Uncovering the Environmental History of the American West and more fascinating programs from Smithsonian Associates

Tuesday, September 12

Interstellar: Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars: In his 2021 book Extraterrestrial theoretical physicist Avi Loeb, the longest serving chair of Harvard’s astronomy department, presented a theory that our solar system had likely been visited by a piece of advanced alien technology from a distant star. So, what do we do next? Loeb provides a view of the current progress in science and technology he sees as preparing us for contact. This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

Wednesday, September 13

The Supreme Court: A Preview of the New Term: Each term the Supreme Court hears cases that have the potential to reshape American law on topics including race, elections, education, religious protections and other areas. Join Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of Berkeley Law and one of the nation’s foremost Constitutional scholars, as he previews the critical issues raised in some of the cases the court will take up. This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $20-$25

The Impact of Ferdinand and Isabella: From Christopher Columbus to Charles III: Tudor scholar and historian Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger traces the history of this famous couple and their lasting impact on the thrones of several European nations, particularly the Habsburg empire. She also considers the individual accomplishments of Isabella as a rare female ruler at a time of male domination and how those accomplishments influenced future rulers in other countries, and delineates the legacy of Ferdinand and Isabella and their descendants through royal houses of Europe right up to King Charles III. This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $30-$35

Thursday, September 14

Edward Hopper: American Modernist: Join art historian Bonita Billman to explore Hopper’s career and examine the sociopolitical and cultural contexts in which he lived and worked. Drawing on images of such paintings as Automat, Chop Suey, New York Movie, and his iconic all-night diner, Nighthawks, Billman discusses Hopper’s influences and his enduring relevance. Participants enrolled in the Smithsonian World History Certificate program will earn 1/2 credit. This online program is presented on Zoom from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. $25-$30

University of Maryland historian Richard Bell examines the ways enslaved Americans tried to forge new lives in an African American diaspora. Detail from John Singleton Copley, “The Death of Major Peirson,” 6 January 1781 (1783), Tate Gallery, London

The Pursuit of Happiness: The African American Diaspora in the Revolutionary War: University of Maryland historian Richard Bell explores the extraordinary odyssey of enslaved Americans promised freedom by the British, and examines the ways they tried to pursue happiness and forge an African American diaspora. Bell explores this forgotten chapter of the American Revolution through the life of Harry Washington, a loyalist Mount Vernon stableman who sought to start a new life as an independent farmer. In a surprising climax to this globe-trotting story, Washington and his fellow settlers rebelled in 1797, staging a dramatic uprising to depose the colony’s British administrators and declare their own independence once and for all. This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $25-$30

Discover the Chesapeake Bay with historian Haydon Matthews September 17 during a full-day tour that also features a two-and 1/2-hour tour.

Sunday, September 17

Historic Chestertown with a Cruise on the Schooner Sultana: Step aboard the Sultana, one of the most accurate 18^th-century replicas in the world, for a 2 ½ hour cruise to explore the rich heritage of Chestertown, Maryland with regional historian Hayden Mathews. Then, join Chris Cerino, mayor of Chestertown for an informative walking tour of the town’s National Register Historic District. Lunch at a local restaurant is included. This all-day tour leaves from the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street SW (corner of 6^th & C Sts) at 7:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. $210-$260

Monday, September 18

Reading Faulkner: Chronicler of the Deep South in Literature: Join Michael Gorra, professor of English language and literature at Smith College, as he focuses on Faulkner’s greatest novels and study how his work provides a burning account of the intersection of race, religion and remembrance. In this session, the second in the Reading Faulkner Reading series, Light in August (1932) is discussed on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. $25

The Ganges: River and Goddess: Robert DeCaroli, a professor of art history at George Mason University, traces the Ganges from its origins in the peaks of the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, exploring historic and sacred locations along this mighty river, including Gangotri, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Patna and Kolkata. Participants enrolled in the Smithsonian World History Certificate program will earn 1/2 credit.  This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $30-$35

Wednesday, September 20

Scandalous Royals from George III to Charles III: Join Julie Taddeo, research professor of history at the University of Maryland, as she discusses royal-family scandals from the reigns of the 18th century’s “Mad King” George to the most recently crowned monarch. Taddeo speculates if and how the monarchy can survive in a post-Brexit world under the rule of an elderly king. This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

Thursday, September 21 

Intelligence: The New Cold War: Calder Walton, historian of intelligence and global security at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, goes inside the history of Cold War espionage, counterintelligence and covert action. Using newly declassified records from both sides of the conflict, Walton provides fresh light on some of the most famous and infamous espionage cases, such as the five Cambridge spies, Aldrich Ames in the CIA, and the long history of Kremlin assassinations of its opponents in the West. This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET $20-$25

Chaucer’s European Life: Join biographer Marion Turner, professor of English literature and language at Oxford University, for a fresh account of the extraordinary story of how a wine merchant’s son became the poet of The Canterbury Tales. Turner recounts Chaucer’s experiences as a prisoner of war in France, as a father visiting his daughter’s nunnery, as a member of a chaotic Parliament, and as a diplomat in Milan, interweaving the story of his life with the story of his writings. This online program is presented on Zoom from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. $20-$25

Italian Summer Wine Adventures: A Top Sommelier’s Guide: Spend a fascinating evening expanding your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable wine-tasting adventures. The immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience. (Kits must be picked up from a local Washington, DC wine bar). This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $65-$75

Saturday, September 23

Sunrise Hikes at Great Falls, Virginia: Rise early on an early-fall morning, avoid the crowds, and enjoy a small-group experience in the great outdoors with naturalist Keith Tomlinson. The excursion at Great Falls National Park include a hike past Great Falls and into Mather Gorge, two of the area’s most remarkable geologic features. The hike covers about 3 miles of hilly walking and rocky trails. This tour meets at Difficult Run Parking lot near Great Falls National Park from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET. Additional tours are scheduled for September 24 and September 29. $55-$75

Explore how humans shaped our ancient homeland with Sara Dant’s “An Environmental History of the American West” on September 25. The Wave; Coyote Buttes, Arizona

Monday, September 25

Losing Eden: An Environmental History of the American West: Far from being the wilderness described in early histories, the West was never an undiscovered Eden. Instead, it was an ancient homeland with landscapes that humans have inhabited, modified and managed. In her book Losing Eden: An Environmental History of the American West, historian Sara Dant draws on historic data and the latest scientific research to trace the environmental history and development of the American West. This online program is presented on Zoom from 7 to 8:15 p.m. ET. $20-$25

Historian Stephen Engle challenges the myth of The Lost Cause on September 26

Tuesday, September 26

Countering The Myth of the Lost Cause: Truths About the Past: Historian Stephen D. Engle challenges the enduring Southern reverence for the Confederacy. The heart of his analysis focuses on how slavery gave rise to the Republican party that elected Abraham Lincoln, which incited secession and the Confederacy’s creation. Engle’s examination targets origins of the myth during Reconstruction, its cultural endurance through the 1920s and the Great Depression, its challenges to the Civil Rights era, and even its symbolism in rallying patriotism today. This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET $25-$30

Wednesday, September 27

Extreme Architecture Around the World: Janetta Rebold Benton, distinguished professor of art history at Pace University, leads a journey through some of the most creative, innovative and extreme examples of architecture constructed worldwide in recent years. The buildings are presented according to function—such as museums, theaters, office buildings and skyscrapers, and private homes­—as well as examples of environmentally friendly re-use of materials. Participants enrolled in the Smithsonian World History Certificate program will earn 1/2 credit. This online program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET $20-$25