Transportation
Transatlantic Airships
Most people are familiar with one airship, the Hindenburg, and only because of its tragic ending that was caught on film. Prior to this catastrophic accident though the world experienced an airship craze and competition between countries that pushed companies to design larger and more luxurious airships.
The S.S. United States: Fastest Ship in the World
The use of the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary in the Second World War to ferry troops around the globe is thought to have shortened the length of the war. After the war the United States decided they needed a fleet of big liners in case there should be another major conflict. The S.S. United States was the only one built. She was the pride of America in the 1950s and 60s and a symbol of America’s industrial might. After a successful career she was abruptly pulled from service. Today she sits rusting in Philadelphia. The story of her creation and career is a fascinating piece of twentieth century history.
See also: The Sinking of the Titanic and The Sinking of the Lusitania
World's Fairs
The 1904 St. Louis World's Fair
Created to celebrate the one hundred year anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, this world’s fair attracted millions of visitors. Featured in its grounds were magnificent buildings designed by some of the leading architects of the day in exuberant beaux arts architecture. A mile long entertainment zone dubbed “The Pike” featured some attractions that were so popular they were brought to Coney Island following the fair.
The 1964/65 New York World’s Fair
Fondly remembered today by many who grew up in the tri-state area, the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair attracted 50 million visitors, and it wasn’t even an officially sanctioned world’s fair.
Disasters
The Sinking of the Titanic
For over 100 years the details of this maritime disaster have fascinated the public. She has been the subject of multiple movies, songs, cookbooks, novels, and a Broadway musical. This lecture goes into her creation, design, interior decoration, and her final, and only, voyage.
The Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania was torpedoed when she was only one day away from her destination. Passengers could see the coast of Ireland from the deck as she was slipping out from under them. The details of the final voyage of the Lusitania are little known to the public today, but still fascinating.
The 1927 Mississippi River Floods
The end of the 1920s brought severe weather to the Mississippi River valley that resulted in some of the worst floods in history. Hundreds of thousands were displaced and charities were overwhelmed by the demands placed upon them. A popular Secretary of Commerce named Herbert Hoover took the lead in coordinating the federal response which propelled him to the presidency. The floods shaped the Mississippi River for decades to come and still has effects on flood control projects today.
America's Worst Nightclub Fires
In an era before building regulations and regulation enforcement fire had disastrous and tragic effects in the United States. Night clubs exacerbated the problem by packing many people into spaces without adequate exits and fire proofing. The 1940s saw two of the worst disasters in American history that effected the building regulations to the modern day.
Architecture
Jacob Weidenmann – Hartford’s Landscape Architect
Though he is overshadowed by Hartford’s most famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, Weidenmann, a contemporary of Olmstead, is responsible for some of Hartford’s most cherished settings including Bushnell Park and Cedar Hills Cemetery.
Cass Gilbert, Architect
Cass Gilbert designed some of the most famous buildings of early twentieth century America. He was one of the first celebrity architects in the United States. His buildings include the Woolworth Building and the United States Supreme Court.
Lost New York City: A Tour of New York’s Demolished Landmarks
In the name of progress New York City has lost some impressive architecture. Multiple Madison Square Gardens, a skyscraper, train station, and multiple mansions have fallen victim to the wrecking ball because of New York’s love for all things modern.
Urban Redevelopment in Hartford
Post war America attempted to save cities which were being negatively affected by the growth of the suburbs. Hartford’s answer to their own “urban blight” was a major redevelopment project called Constitution Plaza. Controversial at the time, and still controversial today, the plaza was never completed according to plan.
Additional Lectures
The Connecticut Witch Trials
There are few people who know witch trials even took place outside of Salem. However, Connecticut led the way in the prosecution and execution of witches almost 50 years before the Salem Witch Trials began.
Failed Presidential Assassinations
Many presidents throughout American history have been the target of an assassin’s bullet. This lecture will explore some of the more famous attempts on the life of the President of the United States as well as the two lesser known successful assassinations, Garfield and McKinley.
Mark Twain and the Supernatural
Known best today for his frank observations on society, Mark Twain also lived during the spiritualism craze in the United States. Throughout his life he took an interest in the spirit world through attending seances, palm readers, and meeting mediums.
The Roaring 20s
The decade the brought us jazz, flappers, and the crossword puzzle also brought us gangsters, prohibition, and presidential scandals and tragedy. The average American does not know how our modern society was affected by the great changes to America in the Roaring 20s.