Upcoming Lectures by the Falmouth Historical Society

Looking for some relief from the winter blahs? Beginning next month, the will host a series of winter lectures and programs leading up to a full slate of programs in the summer and fall. Due to the construction of the Historical Society’s new Education Center, these programs will be held at different venues to accommodate the public.

• Wednesday, February 15, 6:30pm: Michael McNaught discusses “Black Soldiers in the Civil War." Local historian Michael McNaught, celebrating Black History Month, will examine the roles played by African American soldiers with the Union Army during the American Civil War. This lecture will be held at the , 137 Gifford Street, Falmouth.

• Wednesday, February 22, 6:30pm: William Fowler discusses his new book “An American Crisis: George Washington and the Dangerous Two Years after Yorktown, 1781-1783.” Most people believe the American Revolution ended in October 1781, after the Battle of Yorktown; in fact, the war continued for two more traumatic years. During that time, the Revolution came closer to being lost than at any time in the previous half-dozen. Author William Fowler, former director of the Massachusetts Historical Society and emeritus professor of history at Northeastern University, examines how Washington held the Revolution together at a time when all of his victories might have been for naught. This lecture and book signing will be held at the , 60 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. Copies of the book will be available for sale.

• Friday, March 16, 6:30pm: “Irish Need Not Apply: A History of the Irish in Massachusetts." In advance of St. Patrick’s Day, historian Christopher Daley looks at how the Irish emigrated and survived coming to Massachusetts.  This lecture will be held at the , 68 Main Street, Falmouth.

• Friday, March 30, 6:30pm: Harlow Giles Unger discusses “American Tempest: How the Boston Tea Party Sparked a Revolution.” On Thursday, December 16, 1773, an estimated seven dozen men, many dressed as Indians, dumped roughly £10,000 worth of tea in Boston Harbor. Whatever their motives at the time, they unleashed a social, political, and economic firestorm that would culminate in the Declaration of Independence two-and-a-half years later. Author Harlow Giles Unger, one of America’s foremost historians, will be on hand to lecture about this event and to sign copies of his book. This lecture will be held at the , 68 Main Street, Falmouth.

The cost for all of these programs is $5 for non-members and $4 for members.  Reservations are not required and tickets can be purchased at the venue or at the Historical Society, 65 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth. For more information, call 508-548-4857.