Here you may find a list of my upcoming speaking engagements.

March 31 2027, 6:00-7:00 PM
“Recontextualizing Shays’ Rebellion“
West Springfield Public Library, West Springfield MA
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The Regulation of 1786-7 commonly known as Shays’ Rebellion is well known to people of Western Mass, and nationally is known as an event that spawned the movement to revise the Articles of Confederation into our current Constitution. The tale is typically told from the perspective of the Massachusetts Government, but is that an accurate take? In this lecture, we explore the truths behind the common myths.

April 24 2027, 12:30-2:30 PM
“Life and Times of the Common Connecticut Soldier in the Civil War“
Putnam Public Library, Putnam CT
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The stories of battles and political and military leaders in the American Civil War is arguably the most discussed and written-about topic in American history. That is not the focus of this talk. Rather, we will discuss how the conflict was experienced by the common person, in a bottom-up view, using the diaries, letters, and memoirs of everyday people, with a focus on those from Putnam, the Quiet Corner and neighboring regions.

Past Events

August 19 2026, 6:00-7:30 PM
“Life and Times of the Common Citizen Soldier in the Civil War“
West Springfield Public Library, West Springfield MA
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The stories of battles and political and military leaders in the American Civil War is arguably the most discussed and written-about topic in American history. That is not the focus of this talk. Rather, we will discuss how the conflict was experienced by the common person, in a bottom-up view, using the diaries, letters, and memoirs of everyday people, with a focus on those from Western Massachusetts and neighboring regions.

August 12 2026, 6:00 PM
“Baseball’s Own Civil War 1848-1865″
Putnam Public Library, Putnam CT
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An exploration of the conflict in the early days of the game of “base ball” during the American Civil War, between the 1848 “Knickerbocker” New York rules, and the 1858 Massachusetts “Town Ball” style of play, and how the Civil War helped spread and settle the debate as to which variant would become the national pastime.

June 24 2026, 6:00-7:30 PM
“Baseball’s Own Civil War 1848-1865”
West Springfield Public Library, West Springfield MA
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An exploration of the conflict in the early days of the game of “base ball” during the American Civil War, between the 1848 “Knickerbocker” New York rules, and the 1858 Massachusetts “Town Ball” style of play, and how the Civil War helped spread and settle the debate as to which variant would become the national pastime.

Saturday May 4 2025
“A Chat With Orrin Cook, Civil War Draftee”
Westfield University, Westfield MA
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Discussion about Springfield and West Springfield MA resident Orrin Cook who was drafted to serve in the American Civil War, and his post-war life, using his diaries and letters home as the basis for understanding this complex and fascinating individual, who is of a class of person rarely cited in the public history– the common soldier, draftee.