The emergence of Andrew Jackson and universal suffrage for men would change the politics of the United States. Henry Clay’s leadership of the Whig Party would counter the Democratic Parties ideas during this time in which domestic affairs were the main concern of the U.S.

Today’s modern parties looked much different in their beginnings prior to the Civil War. Born in 1854, the Republican Party will quickly counter the ideas of the Democratic Party. Explore how the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Gilded Age shape the parties until the changes of the Progressive Era.

From the time of the 1st World War to the height of the Cold War, the two major parties will change many of their platforms as they evolve into the base of the modern party system.

Bad debts caused Benedict Arnold’s father to turn to alcohol. An unhappy home life caused Benedict to enlist in the Connecticut militia at age 15. By 19, both his mother and father were dead. He left the Militia and worked in a pharmacy/book store.

In his free time, he read his way to a solid education, including military strategy and eventually his own successful business. In the War, he fought many brilliant battles, was wounded three times, and helped win the pivotal Battle of Saratoga. This was before he was “persuaded” to defect. He was rated the best Battlefield General by both sides.

This course covers a wide range of the American experience, whether you are into genealogy or just interested in learning a little about a fascinating collection of social history documents.

Every year people around the world gather together to celebrate Easter. For many, it is a deeply religious holiday, others simply see it as a time to hunt for colored eggs and eat candy with family. No matter how you celebrate, the history of Easter is a fascinating study in how cultures intermingle and how religious history becomes part of modern life. Enroll in this fun and educational class and learn about the Easter bunny, colored eggs and other Easter traditions.

Women were not thought of as possible spies, they were too shy and sweet to do that dirty, distasteful, disreputable work. However, the Civil War was not the first time that females were employed in that occupation and will not be the last.

This program shows who did what, and for whom, on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. Some were more successful than others, some were captured after a short run, and two of them were highly successful and never caught throughout the entire war.

Juneteenth commemorates slaves in Texas belatedly learning two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been promulgated and two months after the end of the Civil War that they were free. It has been 155 years since the end of the Civil War and yet, America still lacks “domestic tranquility,” one of the four aims of the Preamble to the Constitution.

This presentation examines "domestic tranquility" is not possible, that the vital organs of the body politic have been gravely affected by the pernicious institution of slavery in this country.

The 1968 Kerner Report states: "Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal. What white Americans have never fully understood but what the Negro can never forget — is that white society is deeply implicated in the ghetto. White institutions created it, white institutions maintain it, and white society condones it.” Is Kerner right or wrong?

How do we proceed toward domestic tranquility? After a presentation, join in an open discussion to talk about if and how domestic tranquility is possible. Those at the original Juneteenth had to decide where to go and how, "But a nation cannot choose its past; it can only choose its future." (Lepore)

The history of famous and infamous Madams continues in Part II, but the location shifts from the old west to the wild side of San Francisco's crib rows, cow yards, and Chinese sex slaves to the Alaskan gold rush and the madams who established their houses of joy in the last, great wild frontier of America.

Although the United States has been largely a two-party system, 3rd/minor parties have led to many changes in the major parties and impacted multiple elections. Take a look back at what caused these parties to form and what impact they had.

Creating a new nation was a challenge. Putting the nation back together after a civil war was a formidable task. It has successes and failures, both of which affect us today. This is arguably, the most controversial part of American history than even forming a nation. Reconstruction remains a work in progress toward a more perfect union.

New France was the area in North America colonized by France during the 17th and 18th Centuries. This course will cover the events that shaped the North American French people from the attempted colony on St. Croix Island in 1604 to the end of the French and Indian War in 1763.

Clouded by local Confederacy apologists, and annually celebrated in a wholly fake “re-enactment” event, the true story of the Marshall Plantation raid in early 1865 has remained hidden. Research by then-Star Banner reporter Rick Allen in 2016 discovered the truth and added a stunning chapter to Black History in Marion County. Learn the story of daring courage and unheralded success in the only hostile action of the Civil War in Marion County.

"Whenever possible, arrange to have your ancestors born in New England. This is the happy hunting ground for genealogists." So said noted genealogist, Archibald F. Bennett, on the first known TV show devoted to genealogy, way back in 1954. Learn what you can discover about your New England ancestors from this “happy hunting ground.”

History frequently and unfortunately deservedly gets the reaction: "Ugh, names, dates, and places." This session will take you from colonial settlement to 9/11 by listing a number of important events with a (mercifully) brief explanation of why they are important and how they have effected our nation's development and evolution. The intention is to leave attendees with the most general knowledge of the flow of U.S. history.

Votes for Women (1996) is a film that was produced for the 75th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. The film is a perfect overview of the 72 year-long struggle, from 1848 to 1920. The film covers not only the national campaign, but also leaders and individual states. Votes for Women celebrates the magnificent campaign, the ultimate victory, and the paths that contemporary women are taking in politics. Just us to view this film to commemorate the centennial of this important part of history. Join Allie Gore for a guided discussion following the film.