Sketches from History
Wednesdays, 2:00-3:45 PM
Room: West 105

Gary Lishnoff has arranged programs by different presenters on historical topics, periods, and figures.

January 30 – Norman Rockwell and the Civil Rights Movement,
Thomas Daly

After ending his 47-year association with the Saturday Evening Post in 1963, Rockwell began to work for Look, a magazine that used photographs and illustrations to focus attention on current events of national importance and interest.  A strong proponent of civil rights, Rockwell would paint images during his long career that reflected on some of his and the nation’s deepest concerns

Thomas Daly is the Curator of Education for The Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge.  The museum is located in a small town in western Massachusetts.  Thomas was raised and educated in the Berkshires.  He will examine Rockwell’s paintings that brought the subject of civil rights into American homes.

February 6 – Battle for Leyte Gulf,
Art Gottlieb

The largest naval battle of all time, fought over the course of three days and over thousands of square miles of ocean.  The Battle for Leyte Gulf marked the end of the once mighty Imperial Japanese Navy as an effective fighting force and paved the way for the American recapture of the Philippines.

Art Gottlieb is a local historian on subjects of political and military history.  He was formerly a professional curator of naval history and Technical Director of Exhibits at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in NYC.  In these roles, he worked extensively with veterans of all services towards the creation of exhibits accurately illustrating the history of 20^th century warfare.

February 13 – America, Europe and the War of 1812,
Mark Albertson

Two hundred years ago, the fledgling Grand Republic took on the might of the British Empire in a backwater conflict to the Napoleonic Wars, known as the War of 1812.  This single-session presentation will not merely chronicle the conflict itself; rather, showcase the status of the United States at the beginning of the 19^th century.  For here is the unfolding of the American Empire; or, Manifest Destiny: The Louisiana Purchase; the decline of France and Spain as New World colonial powers; the Napoleonic Wars; and, that long-slow thaw in Anglo–American relations.

Mark Albertson is a historical research editor at Army Aviation magazine.  He has written articles for newspapers and magazines, including a series of commemorating the 50^th anniversary of WWII.

February 20– Louisa May Alcott,
Susan Bailey

Louisa May Alcott was a distinguished and successful 19^th century woman writer.  Susan Bailey tells how she became progressively more and more involved in Louisa’s life and times as she got to know her through her writings and numerous biographies.  Using the resources of the internet, libraries and the Orchard House Museum she has been able to meet others with the same interests.  She shares their discoveries with you, illustrating them with slides and internet examples.

Susan Bailey is an amateur historian and creator of the unique internet blog, Louisa May Alcott is my passion.

February 27 – I Wanna Go Where It’s Warm – Hilton Head Island,
Gary Lishnoff

Escape the winter weather and explore the history and culture of Hilton Head Island.  The island has a rich history that goes back hundreds if not thousands of years.  Today it has become a major tourist destination with 2.5 million visitors every year.  Learn about its unique history and the attraction that makes Hilton Head a must see destination.

Gary Lishnoff teaches history and culture for LLI and will be our tour guide.  He visits the island every year for the past 20 years.