To see the PowerPoint from Phil Wirey’s presentation about Andrew Jackson (delivered on August 14th), CLICK HERE.
To see the PowerPoint from Phil Wirey’s presentation about James Longstreet (delivered on August 28th), CLICK HERE.
If you missed Master Photographer John Dersham’s My Alabama presentation, please CLICK HERE to visit his website. You can also visit his Facebook page.
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JUNE 2019 |
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Friday, June 14th12:00pm – 2:00pm Youth Services Department |
Forrest Emory Burleson and Charlie Williams: An Adventure in Friendship and Educational ServicePresented by David A. Burleson and Wylheme H. Ragland Professor Forrest Emory Burleson and Custodian Charlie Willis Williams forged a friendship of mutual respect that lasted decades, provided an educational environment for children, and was a source of Hartselle civic pride. This presentation will examine their service, friendship, and impact on Hartselle. |
Thursday, June 20th6:30pm Main Area |
Where There’s a Need: The Spiritualism and Philanthropy of Daisy Nolan, from Old Town to Decatur and BeyondPresented by LeRoy Ellis, Jr. and Wylheme H. Ragland Mrs. Daisy Murphy Nolan, known to Old Town residents and beyond as “Miss Daisy”, descended from a pre-Civil War family, was a philanthropist, entrepreneur and spiritualist, and was frequently counted on by those in the community when needs arose. Learn more about this fascinating Decatur citizen. |
Thursday, June 27th12:00pm – 2:00pm Youth Services Department |
Morgan County CourthousesPresented by John Allison, Morgan County Archivist Morgan County’s current courthouse is by no means the first. This program will discuss the locations and buildings which previously served as Morgan County’s court houses. |
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JULY 2019 July 20, 2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. July’s Summer Series programs will highlight the Apollo program.
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CANCELLED
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CANCELLED due to circumstances beyond our control.
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Thursday, July 25th6:30pm Main Area |
Project Apollo: One of Man’s Greatest AchievementsPresented by Bob Jaques, contract historian from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (retired) This program will be an overview of Apollo 1 – Apollo 17, with an emphasis on Apollo 11 (when we landed on the moon.) There will also be memorabilia to view. |
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AUGUST 2019 |
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Friday, August 9th6:00pm – 8:00pm Main Area |
The Al Keith BandJoin The Al Keith Band for a free concert in the Library! There will be music from the 1950s to modern day. Dancing is not required but is encouraged! |
Monday, August 12th12:00pm – 2:00pm Youth Services Department |
The Tennessee River and Northwest AlabamaPresented by Carolyn M. Barske Crawford , Director of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area & Brian Murphy, Curator for the Florence Indian Mound Museum This program will examine the significant role of the river in shaping life in northwest Alabama. The presentation will share stories of people and places along the Muscle Shoals stretch of the river, as well as images. |
Wednesday, August 14th12:00pm – 2:00pm Youth Services Department |
The Life and Times of Andrew JacksonPresented by Phil Wirey, Morgan County Historical Society This talk will concentrate not only on Andrew Jackson’s accomplishments, but the rise and fall of his popularity over the last two hundred years. It will also cover the role that Andrew Jackson played in shaping the state of Alabama. |
Friday, August 23rd6:00pm Main Area |
Movie Night & Discussion: Green BookPanel: Wylheme Ragland, Frances Tate, Ann Edmonds, Curtis Davis and Ed Greene We’ll screen the movie Green Book and then discuss travel conditions for Black people in the Jim Crow South. |
Wednesday, August 28th12:00pm – 2:00pm Youth Services Department |
James Longstreet: General Lee’s “Old War Horse”Presented by Phil Wirey, Morgan County Historical Society Presentation on General James Longstreet, who was one of the top two Confederate Generals under Robert E. Lee. The talk will discuss his life and times, including his youth spent in Somerville…right here in Morgan County. |
Thursday, August 29th12:00pm – 2:00pm Youth Services Department |
John Dersham’s My AlabamaIn My Alabama, Master Photographer John Alexander Dersham presents two hundred images revealing the diversity and bounty of our home state as we celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of statehood. Meet the author/photographer and learn about how and where his beautiful photos were taken.
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2018 Lunch & Learn Series:
June 11th |
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The Infamous Kate Lackner with John Allison |
June 13th |
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The Scottsboro Trials with Peggy Allen Towns |
June 25th |
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Bankhead National Forest & Its People with Rickey Butch Walker |
June 27th |
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Founding Women of Decatur with Phil Wirey |
July 9th |
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Early Native American Life in North Alabama with Shannon Fuller KeithLinks mentioned: http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/exhibits http://www.cherokeeheritage.org/
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July 11th |
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Decatur City Cemetery with Phil Wirey |
July 16th |
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The Burleson Family in Black & White with Wylheme Ragland & David Burleson |
July 30th |
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Decatur in the Civil War with David Breland |
August 6th |
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The History of Delano Park and the Story of Its Conservancy with David Breland, Sally Smartt, Barbara Kelly & Nell Standridge |
August 8th |
– | Celebrating Early Old Town with Art (CEOTA) with Frances Tate |
August 13th |
– | The Broadus Family with Phil Wirey |
August 27th |
– | The Story of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and Its Work
Presented by Susan Estes, Refuge Ranger Teresa Adams & Mary Lee Ratliff Visit the Refuge’s website Visit the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association This program will focus on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the refuge system, how to help and participate in the refuge, and the importance of advocating for its needs. |
2017 Lunch & Learn Series
DPL’s Lunch & Learn sessions present an educational talk/discussion about a subject in a casual environment. Bring your lunch (if you are so inclined) and we will provide beverages and dessert. All are invited to this free program.
These programs are designed with adults in mind; accompanied children with an interest in the subject matter are welcome but be aware that the content may be of a mature nature.
Lunch & Learn sessions take place in the Community Room and last from 12pm to 2pm on the date they occur. Dates are scheduled based on speaker availability.
The following sessions were scheduled to coincide with the 2017 Alabama Bicentennial celebration Exploring Our Places:
- June 28 (Wednesday) – “The Story of Decatur: From Pre-history to Present-Day” presented by David Breland, Director of Historic Resources for the City of Decatur
- June 30 (Friday) – “Backtracking: The History of the Railroad in Decatur” presented by David Breland
CLICK HERE to see the video Decatur: The Railroad City.
- July 13 (Thursday)—”Words From Removal: Cherokee Removal through Eyewitness Accounts” presented by Shannon Keith, President of the Alabama Trail of Tears Association
CLICK HERE to see the video about the Trail of Tears that Shannon shared with us.
- July 26 (Wednesday) – “Decatur’s History & Its Cemeteries,” presented by Phil Wirey
Lunch & Learn PowerPoint Presentation
- August 8 (Tuesday) – “Successful Women of Old Town Decatur: The Best, Brightest and Well Connected” presented by Wylheme H. Ragland
- Miss Athelyne Celest Banks: educator, philanthropist, civic leader
- Grace Elvina Hinds Duggan Curzon: Marschioiness Curzon of Kedleston
- Abbie Robinson Schaudies: she and other women of Old Town would not leave their husbands, family, and community during the Decatur 1878 Yellow Fever Epidemic
- Ada Garth Sykes: businesswoman, real estate holdings
- August 22 (Tuesday) – “19th Century Aldermen of Old Town Decatur, 1880 – 1892” presented by Wylheme H. Ragland
- Burrell W. Lemmons
- Matthew Hewlett Banks
- Charles Pearl Sykes: Alderman and later Justice of the Peace
- August 26 (Saturday) – “Celebrating Early Old Town with Art” presented by Frances Tate.
- September 9 (Saturday)- “The River Clay Festival” presented by Noel King, Mary Reed, and Beth Bachuss.
- Noel King – All About River Clay
- Mary Reed – What NOT to Say to a Visiting Artist
- Beth Bachuss – How to Talk Like an Art Critic
- September 20 (Wednesday)-“Mildred Nungester Wolfe and the Decatur Arts,” presented by Phil Wirey.
- The presentation will highlight the life, career, and art work of Mildred Nungester Wolfe and her impact on art in Decatur and the Southeast including her painting of Eudora Welty that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.
CLICK HERE for the Lunch & Learn Book List.
2017 begins Alabama’s Bicentennial celebration by recognizing the 200th
anniversary of Alabama becoming a territory. The Alabama 200 Commission has designated this year’s theme as “Discovering Our Places.” With that in mind, the Bicentennial Editions of our Lunch & Learn series focuses on learning more about the history of our city.
To learn more about Alabama’s bicentennial celebration, click here.
For questions about DPL’s Lunch & Learn programs contact Rhonda or
Stephanie at (256) 353-2993 ext. 106.