Spring 2026
Thomas Paine, Common Sense, and the Coming of Independence
February 12, 2026
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GO Art! Batavia, NY
with Historian Derek Maxfield
After being postponed in January, our February lecture was on Thomas Paine, whose January 1776 pamphlet “Common Sense” would fuel the rhetoric of patriotism that would lead to American independence.
Scapegoat of Andersonville: The Trial of Henry Wirz and the Victorian Obsession with True Crime
March 12, 2026
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GO Art! Batavia, NY
with Historian Jess Maxfield
Following the Civil War, the prisoner-of-war camp at Andersonville became a symbol of the immense human suffering faced by captives on both sides of the war. Facing two halves of a country seeking blood in answer for the systemic failure of the Confederacy to care for Union prisoners, the military trial of camp commandant Captain Henry Wirz, held responsible for this atrocity, would be one of the most politically charged and sensationalized trials of the century. Join historian Jess Maxfield in unpacking the trial of Henry Wirz and its place in the evolution of American true crime.
Dr. Benjamin Rush, America’s Forgotten Founding Father
April 9, 2026
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GO Art! Batavia, NY
with Historian Derek Maxfield
While he is one of the most fascinating men to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Dr. Benjamin Rush is often forgotten as a founding father. Trained in Europe, Rush was one of the most educated men in America. His medical practice would be one of the most robust in Philadelphia – though his practices have been controversial. Come hear about this remarkable man in April’s lecture with historian Derek Maxfield.
Consent of the Governed? 250 Years of Voting in America
May 7, 2026
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GO Art! Batavia, NY
with Historian Terrianne Schulte
Americans have long prided themselves in the creation of a government based on democracy, but the road to democracy was far less straightforward than we tend to remember. D’Youville history professor Terrianne Schulte explores 250 years of American suffrage.
Fall 2025
Santa in the Making
with Historian Derek Maxfield
December 17, 2025
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GO Art! Batavia, NY
While the myth of Santa Claus has its roots in many European legends, including Saint Nicholas, the truth is that Santa was born and reared in America in the 19th century. The story started with innocent attempts to amuse children but caught the national consciousness when retailers saw the opportunity to make Christmas into a cultural (and profitable) juggernaut. It is a fascinating story, but may not be suitable for children or “true believers.”
