today who are struggling with issues of homogeneity and heterogeneity.  America has been a petri dish.

The "Lost Cause" and neo-Confederates advocates disparage Reconstruction as a failure. Yet, historians today call it "The Second American Revolution," as it made the idea of equality more than an aspirational notion, spelling out in law implications of equality in the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th amendments. In today's Congressional climate, they would probably never pass.  Reconstruction made equality more of a reality, bringing us closer to "A more perfect Union."

The raid on March 10, 1865 was the only Civil War military action in Marion County. Misrepresented and inaccurately portrayed, this risky raid came only weeks before the war's end. A unit of mostly Black combatants traveled 100 miles behind enemy lines to conduct the raid, and then had to walk 80 miles to safety while knowing that a crack Confederate cavalry unit would be hot on their trail. A gripping adventure awaits.

Visit the 'Golden Age of Hollywood' and discover the back-story about the movie studios, the stars they created and the murders, mysteries and mayhem of the lives they lived.

This course will include more Hollywood secrets, scandals, suicides and murders. Topics include items like what happened to Errol Flynn? Who was Clark Gable?

William Bartram called it the Great Alachua Savanna. We know it as Paynes Prairie. On this chapter of our "Bartram's Florida" series, we'll take a 3 mile stroll onto the wetland savanna made famous by the young explorer in 1774. The talk will include a brief overview of the prairie's rich history from Lars Andersen, author of "Paynes Prairie: A History and Guide."

Note: Meeting time at park is 9 AM; There is a $5 Park Fee payable at the entrance day of trip. The trip duration is 1.5 - 2 hours long. Difficulty: Easy, two mile stroll on easy (mostly flat) terrain. Since this is an out-and-back hike, participants who can't do the entire hike are welcome to turn back at any time.
Skill level: Good for beginners.

In June of 2013, Edward Snowden, an employee of the National Security Agency, released to the media many thousands of documents that showed the extent that our government was spying on not only national security targets, but ordinary American citizens. Some claimed he committed treason and others called him a great patriot. We will investigate both sides of the issue and attempt to determine where the truth lies.

Ulysses S. Grant and the Winning of the War. President Abraham Lincoln needed help. He had appointed a series of generals to command his armies and yet, as the War continued dreary year after dreary year, the War was not ending. To not win, meant to lose.

Then, in the Western theater of the War, a rumpled-looking major general of volunteers began winning battles. Lincoln liked what he saw. This rumpled general just might be the answer to winning the War. Civil War history buff, Jerry Colen will be here on June 20, to speak with us about the rise and success of Ulysses S. Grant and how he brought the Civil War to Union victory.