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Historical Presentations
(Both Live & Virtual)
(60 Minutes)
1620: The Pilgrim's First Year
In 1620, the Pilgrims set foot on the shores of a wild and unforgiving land, driven by a quest for religious freedom and hope for a new beginning. What they found instead was a harsh, untamed wilderness filled with peril-disease, hunger, and the constant threat of death. Their survival hung by a thread through that first brutal winter, as nearly half their number perished.
But out of adversity came an extraordinary story of resilience and alliance. Through the grace of God and the vital aid of the Wampanoag Nation-the “People of the Dawn”-the Pilgrims found a lifeline. Wampanoag leaders like Massasoit and guides like Squanto taught the newcomers how to plant corn, hunt, and fish, forging a partnership that would shape the fate of the fledgling colony. Together, they signed a peace treaty and celebrated a bountiful harvest, marking the origins of Thanksgiving and the enduring legacy of cooperation and survival against all odds.
Experience the tale of courage, faith, and the meeting of two worlds that defined the birth of Plymouth Colony and changed the course of American history forever.
New
(60 Minutes)
Florida did not drift quietly into the American fold. It was dragged there through broken treaties, clashing worlds, and blood on a lonely military road.
In this gripping illustrated lecture, Historian Christopher Daley takes audiences from Spain’s last days in Florida through the rising storm of American expansion, slavery, and forced removal. Discover how Seminoles—formed from Creek refugees, mission Indians, and Black allies—built a society rooted in the Florida wilderness and refused to surrender it.
You will follow the slow march toward war: the First Seminole War’s ominous warning, the contested Treaty of Payne’s Landing, escalating tensions at Fort King, and the rise of Osceola as a symbol of resistance. Then, on a cold December morning in 1835, history explodes. Major Francis Dade’s column vanishes in a devastating ambush on the road to Fort King, while Osceola strikes down the U.S. Indian agent the same day.
The result was the Second Seminole War—the longest and most expensive Indian war ever fought by the United States. More than a battle, Dade’s defeat marked Florida’s violent baptism as an American frontier.
Dramatic, richly visual, and meticulously researched, this lecture brings one of Florida’s defining moments vividly to life.
(60 Minutes)
Andersonville
This slide presentation traces the rise and tragic legacy of the Confederacy’s most infamous Civil War prison. Officially known as Camp Sumter, Andersonville was constructed in early 1864 to house captured Union soldiers, but soon became notorious for its extreme overcrowding, lack of shelter, poor sanitation, and rampant disease. Over its 14 months of operation, more than 45,000 Union prisoners were confined within its stockade, with nearly 13,000 perishing from starvation, exposure, and illness.
My wife and I have visited Andersonville on two separate occasions, documenting the prison site, the stockade grounds, and the surrounding landscape. Standing where thousands of desperate prisoners once struggled simply to survive, we experienced firsthand the profound sense of dread and sorrow that still seems to linger over the site. Those visits, along with extensive research, photographs, and firsthand accounts, provide a deeply personal perspective on the story of Andersonville.
The presentation explores daily life inside the prison, the desperate struggle for survival, and the breakdown of order among the inmates. Learn about the infamous “dead line,” prisoner self-policing, the devastating effects of starvation and disease, and the remarkable resilience of the men who endured the camp.
The program also examines Andersonville’s aftermath: the trial and execution of commandant Henry Wirz for war crimes, the efforts of Clara Barton and Dorence Atwater to identify the dead, and the creation of the cemetery that became the final resting place for thousands of Union soldiers. Through photographs, historical accounts, and personal observations from two visits to Andersonville, this presentation brings to life one of the darkest chapters of the Civil War and explores why Andersonville remains such a powerful symbol of suffering, sacrifice, and human resilience.
(90 Minutes)
No Irish Need Apply: The History of the Irish in Boston
This riveting presentation, traces the journey of the Irish from 17th-century indentured servants and the 1718 Scots-Irish arrivals to the waves of Catholic immigrants who forever changed the city’s character. Uncover the hardships faced by early Irish newcomers who braved prejudice, exclusion, and violence, from the fiery Pope’s Day riots to the shocking burning of the Ursuline Convent.
The upheaval of the Great Famine resulted in tens of thousands of Irish refugees flooding Boston, transforming its neighborhoods and workforce. The new immigrants struggled to find work, build communities in places like the North End, East Boston and Charlestown, and they confronted deep-seated anti-Irish sentiment as they fought for a foothold in a city dominated by Anglo-Saxon Protestants.
Irish political power grew as Boston’s Irish Americans moved from street-level activism to city hall, producing legendary leaders like James Michael Curley and “Honey Fitz” Kennedy. Through stories of adversity, resilience, and triumph, this presentation reveals how the Irish shaped Boston’s identity-and how their legacy lives on in its politics, neighborhoods, and culture to this day.
(90 Minutes)
The Lincoln Assassination
Learn about one of history’s most infamous nights with this immersive presentation, the result of years of research and travel to the very places where the Lincoln assassination saga unfolded. Journey to Washington, D.C., and stand inside Ford’s Theatre, where President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, and the nearby Petersen House, where the nation’s beloved leader drew his last breath. Explore Mary Surratt’s Boarding House and Tavern, shadowy sites where the web of conspiracy was spun.
Trace Booth’s dramatic escape through rare photographs and firsthand documentation: from the Samuel Mudd House, where the assassin sought refuge, to the dense Pine Thicket hideout, and finally to the Garrett House and Barn, where Booth’s flight ended in a deadly standoff with Federal troops.
This fascinating presentation brings to life one of America’s greatest tragedies, revealing intrigue, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Experience the assassination of Abraham Lincoln as never before-through the actual locations, haunting images, and the stories that still echo through history.
(60 Minutes)
Steel Rails to Sunshine State: Henry Flagler and the Railroad that Built Florida
This presentation chronicles how Henry Flagler, co-founder of Standard Oil, helped transform Florida in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
After making his fortune in oil, Flagler turned his attention to Florida. He built the Florida East Coast Railway along the state’s east coast, connecting communities and helping turn small settlements into growing cities. St. Augustine, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and other communities expanded as the railroad moved south.
Flagler also built a series of grand hotels, including the Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, the Royal Poinciana and The Breakers in Palm Beach, and the Alcazar in St. Augustine. His most ambitious project, the Overseas Railroad, eventually extended the railway from Miami to Key West.
But this story is not just about Flagler, his hotels, and the wealthy visitors who stayed in them. It is also about the thousands of men who built, maintained, and operated the railroad, often working in difficult and dangerous conditions. Their labor was essential to making Flagler’s vision a reality.
The presentation examines Flagler’s vision, the challenges faced by the people who built and ran his railroad, and the lasting impact his railway, hotels, and development projects had on the growth of modern Florida.
(60 Minutes)
The Roaring 20s
The "Roaring 20s" is a lively one-hour slide presentation-an entertaining whirlwind tour through the decade that truly launched the 20th century!
Witness a time when the world was changing at breakneck speed: World events and political upheavals rocked the globe, Prohibition gave rise to speakeasies and notorious gangsters, and the shadowy world of organized crime flourished behind the glitz and glamour.
But the 1920s were more than just headlines-they were a cultural revolution. Say goodbye to the stuffy conventions of the Victorian era and hello to the birth of modern style! Flappers and dapper gents strutted in bold new fashions, while the sounds of jazz, led by legends likeJelly-Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong, set the rhythm for a generation obsessed with youth, excitement, and freedom.
From wild parties to political clashes, from the latest trends to the hottest celebrities, this lecture brings the Jazz Age to life with vivid images and fascinating stories. Whether you’re a history buff, a music lover, or just a fan of all things fabulous, get ready to experience the most explosive and unforgettable decade of the century!
(60 Minutes)
40 whacks: The Lizzie Borden Case
We all know the chilling ditty-“Lizzie Borden took an ax…”-but how much do you really know about the true story behind America’s most infamous murder mystery? 40 Whacks: The Lizzie Borden Case is a gripping one-hour presentation that cuts through the legend to reveal the real facts of the shocking double homicide that rocked Fall River in 1892.
Dive deep into a world of Victorian secrets, courtroom drama, and sensational headlines. Drawing on extensive research, rare archival materials, period newspapers, and haunting photographs, this presentation brings the case to life like never before. Was Lizzie a cold-blooded killer, or the victim of a rush to judgment? What clues did investigators uncover-and what mysteries still linger over a century later?
Entertaining, fascinating, and packed with surprising revelations, 40 Whacks promises to captivate true crime fans and history buffs alike.
(90 Minutes)
On the Trail of Bonnie and Clyde
Forget what you’ve seen on the silver screen. On the Trail of Bonnie and Clyde takes you beyond Hollywood’s myths and into the real world of America’s most notorious outlaw couple.
In 2013, my wife and I set out on a road trip through Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, following the trail left behind by Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Along the way, we visited their homes, hideouts, crime scenes, sites of murders and robberies, locations of shootouts and narrow escapes, the jails where they were held, and, ultimately, the lonely Louisiana road where their violent journey came to an end.
For decades, Bonnie and Clyde have been portrayed as glamorous Dust Bowl-era antiheroes, their legend fueled by the iconic 1967 film and countless books and television dramas. But the reality was far darker, more complicated, and far more fascinating than Hollywood would have you believe.
Through rare period photographs and modern video footage captured on location, this presentation takes you directly to the places where the story happened. You’ll discover how Bonnie and Clyde met, how their partnership developed during the depths of the Great Depression, and how love, desperation, violence, and a growing contempt for authority propelled them into a life of crime.
Along the trail, we’ll explore the injuries and close calls that nearly ended their journey, including the automobile crash that left Bonnie permanently crippled, as well as daring prison escapes, robberies, murders, shootouts, and the relentless pursuit by law enforcement that kept the couple constantly on the run.
Finally, we’ll travel to Gibsland, Louisiana, where on May 23, 1934, Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and killed in a hail of gunfire, bringing their two-year crime spree to a violent end.
On the Trail of Bonnie and Clyde is part history lesson and part road trip, taking you to the very places where this legendary story unfolded. Come along for a journey through the American South and Midwest that separates fact from fiction and reveals the real people, places, violence, and human drama behind the legend of Bonnie and Clyde.
(90 Minutes)
The Sacco-Vanzetti Case
The Sacco-Vanzetti Case caused a world-wide sensation in the 1920’s. Two Italian immigrants; Bartolomeo Vanzetti & Nicola Sacco - both avowed anarchists - were convicted in a Massachusetts courtroom in 1921 for the robbery & murder of a paymaster and his guard in South Braintree.
They would spend the next six years languishing in jail while making motion after motion for new trial. After all legal avenues were exhausted, they were both sentenced to die. On August 23rd, 1927, amid national and international demonstrations and protests, Sacco and Vanzetti were put to death on the electric chair at Charlestown State Prison.
The slide presentation is 90-minutes and chronicles the saga the two Italian anarchists. The story begins with the robberies in Bridgewater and Braintree Massachusetts and then turns to the famous trial at Dedham and the following six years of attempts to get a new trial. Next, the worldwide protests and demonstrations will be discussed and then, finally, the last days of Sacco and Vanzetti will be highlighted with a vivid description of their sentencing and execution.
The "Sacco-Vanzetti Case” presentation contains period photographs of all the major players in the case, the locations of the robberies, the courthouse, the massive demonstrations, Charlestown State Prison and the funeral procession down Hanover Street in Boston. Many of these photographs are rare and are not published anywhere. There are also many photographs of locations as they appear today.
New
(60 Minutes)
Taxation, Treason and Tyranny: The Road to the Declaration of Independence
This dynamic lecture traces the turbulent decade that transformed colonial protest into outright rebellion. Britain’s victory in the French and Indian War reshaped its empire—and saddled Parliament with staggering debt. In response, long-ignored colonies suddenly found themselves targeted by new taxes and strict trade controls. The Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Duties ignited resistance, while the rallying cry of “no taxation without representation” echoed from taverns to town greens.
Tensions soon turned deadly. The Boston Massacre shocked the empire. The Boston Tea Party dared Parliament to respond—and Britain answered with the punitive Coercive Acts. Instead of submission, the colonies united, convening the First Continental Congress and, before long, exchanging gunfire at Lexington and Concord.
From there, the lecture follows the rise of the Second Continental Congress, the appointment of George Washington, the radical influence of Common Sense, and Thomas Jefferson’s crafting of a declaration that challenged monarchy itself.
Rich with visuals and gripping storytelling, this presentation reveals how outrage became ideology—and protest became independence.
New
(60 Minutes)
The Haunted History of Florida
Experience the darker side of the Sunshine State with this immersive, story-driven journey into Florida’s most historic and unsettling hauntings. This multimedia presentation explores ghostly legends rooted in real events, blending folklore, eyewitness accounts, and verifiable history to reveal a Florida that tourists rarely see.
Begin in St. Augustine at the venerable Castillo de San Marcos, where the tragic tale of Dolores and Manuel still whispers through the ancient coquina corridors. Travel southwest to the solemn pine flats of Bushnell, where the spirits of the fallen are said to roam the Dade Battlefield, the opening strike of the Second Seminole War. The lecture then ventures into the heart of Marion County to the Ma Barker House in Ocklawaha, frozen in time since the infamous 1935 FBI shootout, and long rumored to host lingering shadows from its violent past.
Next, descend into the glamorous yet ghost-laden halls of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, where 1920s opulence meets decades of chilling stories, from phantom soldiers to the restless spirit of Fatty Walsh. Finally, visit the Cuban Club in Ybor City, a 1917 mutual aid society where the echoes of a fatal 1934 boardroom shooting still linger, alongside reports of a tragic actor in the theater and the spirit of a young boy who drowned in the basement pool.
From colonial intrigue to gangster-era violence and wartime tragedy, Haunted History of Florida uncovers the eerie echoes of the state’s past, offering audiences a compelling blend of true history and supernatural lore.
(60 Minutes)
The History of Emancipation and Juneteenth
The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth is an engaging presentation that brings to life the dramatic milestones and unsung heroes of America’s journey toward justice.
Travel through the fervor of the abolitionist movement and the seismic election of Abraham Lincoln, then witness the bold early emancipation efforts of leaders like John C. Fremont and David Hunter, and the pivotal “Contraband of War” policy introduced by General Benjamin Butler. Delve into the Emancipation Proclamation: its strategic timing, political reverberations, and the immediate impact on enslaved people as Union troops pressed deeper into Confederate territory, liberating thousands along their path.
Feel the tension and hope at the Civil War’s end, culminating with the arrival of Federal troops in Texas and the momentous reading of General Order No. 3 in Galveston on June 19, 1865-the day that would become known as Juneteenth. Discover how this profound event sparked celebrations of freedom that spread from Texas across the nation, ultimately leading to Juneteenth’s recognition as a national holiday.
Through engaging speaking and compelling historical insights, this presentation reveals how the fight for emancipation reshaped a nation and why the legacy of Juneteenth continues to inspire the pursuit of liberty and equality today.
NEW
(60 Minutes)
The Haunted History of the South
History doesn’t always stay buried… especially in the American South.
The program begins in Adams, Tennessee with the story of the Bell Witch, a case that drew national attention in the early 19th century. From there, it moves to St. Augustine, Florida where centuries of history have produced no shortage of ghost stories tied to its colonial past. In Sloss Furnaces, in Birmingham Alabama the focus shifts to the industrial age and the lingering reputation of one of the South’s most well-known haunted sites.
The lecture also visits the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, long associated with strange reports from guests and staff, and concludes in New Orleans, Louisiana with the story of Delphine LaLaurie, whose home became the center of one of the most disturbing episodes in the city’s history.
Grounded in historical context and primary accounts, this lecture offers a thoughtful look at why these stories have endured—and what they may (or may not) tell us about the past.
(60 Minutes)
The Wessagusett Incident
In 1623, Myles Standish, accompanied by eight men, including the Wampanoag pniese-warrior Hobbamock, entered the Wessagusset Colony. Through deception, they lured two Massachuset tribal leaders and a young native boy into a blockhouse and killed them in a brutal attack. Later that day, the same group engaged in several skirmishes with the Massachuset tribe.
What were the circumstances that led the Pilgrims to take such drastic actions? How did this event shape Native and English relations in the years that followed?
This one-hour illustrated historical presentation explores the Pilgrims' arrival at Plymouth, the founding of their colony, and the lesser-known establishment of "Weston’s Men," a group that settled in what is now Weymouth, formerly known as Wessagusset. It examines the interactions between the Native peoples and the two English groups—Pilgrims and Weston’s men—and the events that culminated in the bloodshed of 1623. The presentation provides a detailed account of the attack on Wessagusset and discusses its profound and lasting impact on Native-English relations.
(60 Minutes)
Unlock the secrets lurking in the shadows of the Northeast with The Haunted History of New England-a spellbinding presentation where fact and folklore intertwine! Journey into the chilling true tales and legendary hauntings that have left an indelible mark on the region’s history.
Delve into the infamous story of Mercy Brown, the so-called “Vampire” of Exeter, Rhode Island, whose tragic death in 1892 sparked a vampire panic and inspired international headlines. Explore the cursed depths of Massachusetts’ Freetown State Forest, a hotspot of eerie legends and unexplained phenomena. Dare to enter the notorious Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, where whispers of unsolved murders and restless spirits linger in every room.
Venture into a haunted Connecticut forest, where the wilds conceal secrets of the supernatural. Feel the chill of ghostly happenings at New Hampshire’s grand Mount Washington Hotel, where guests and staff alike have reported mysterious apparitions. Finally, uncover the spectral evidence at the historic John Alden House in Duxbury, Massachusetts, where the past refuses to rest.
Through gripping storytelling, historical accounts, and spine-tingling legends, this presentation promises to fascinate, shock, and leave you questioning what lies beyond the veil. Are you ready to confront New England’s haunted history?
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