NEW Explore the people, places and moments that defined the Continental Army's fight for survival in the fall of 1776. Join Main Line School Night’s favorite historian, Maj. Larry Swesey (USA-Ret.) for a captivating, two-day guided journey retracing the battles of the New York Campaign from the bruising Battle of Brooklyn and dramatic overnight escape, through Manhattan, White Plains, Fort Lee, and the pivotal turning point at Trenton.  Excursion includes a private lunch and museum visit at the historic Fraunces Tavern, comfortable overnight accommodations and buffet breakfast. See Maj. Swesey's Trying Times lecture on 9/23/26. (3 Feet: Extenisve Walking and Lengthy Periods of Standing.)

NEW Why do Iranians and Americans hate and distrust each other to the point of going to war? Perhaps surprisingly, the hostility does not stem from cultural or religious differences, but from the Cold War. In 1946, 1953, and 1979, the U.S. wanted stability from an oil-rich country on the edge of the Soviet empire. Iranians wanted all sorts of things that clashed with U.S. aims. For 47 years, the clash has been open and acrimonious.

If we look back at writers ranging from Plato to George Orwell, there have always been a wide variety of political philosophies — everything from monarchism to philosopher-kings to anarcho-syndicalism. Continue to broaden your understanding of political thought and the valuable insights they offer in addressing the challenges of political polarization, classism, and societal instability.

NEW Go beyond the daily news, however important that news might be. Examine six critical components of a president's performance - communication, decision making, political skill, vision, personality, and character. Examples will be provided from the performance of recent presidents in relation to these components. Also look at the effect of the electoral process on presidential performance. 

NEW Robert Louis Stevenson penned a world-famous thriller in which Dr. Jekyll, convinced that all people have two personalities, concocts a drug to separate one person into two personalities and tests it on himself. Enter Mr. Hyde – Dr. Jekyll’s alter ego – who is as depraved and vicious as Dr. Jekyll is virtuous and kindly. Experience the eternal battle between good and evil.

NEW Our ancestors needed light in their lives every bit as much as we do. Yet, their resources were comparatively meager. Consider the primitive beginnings of artificial light in early America and trace the various means of its development to the time of the incandescent bulb.

The work done by the citizenry of this nation in the last quarter of the eighteenth century was fundamental to the establishment of our nation. But a valid argument exists that without the aid of foreign supporters the nation’s foundation would not have succeeded. Delve into the philosophies, communications, and actions of a handful of significant men, Lafayette, von Steuben, Pulaski, Rochambrau and others, that directly contributed to the existence of the U.S. 

NEW Katz will present excerpts from his numerous historical documentaries, explore the journey that led him to this work, and excavate some of Philadelphia's most interesting characters, events and stories. The portfolio of historical documentaries covers numerous moments that have been unsung, hidden or simply forgotten. Sam and History Making Productions have been awarded 18 Emmys and were the 2021 Winners of the Ken Burns Prize for Film.