History

Explore the battles, the leadership, and the human drama of the Civil War. Discuss the causes of the Civil War and the major battles including First Manassas, Peninsula, Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg. Examine the dramatic Surrender at Appomattox. Finally, analyze the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.

Thursday, February 12-26, 11am – 1pm, $89

3 Sessions

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-351

During the Cold War, the United States, Soviet Union, and China competed not only in space and arms development, but in the mind. Discover fascinating stories of how Governments explored ESP, remote viewing, telepathy, and psychokinesis, hoping for strategic and intelligence advantages. Trace the surprising history behind those efforts and the scientists, soldiers, mystics, and political forces that shaped them. Explore a fascinating chapter of Cold War history where geopolitics, science, and the extraordinary converged.

Friday, March 6, 10:30am – 12pm, $49

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-354

A look at Reconstruction following the American Civil War and its effects on our country, felt immediately and today. Examine life in the post-war South, Jim Crow laws, the mythology of the Lost Cause and its reflection in the popular films The Birth of a Nation and Gone with the Wind. The portrayal of African Americans in early 20th Century pop-culture and contemporary issues, such as the removal of Confederate flags and statues from public spaces will be discussed.

Thursday, March 26 – April 2, 11am – 1pm, $69

2 Session

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-352

Throughout the sixteenth century, the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of society were greatly impacted by competing Christian beliefs of the traditional Catholics and the Protestant reformers. In a world very different from our secular and diverse society, the religious beliefs of people led them to take up arms against the monarch, bravely face horrific deaths, become exiles from their homeland and ultimately, see dramatic and lasting change in Tudor England.

Wednesday, March 4-18, 10:30am – 12:30pm, $89

3 Sessions

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMG-353

Begin with (Teddy) Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. Discuss Trust Busting, Square Deal, American Imperialism and World War I. Move to Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, (Franklin), Roosevelt and Truman. Discuss Prohibition, Roaring 20s, Stock Market Crash and Great Depression, The New Deal, World War II and the decision to drop the Atomic Bomb.

Friday, March 6 & 13, 1pm – 3pm, $69

2 Sessions

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-355

When the RMS Titanic sank in 1912, barely 700 people survived – including six Chinese men. But instead of compassion, they were met with suspicion and slander. Within 24-hours of arriving in New York, they were expelled from the country – and then vanished from history.

What became of them, and why were their lives erased? The Six follows an epic international investigation to uncover the truth, shedding light on survival, dignity, and the enduring impact of racism and anti-immigrant policies. Join maritime historian and co-creator of The Six book and documentary. Steven Schwankert, as he shares his journey of research and the untold story of these forgotten survivors.

Wednesday, April 15, 10:30am – 12pm, $39

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-358

Program supported through the generosity of The Friends of Lifelong Learning

Iceland is a land of breathtaking contrasts, where nature’s most powerful forces have shaped its landscape over millennia. Born from volcanic eruptions and sculpted by glacial ice, this island is a living testament to the dynamic forces of fire and dice. Towering volcanoes, erupting with fiery fury, give birth to vast lava fields, while glaciers carve out rugged valleys and pristine waterfalls. Explore the incredible geological processes that have created one of the most unique and beautiful landscapes on Earth.

Thursday, March 12, 10:30am – 12:30pm, $49

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-356

Explore the tense moments, miscommunications, and political power plays that nearly brought the world to disaster during The Cold War (1947-1991). Instead of fighting each other directly, the U.S. and the Soviet Union often supported opposing sides in conflicts around the world. The Cold War extended into space exploration, with both superpowers competing to achieve significant milestones. Discover how close we came – and what kept the world from going over the brink.

Thursday, March 26, 10:30am – 12:30pm, $49

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-357

Originally intended as a moral crusade to eliminate alcohol-related problems, Prohibition instead unleashed a wave of unintended consequences that reshaped American society. This lecture dives into the social, political, and cultural fallout of America’s “Noble Experiment,” revealing how a movement for temperance gave rise to speakeasies, gangsters, and a public backlash that ultimately repealed the law. Discover how a well-intentioned reform effort spiraled into one of the most ironic chapters in U.S. history.

Thursday, May 7, 10:30am – 12:30pm, $49

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-359

Are government and religion best separated totally? Were they meant to be? When they are closely aligned, who benefits – or not? Consider that theocracy is the oldest form of government on the planet – but is it the best? America began, in large part, as a safe haven for religion or relief from a state’s religion…but only if you were the right religion. What has that meant historically and what are the implications for politics and religion in the United States today? Join Bellitto and Susman for an engaging, thought-provoking exploration – a crucial conversation for this moment.

Thursday, April 9, 10am – 12pm, $49

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-366

Explore art, power, and revolutions that shaped the modern world…

Kings, Queens, and Guillotines

Step into a world of palaces, politics, and profound upheaval as we compare two nations, two monarchies, and two revolutions that changed history forever. Meet Georges III and Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and the legendary Queen of Hearts, and trace the intertwined fates of Britain and France in an era of rising tensions and radical change. Along the way, we’ll examine ambitious leaders -from the emperor-to-be Napoleon to the man who refused a crown, George Washington – and the chilling rise of the guillotine. It’s a dramatic tale of power, revolution, and the dawn of a new-world order.

“Painting” the American Revolution

Discover the American Revolution through the vibrant lens of fine arts. Experience a lively exploration of how paintings, poems, portraits, sculptures, and music not only documented the birth of our nation but also helped shape the ideas that still define us today. Uncover surprising stories behind iconic works, highlight artists who influenced public opinion, and even reveal what “macaroni” really meant in the song Yankee Doodle. (Go ahead – try not to hum it!) Join us for a colorful look at how creativity helped spark a revolution.

Wednesday, April 29, 10:30am – 1:30pm, $79

Includes Lunch

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMG-110

Discover how Wonder Woman, Superman, Captain America – even Archie Andrews – rallied the U.S. home front before and during WWII. Long before Pearl Harbor, America was already battling Axis villains on the comic book page. These bold, colorful stories turned superheroes and everyday citizens into patriotic icons, entertaining kids, adults, and even soldiers on the front lines. Explore this dynamic, often-overlooked chapter of wartime pop culture and the cartoon heroes who helped shape a nation’s spirit.

Friday, April 17, 10:30am – 12pm, $49

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMG-111

Explore 250 years of Allaire Village through its most influential owners – James P. Allaire, Hal Allaire, Benjamin Harrison, and benefactor Arthur Brisbane. Learn what drew each to this unique site, how their entrepreneurial spirit shaped its development, and how their charitable efforts left lasting marks.

Examine their social and cultural impact, the challenges of preserving Allaire over the centuries, and the pivotal “Brisbane Influence” that secured its future. Gain a deeper appreciation of Allaire’s evolving legacy and how its history continues to inspire today.

Friday, March 6-20, 10am – 12pm, $89

3 Sessions

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMG-360

Explore how the Revolutionary War shaped Monmouth County – its people, conflicts, and communities. Learn about key figures such as Militia Captain Joshua Huddy and Loyalist leader Colonel Tye, and examine the influence of local religious groups, including Dominie Benjamin DuBois, Rev. Samuel Cooke, Rev. John Tennent Woodhull, and prominent Quaker families. Virtually visit 1776-1782 sites across the county. Beyond the Battle of Monmouth Court House, uncover the many raids, skirmishes, and incidents that earned the era the nickname “the Civil War in Monmouth County”.

Monday, April 13-27, 10:30am – 12pm, $89

3 Sessions

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-361

Have you ever wanted to learn the stories behind the headstones? Join historian Greg Caggiano for a look at over a dozen old cemeteries in eastern Monmouth County as he blends profiles of famous figures, hometown heroes, true crime and murders, and even some creepy myths and legends. This entertaining and informative presentation tells the “Hidden History” of our county through the eyes of the people who have lived (and died) here. From Abraham Lincoln’s ancestors to shark attack victims, we will leave no headstone unturned.

Thursday, May 14, 11am – 12:30pm, $49

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-362

Take a walk on the dark side of the city in this gripping true crime talk. Step into the shadows of Asbury Park’s past as we uncover chilling stories of crime, corruption, murder, and mystery that once lurked behind the glitter of the boardwalk. From notorious figures to forgotten victims, this presentation reveals the true events that shaped the city’s hidden history. Discover who survived, who did not – and how these haunting stories continue to echo through Asbury Park today.

Wednesday, February 18, 10:30am – 12pm, $49

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-364

Spend a spring day in Ocean Grove and learn the unique history of the town known as “God’s Square Mile.” Meet at the Great Auditorium, stroll Founder’s Park, come face to face with the statue of The Rev. Ellwood Stokes, the first president of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, walk the boardwalk and visit the quaint downtown. Rain date is April 25.

Please note: no refund will be given if the rain date is used.

Saturday, April 18, 1pm – 3pm, $39

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-363

Before Asbury was cool again, it was wonderfully weird. Join The History Chick for a lively stroll through the city’s iconic moments – eccentric founders, flaming ships, musical legends, and babies bonnets! Discover James A. Bradley’s legacy, the eerie Morro Castle wreck, the Baby Parade, and the sounds of Convention Hall. Meet at the James Bradley Statue for a walk-and-talk, hop on the trolley to Brookdale’s Culinary Arts Center for a gourmet lunch, and return to James Bradley Park with stories to savor.

Wednesday, May 20, 10:30am – 2:30pm, $139

Includes Lunch

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XHUMN-365

In the late 19th century, Baron Maurice de Hirsch helped resettle Jews from the Pale of Settlement in the Russian Empire in agricultural communities across southern New Jersey. Supported by Hirsch and other philanthropic organization, these colonies represented ambitious efforts to build self-sustaining agrarian lives for immigrants escaping tsarist persecution.

Explore the lasting legacy of these settlements through a visit to the Sam Azeez Museum and beautifully preserved synagogue in Woodbine, along with nearby communities such as a Carmel and Alliance. Together, these sites offer a compelling window into an important and often overlooked chapter of American Jewish history.

Wednesday, June 17, 8:15am – 6pm, $195

Includes Lunch

Register HERE (search by course code or title) or call us at 732-224-2315

Search Course Code: XTRVY-340