Your Virtual Senior Center
Senior Learning Network Virtual Programming at The Thompson
Please call to reserve your spot. Let us know if you would prefer to view from home or watch from the Thompson and leave the technology to us.
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Tuesday, June 7, 2:00 pm
At first glance, Abraham Lincoln and James A. Garfield have some obvious similarities: they were both bearded Republican presidents struck down by assassins. But there’s much more to the story than that! Lincoln and Garfield knew one another and shared many similar views. In fact, without Lincoln’s intervention, James Garfield might never have served in Congress or become President of the United States. But there were also some stark differences between the two as well, and Garfield privately expressed frustration with President Lincoln. This presentation will explore many of the similarities and differences between the nation’s sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln, and its twentieth President, James A. Garfield.
Exploring Lincoln in Washington:
National Mall and Ford’s Theatre
Tuesday, June 14, 2:00 pm, at home viewing only
Ford’s Theatre and The National Mall and Memorial Parks join forces to explore what Washington, D.C., was like for President Lincoln and how the city has grown and changed over time. Examine places that mattered to Lincoln during his lifetime and places where he matters to us today, including the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Ford’s Theatre. In this interactive program, participants will look closely at historic and contemporary images of Washington D.C. including maps, photographs and illustrations.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Tuesday, June 21, 2;00 pm
The building of the Casa Grande was a major event of the Classic Period (1100 – 1450 C.E.). The best dating methods available indicate that this large, caliche structure was built during the 1300’s. The construction appears to have been well planned and organized, requiring tons of material and a huge cooperative effort on the part of many people. Today we can only marvel at the Casa Grande and try to imagine what it was used for. Though many theories have been suggested, we still aren’t sure as to its purpose. All we can assume is that the Casa Grande must have been very important to the people who built it. Join us as we learn about this fascinating mystery in Arizona!
Truman Presidential Library: The Upset of the Century
Tuesday, June 28, 2:00 pm
Truman’s approval in 1948 was at an all-time low. Still, he enjoyed being President. He threw himself into the challenge of his long-shot re-election bid with confidence and verve. His aggressive cross-country “Whistle Stop” campaign began nearly broke.
Flanked by Bess “The Boss” Truman and crowd favorite Margaret, he crisscrossed the country thee times by train. He met with Midwestern farmers and cheering crowds in Harlem. He stressed high prices and housing. He attacked the “Do Nothing” 80th Congress. In the last campaign where television did not play a role, Truman spoke directly with voters.
His win over the heavily favored Republican candidate, Thomas Dewey, was one of the greatest upsets in U.S. political history.