SPRING2014

HISTORY PROJECTMichael J. ColliganThe Presence of the Past

WEDNESDAY4.16.14

THE ROBERT McCLOSKEY CENTENNIAL

JIM BLOUNT HISTORY EDUCATOR AWARD PRESENTATION & LECTURE

Join us to recognize outstanding teachers who exem-plify the excellence in history education epitomized by Mr. Blount’s career. Nominate by letter to Colligan History Project, Miami University Hamilton, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, or ellisocw@miamioh.edu.

The War of 1812 and the Long Struggle for the WestFrançois Furstenberg, Johns Hopkins University7:30pm, Harry T. Wilks Conference Center

The War of 1812 may pale beside events like the French and Indian War, American Revolution or Civil War, yet it was the final battle in a half-century struggle for control of the American continent. Recent scholarship suggests new ways of thinking about the War of 1812 and the bitterly contested Ohio Valley at the center of a global conflict. Reception follows.

TUESDAY5.6.14

Hamilton Campus

Hamilton Campus

History educator award 2014

Jim BlountAmerican Dreamer Robert McCloskey and the Art of the Picture BookLeonard S. Marcus Children’s Book Historian, Author, Critic 7:30pm, Harry T. Wilks Conference Center

Robert McCloskey crafted iconic images of child-hood, family and community life as he elevated the children’s picture book to an authentic art form. In this illustrated talk the nation’s leading historian of children’s literature explores the career of an artist- storyteller born in Hamilton who won two Caldecott Medals. Co-sponsored by the Lane Libraries. Reception follows.

Make Way for Ducklings sculpture by Nancy Schön, Boston Public Garden

HISTORY PROJECTMichael J. Colligan

The Presence of the PastTHIS SPRING we explore many ways the past has shaped our present experience. JOIN US for exciting programs on the emergence of a new kind of national leadership during the Civil War, and the legacies of a half-century military conflict for control of the American West. PARTICIPATE as musical performers render our National Anthem, and we hear the story of how The Star Spangled Banner was written in the midst of battle. BE HERE as the nation’s leading historian of illustrated children’s literature explores the importance of Hamilton’s Robert McCloskey, the children’s author who wrote Make Way for Ducklings and Lentil. LEARN about the history of our region as Shaun Higgins interviews former City Manager “Jack” Kirsch for Heritage Stories. CELEBRATE as we give the Jim Blount History Educator Award to distinguished local teachers.

AMERICAN WARS & AMERICAN LIFE

Lincoln and the Gettysburg MomentMartin Johnson Miami University7:30pm Harry T. Wilks Conference Center

HERITAGE STORIES OF THE MIAMI VALLEY

An Interview with Bernard J. “Jack” KirshModerated by Shaun Higgins7pm Miami Hamilton Downtown 221 High St., Robinson-Schwenn Bldg.

WEDNESDAY2.12.14

To mark Abraham Lincoln’s 205th birth-day we stand with

him at Gettysburg where he had a prepared speech, but when speaking was moved to a new urgency, inspiration and understanding of the American experiment. Professor Johnson reconstructs Lincoln’s journey to a radical vision of the meaning of the Civil War. Reception follows.

Jack Kirsch, City Manager of Hamilton, Ohio, 1975-1983, had a

distinguished and visionary public service career. During his tenure the High Street Underpass, Columbia Bridge, Route 4 Bypass, Southwest-ern Ohio Industrial District, Butler Regional Highway, Twin Run Golf Course and other projects import-ant to both the city and region were completed. Reception follows.

AMERICAN WARS & AMERICAN LIFE

Through the Perilous FightThe Story of The Star Spangled Banner at the Battle for BaltimoreSteve Vogel, The Washington Post7:30pm, Harry T. Wilks Conference CenterWith special performances of our National Anthem by Bess-Arlene Camacho, Soprano, and Hamilton High School’s award-winning Rhapsody In Blue Show Choir.

Steve Vogel covered the fall of the Berlin Wall, the first Gulf War, operations in Somalia, Rwanda and the Balkans, the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon, and was an embedded journalist in Iraq. Tonight he tells the fascinating story of how Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner during the War of 1812. Reception follows.

THURSDAY3.13.14

WEDNESDAY4.2.14

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