The History Club at Genesee Community College has set the line-up for the Fall 2019 Historical Horizons Lecture Series. This series is designed to educate, entertain and help stimulate the sharing of knowledge, discussion and learning all centered around the importance of history. As it has for years, GCC’s History Club invites the public to attend these events completely free.
The season kicks off on Wednesday, September 4, at 7 p.m. as Dr. Chris Mackowski, professor of Journalism and Communications at St. Bonaventure University, discusses his book, Grant’s Last Battle: The Story Behind the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. Facing financial ruin and struggling against terminal throat cancer, Ulysses S. Grant fought his last battle to preserve the meaning of the American Civil War. His war of words, “The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” would cement his place as not only one of America’s greatest heroes, but also as one of its most sublime literary voices. All are invited to attend in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building on GCC’s Batavia Campus.
On Saturday, September 7, at 1 p.m. grab a lawn chair or take a seat in the grass behind GCC’s Medina Campus Center located at 11470 Maple Ridge Road in Medina to watch General Ulysses S. Grant, played by GCC professor Derek Maxfield, and General William T. Sherman, played by GCC professor Tracy Ford, perform “Now We Stand by Each Other Always” live. The three-act play is based on a series of conversations between the famous Union generals during the Civil War. The friendship that developed between Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman is a touching story on a personal level, but it also was a recipe for the success of Union military. Beginning at Vicksburg in 1863, the play has a nice arch that allows audiences to see the evolution of the partnership between the generals.
Danny Hamner, adjunct instructor of history at GCC, presents “A Historian Reflects on Hamilton the Musical” on Wednesday, October 2, at 7 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building on GCC’s Batavia Campus. In this talk, Hamner explores what the musical Hamilton gets right and wrong about love, marriage, power and ambition in the early American republic, and what theatre can express that traditional historical narratives struggle to capture.
Then, Wednesday, November 6, at 7 p.m. Dr. Terrianne Schulte, of D’Youville College, will present “We Have to Create a National Debate, Community by Community…” which celebrates women trailblazers in environmental reform. Throughout the twentieth century, women have played important leadership roles in environmental preservation and restoration, often by educating the public regarding complex environmental issues to encourage grassroots activism.
Closing the Fall 2019 season, Dr. Melinda Grube will portray Abigail Adams – live on Wednesday, December 4, at 7 p.m. One of the Founding Mothers of America, Abigail Adams is one of the most remarkable people of the founding generation. Left to care for her children, the farm and the family business interests when her husband, John Adams was off chasing political fame, Abigail carried on to the best of her ability. She accepted the long absences from her husband as a necessary sacrifice for the good of the country. Come hear her story live, as presented in period costume and tone by Dr. Grube, adjunct instructor of history.
All Wednesday lectures in this series begin at 7 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building. Other series events are scheduled as noted above.
All events in the Historical Horizons Series are free and open to the public.
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