The History Club at Genesee Community College has announced the fall schedule for its upcoming Historical Horizons Lecture Series. The lineup of local historians and renowned authors will detail historical events, people and places that continue to impact the world today. The Historical Horizons Lecture Series begins in early September with an event that is part of the Genesee Community College’s 50th Anniversary celebration, and continues on the first Wednesday of each month through December 2017.
“This will be our third year presenting the Historical Horizons Lecture Series – an opportunity that started with the Civil War Commemoration events that brought history to life. Some of our region’s most dedicated historians continue to be involved through the lecture series,” Derek Maxfield, GCC’s associate professor said. “This is shaping up to be one of the most informative lineups yet!”
GCC’s Fall 2017 semester lineup for the Historical Horizons speakers includes:
•Tuesday, September 12 at 7 p.m., Batavia Campus, T102 – Pulitzer Prize and Bancroft Prize winning author Dr. Heather Ann Thompson will cap off the College’s special Convocation Day, delivering a presentation, “Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and its Legacy,” based on her award-winning book.
The word “Attica” has meaning far beyond the reaches of New York State. It has, in fact, become synonymous with the infamous prison uprising there in 1971. While there have been other books about the frightful event, none have been considered the last word. Blood in the Water, however, is destined to become the definitive account of that chapter in local history. Utilizing sources available to no other researchers, Dr. Thompson was able to write a reliable account that upends myths and exposes cover-ups.
•Wednesday, October 4 at 7 p.m., Batavia Campus, T102 – Daniel T. Davis will deliver his presentation, “Out Flew the Sabres: The Battle of Brandy Station.” The largest cavalry battle of the Civil War took place at Brandy Station, Virginia. Initiated by the Union cavalry, the battle was ultimately a Confederate victory – or was it? The implications of the battle would prove to be far-reaching.
•Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m., Batavia Campus, T102 – In the last year of the American Civil War, there were a number of civilian efforts to broker a peace. One of those attempts came as the spring 1865 military campaign was preparing to kick off again. Join Dr. Terrianne Shoulte of D’Youville College to learn more when she delivers, “A ‘Visionary’ Plan? The Proposed March 1865 Peace Conference.”
•Wednesday, December 6 at 7 p.m., Batavia Campus, T102 – Orleans County Historian Matt Ballard will present, “Fear of the Unknown: Creating the Illegal Immigrant in 19th Century America.” The theme of immigration to the United States is a relative topic in current events, but the establishment of the “illegal immigrant” only dates back to the turn of the 20th century.
In the earliest years of immigration, Europeans were accepted without restriction, but an influx of new immigrants during the latter half of the 19th century raised concerns about potential impacts on American society. Uncertainty and unfounded fears created excessive restrictions focused on limiting access to specific ethnic/racial groups, religious groups, the disabled, the infirmed, and those likely to become a “public charge.”
All lectures are free and open to the public, and take place in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building at 7 p.m. Professor Maxfield also encourages attendees to stay tuned for other lecture dates at Genesee Community College campus centers.
For more information, go to: https://gcchistoricalhorizons.wordpress.com/ or contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at 343-0055 ext. 6616, or via email: dsutherland@genesee.edu.
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