History   

Join us as we explore the “Nickel Empire," aka Coney Island. Its history as a resort starts in 1829 when it became home to hotels, bathhouses, and amusements. Once the capital of thrills and entertainment, sideshows, roller coasters, fun houses, and more, today it is also home to the Mermaid Parade, the Coney Island Museum, NY Aquarium, the Brooklyn Cyclones, and much more! Susan Birnbaum teaches you all about the history as well as all Coney Island has to offer in this eye-opening virtual tour.

Straight off the screen of the Julian Fellowes's drama, The Gilded Age on HBO, this webinar will cover some of the most magnificent mansions built (and still standing!) in Westchester County, many of which you can visit today. We’ll cover the history and development of Westchester County; the division with Connecticut’s Fairfield County; and “visit” the Gould mansion, Lyndhurst; Rockefeller’s Kykuit; and the gilded age home of the Hudson River Museum, Glenview; as well as others!

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.

 

Get ready for HBO’s, The Gilded Age Season 2 this March 2023 with recap of Season 1. With historical perspective and vintage photographs, Ginny will place you in 1880s New York, reviewing the historical events, fashion, locations, and the real people that surrounded the fictional old-money Van Rhijns and the new-money Russells. You’ll see how the show’s production recreated 1882 New York; the fashion inspiration behind the opulent 19th-century costumes; and the backstories of New York’s elite featured in the show, like Mrs. Astor and Stanford White.

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.

Get ready for HBO’s, The Gilded Age Season 2 this March 2023 with recap of Season 1. With historical perspective and vintage photographs, Ginny will place you in 1880s New York, reviewing the historical events, fashion, locations, and the real people that surrounded the fictional old-money Van Rhijns and the new-money Russells. You’ll see how the show’s production recreated 1882 New York; the fashion inspiration behind the opulent 19th-century costumes; and the backstories of New York’s elite featured in the show, like Mrs. Astor and Stanford White.

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.

For students who want to register for all four Februrary History Happy Hour classes at the same time for a combined discounted rate. Series includes:

Medieval Heraldry - Wednesday, February 1

Normandy -- the Desired Duchy - Wednesday, February 8

Medieval Jerusalem - Wednesday, February 15

The Mayhem of the Merovingians - Wednesday, February 22

To register for individual classes of the series, please click on the class titles above.

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.

What on earth is meant by “gules, three lions passant guardant in pale or armed and langued azure”? One of the most iconic elements of medieval life, heraldry and coats of arms evoke courtly romances as much as battlefield clashes. Join us as we learn heraldic origins, terminology, and uses from the Middle Ages.

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.

Perched beside Brittany on France’s Channel coast, the duchy of Normandy has a colorful history of changing hands in the Middle Ages.  Occupied since prehistory, it was the province of Celtic tribes in Roman times, became a tenth-century Norse outpost, launched a party that conquered Sicily, and spent time connected to the English crown.  This lecture will take us through archeological evidence, narratives of exploits, and the evocative coastlines of this much-desired region.

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.

The central city of three monotheisms and the site of cultural diversity, Jerusalem also plays many symbolic and mystical roles in medieval hearts. This lecture will traverse major landmarks like the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Temple Mount, peruse medieval maps depicting the holy city, and hear from chroniclers and crusaders who luckily visited it.

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.

Bishop Gregory of Tours left us ten volumes of history right up to his own sixth-century days, when the Merovingian dynasty ruled the Franco-German region. Except the picture isn’t exactly flattering: full of court intrigue, violence, vendetta, and (perhaps unintended) humor, Gregory introduces us to a whole host of characters with outlandish names. Join us as we meet some of the Theudebalds, Chariberts, and Brunhildas that populate his pages and give us a glimpse into the Frankish world.

Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.