MPL Talks

06 29, 2018

After a Civil War Battle: Burying the Dead

By |2018-06-29T06:00:59-04:00June 29, 2018|

We’ve hosted years worth of programs about the different Civil War Battles. But what happens after the battle?

What happens to the dead, wounded and captured? What happens to the ruined cities and farms?

Jessica Beam, a ranger at James A. Garfield National Historic Sitediscusses what happens when the battle ends during our monthly Civil War lecture.

She explains how the Union, Confederacy, doctors, chaplains, families and even towns dealt with the enormous number of dead of wounded.

Our Civil War series continues at noon on Wednesday, July 11, at our Main Branch. The topic will be the history of the Medal of Honor.

By the way, if you’re interested in Civil War history, some other previous talks in our Civil War series can be viewed online in their entirety:

05 6, 2018

MPL Talks: The Easter Rising of 1916

By |2018-05-06T06:00:56-04:00May 6, 2018|

We have a treat for those who enjoy the work of our resident historian John Foster.

Foster recently discussed the Easter Rising of 1916 during a special program at Concord Township Community Center. We filmed and are sharing the talk for those who could not attend.

The Easter Rising (also known as the Easter Rebellion) began when a small group of Irish republicans tried to wrest independence from the United Kingdom in the midst of World War I.

Foster explains what transpired during the Easter Rising and how its failure (and its leaders’ executions) launched a series of Irish uprisings.

For those who want to learn more, Foster recommends 1916: One Hundred Years of Irish Independence by Tim Pat Coogan.

Additionally, Foster — who, in addition to being a reference librarian, has a doctorate degree in European history — began his US Presidents of the 20th Century series in April. He started with a lecture on the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt.

His series continues at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, with a focus on Woodrow Wilson. The talk is free to attend and open to all.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

04 4, 2018

MPL Talks: Ambrose Burnside – Innovator in Facial Hair & Firearms

By |2018-04-04T06:00:13-04:00April 4, 2018|

Major General Ambrose Burnside is best known for two things: his failures as a Civil War general and that facial hair.

But Burnside led a remarkable life both before and after the Civil War.

Matt Jones of the James A. Garfield National Historic Site put Burnside beneath the microscope during the March lecture of our Leaders & Legacies of the Civil War series. He discussed how:

  • Burnside created a rifle so impressive that it was the third most popular carbine during the Civil War
  • Burnside’s innovations in firearms nearly ruined him
  • Burnside befriended Otto von Bismarck during the Franco-Prussian war
  • his ex-girlfriend became a Confederate spy

Our Civil War series continues at noon on Wednesday, April 11, at our Main Branch. The topic will be the Mexican-American War where many Union and Confederate generals, including Burnside, began their military careers. The talk is free and open to all.

If you’re interested in Civil War history, some other previous talks in our Civil War series can be viewed online in their entirety:

03 30, 2018

Get orchid advice from a master gardener

By |2018-03-30T06:00:19-04:00March 30, 2018|

Lake County Master Gardener Susan Cowling offered advice on caring for orchids when she visited earlier this month.

She makes recommendations for watering, light, humidity, fertilizer, and potting the lovely (and surprisingly hardy) plants. She also suggests some lovely starter orchids for novice gardeners.

Speaking of gardening, did you know MPL has a seed library? Here’s how it works:

You can borrow heirloom and organic seeds from us the same way you’d borrow a book or movie.

You can pick from our dozens of varieties of herbs, flowers, vegetables and fruit seeds. Take up to 15 types of seed per year.

All we ask is that when the seeds grow into plants,  you save some of its seeds and return them to the library.

For more gardening tips, including a seed-planting calendar, visit our Seed Library’s page.

10 25, 2017

MPL Talks: Winston Churchill & the Battle of Britain

By |2017-10-25T06:00:33-04:00October 25, 2017|

Our Major Leaders of World War II series concludes with a closer look at Winston Churchill.

Our speaker, John Foster—who, in addition to being a librarian, also has a doctorate degree in history—discussed:

  • Churchill’s acumen as a leader, speaker, soldier, writer, war correspondent, and drinker.
  • Churchill’s relationship with Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Stalin.

For those who want a deeper dive into Churchill’s life, Foster recommends the William Manchester biographies.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

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