Special Evening Lectures
Beginning at 6:30pm In the Nichols Dining Room* Cost: $8/ free for FTM members,
Includes light refreshments.
The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers
Presented by Thomas Fleming†
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
With his usual storytelling flair, Tom Fleming examines the women who were at the center of the lives of the founding fathers. In their youth, mothers powerfully shaped their visions of domestic life while lovers and wives played critical roles as friends and partners in fame throughout adulthood. From Washington’s early tortured love for the coquettish Sarah Fairfax, Hamilton’s adulterous betrayal of his wife and their reconciliation, and Jefferson’s loss of wife and daughter from labor complications, we learn that the founding fathers strove to reconcile their private and public lives while often being harassed by a media every bit as inflammatory as ours of today.
Fatal Journey
The Final Expedition of Henry Hudson
Presented by Peter Mancall†
Wednesday*, February 10th, 2010
*Please Note Different Day
After a year of celebrating the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s European discovery of New York, 2010 finds us remembering another one of his journeys – his final voyage. In April of 1610, Hudson set sail on the Discovery with a crew of 22 (including his teenaged son) on his 4th expedition in search of a shorter route to the Far East. Rather than return to England as winter approached, Hudson set anchor in the bay named for him and the Discovery became stuck in ice for seven months. With their provisions dwindling, the crew finally mutinied in the spring, forcing Hudson, his son, and seven other sailors in a skiff to float in the bay, and headed home to England. This story of adventure, desperation, and tragedy reveals that the resolute will which served Hudson so well in exploration also led to his demise.
Invisible Ink
Spycraft of the American Revolution
Presented by John Nagy †
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
During the American Revolution, espionage was critical to both the successes and failures of Continental and British efforts. While the most notorious episode of spying during the war (the Benedict Arnold affair) was a failure, most intelligence operations succeeded. With meticulous research, John Nagy traces the history of spy techniques from ancient China through Elizabethan England before embarking on the various techniques used during the American War for Independence. Such methods included dictionary codes, diplomatic ciphers, hidden compartments (including a hollowed-out bullet or a woman's garter), and even musical notation. Taking a close look at spy rings such as the Culper ring that provided Washington with information from inside British-controlled New York City, we learn that those employed in cloak-and-dagger operations always risked death. After nearly two decades of primary research, Nagy reveals puzzling methods, codes, and ciphers that have remained a mystery until now.
† Books will be available for purchase -discounts apply for Museum members
* Due to security regulations, the Museum will be closed to the public after 5pm. Lectures will take place in the Nichols Dining Room, located on the 2nd floor via the Fraunces Tavern® Restaurant elevator. Please note that attending a lecture does not include admission to the Museum at this time.
Directions:
FTM is located at 54 Pearl Street, at the corner of Broad Street, in Lower Manhat-tan. Subway R/W to Whitehall St., 4/5 to Bowling Green, 2/3 to Wall Street, 1 to South Ferry, J/M/Z to Broad Street. Buses: M1, M6, M15.
Lunchtime Lectures
These talks begin at 12:30 in the Flag Gallery and are free with museum admission: $10/$5 students and seniors. (Museum members always free.)
TBA
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