Smithsonian Associates

We invite you to join us

In Person

for selected in-person programs, concert series, studio arts classes and workshops, as well as walking tours, full-day study tours, and overnight tours that visit a range of local and regional destinations.

Performances and Concerts

Smithsonian Chorus: Legends of Song

Aperitivo: Italy’s Magical Pre-dinner Hour

Wed., Mar. 22

Learn the traditions behind this informal early-evening gathering. Then, sample tastings of aperitivo cocktails and easy-to-prepare classic Italian appetizers.

(see p. 15)

Pati Jinich: La Frontera

Wed., Apr. 19

Mexican chef Pati Jinich screens an episode from the new season of her PBS docuseries “La Frontera” and offers insights into how she uses food to explore the culture and people along the border of the United States and Mexico.

(see p. 15)

Thurs., Apr. 13 (see p. 22)

Performance: Thurs., June 8

The Smithsonian Chamber Music Society: 2023 Season

The Axelrod String Quartet

Sat., Apr. 1 and Sun., Apr. 2 (see p. 20)

A Celebration of Marin Marais

Sun., Mar. 19 (see p. 20)

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

Jazzed About Art

Sat., Apr. 1 (see p. 21)

Plato’s Republic

Wed., Apr. 5

An illuminating book discussion series examines why some of the central themes in this timeless dialogue are as relevant today as they were in 4th-century Athens.

(see p. 8)

Studio Arts

Let your creative side shine in a wide variety of handson classes including photography, drawing, painting, calligraphy, fiber arts, and mixed-media, geared to all experience levels and led by professional artists.

(see pp. 46–48)

To Have and Have Another

Thurs., May 4

Writer Philip Greene, a co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail, examines the life of Hemingway through his favorite drinks.

(see p. 17)

The Duke Ellington Orchestra

Sat., June 10 (see p. 21)

Tours

Our expert-led tours offer one-of-a-kind travel experiences. They’re perfect ways to learn more about topics that intrigue you— and satisfy your yen for exploring fascinating places.

(see pp. 59–64)

Read more about these in-person programs in this guide on our website. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more are at

SmithsonianAssociates.org

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

Live from Turkey

Exploring Ancient Anatolia: A Turkish Odyssey

Anatolia’s colorful history has left a windfall of riches—ancient ruins, ornate Byzantine churches, elegant mosques, and splendid Ottoman palaces. Serif Yenen, a Turkish-born tour guide and author, highlights the heritage and splendor of ancient Turkey through an examination of some of its cultural gems, from Neolithic settlements and giant Roman temples to Christian rock-cut churches and the early Ottoman Empire’s stunning Great Mosque.

MAR 1 Neolithic and Bronze Ages

MAR 8 Iron-Age, Hellenistic, and Roman Periods

MAR 15 Christianity in Anatolia

MAR 22 The Turkish Period’s Capitals

4 sessions: Wed., March 1–22, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-239; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

New Dates: Wed., Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

As of January 2023, there are 1,157 UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout the world. Each of them offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of complex civilizations, empires, and religions. Historian Justin M. Jacobs offers an in-depth overview of three of the most intriguing UNESCO World Heritage sites from around the world, from Iraq to Brazil.

Each lavishly illustrated program goes far beyond the typical tourist experience by incorporating the insights of the latest scholarship and research.

MAR 1 Philippine Rice Terraces of Ifugao

MAR 8 Sacred Sites of Tibet

MAR 15 Brasilia, the Utopian Capital of Brazil

Wed., March 1 (CODE 1J0-242C); Wed., March 8 (CODE 1J0-242D); Wed., March 15 (CODE 1J0-242E); 6:45 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Spring in the South of France

A Virtual Tour of the Region’s History, Culture, and Sights

Everyone from ancient Romans to Post-Impressionist artists to movie stars has been lured to the enchanting South of France. Its abundance of lavender-laced valleys, glittering seashores, medieval hill towns, and lively cities, all bathed in translucent light, are downright seductive. Journey with travel writer Barbara Noe Kennedy in a virtual exploration of Provence and the Côte d’Azur, including the region’s most intriguing sights, historical aspects, food and wine, and art. Among the locales are the formerly gritty city of Marseille, the Gothic palaces of Avignon, the sunny beaches of the French Riviera, and the gorges known as Europe’s Grand Canyon.

MAR 2 Marseille and Aix-en-Provence

MAR 30 Avignon and la vraie Provence

MAY 4 Côte d’Azur

JUN 1 Off the Beaten Path

4 sessions: Thurs., March 2, March 30, May 4, and June 1, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-SFR; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Individual sessions: Thurs., March 2 (CODE 1CV-A10); Thurs., March 30 (CODE 1CV-B10); Thurs., May 4 (CODE 1CV-C10); Thurs., June 1 (CODE 1CV-D10); 7 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

American Women and the Fight for Equality

Perspectives on a Century

The 19th Amendment enfranchising 26 million white and Black women became law on August 26, 1920. However, it did not enfranchise all women or even protect the rights of those women who could vote. Today, women are still grappling with how to use the vote and their political power to expand everything from civil rights to reproductive rights.

Drawing on her new book, Formidable: American Women and the Fight for Equality: 1920 –2020, author Elisabeth Griffith discusses how the diversity of the women’s movement mirrors America.

Thurs., March 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-244; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Cuban History: Cycles of Hope and Heartache

More than 20 years ago, scholar Damián Fernández posited that Cuban history moves in cycles of “desire and disenchantment.” From the Cuban wars for independence through the Cuban Revolution and beyond, Cubans have often felt on the verge of fulfilling their nation’s destiny, only to find their hopes were misplaced or betrayed.

Historian Michael J. Bustamante charts these ups and downs from 19th-century Cuba to the present. He also reflects on the dramatic pivot from the hope inspired by the normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations between 2014 and 2016 to the disillusionment that followed.

Thurs., March 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-761; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Slavery and Freedom in the Shenandoah Valley

During the Civil War, Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley was the site of fierce conflicts, both on and off the battlefield. Historian Jonathan Noyalas examines how the region’s slaves faced their many challenges and how they supported the Union war effort by serving as scouts, spies, and laborers and by fleeing slavery to enlist in the United States Colored Troops.

Noyalas is the director of the McCormick Civil War Institute at Shenandoah University. His book Slavery and Freedom in the Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era (University Press of Florida) is available for purchase.

Tues., March 14, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-012; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Support what we do at Smithsonian Associates

Please help us continue to carry out our educational mission by making a charitable contribution today. Your help is essential because, unlike the museums, Smithsonian Associates is not federally funded and relies entirely on donations and membership support to bridge the gap between program expenses and ticket revenue. SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

New

Lost Opportunities

The Troubled History of African American and Irish Relations

The individual histories of African Americans and Irish Americans have each been fraught with discrimination and hardship. Despite both groups having faced oppression and societal scorn as second-class citizens, they often found themselves at odds during the 19th century, with the competition for housing and jobs creating racial tensions.

Historian Christopher Brooks discusses the parallel histories of African Americans and Irish Americans, the unlikely kinship of abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Daniel O’Connell, and how natural allies became historical rivals.

Wed., March 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-011; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Edith Wilson

The First (Unelected) Female President

While this nation has yet to elect its first woman as president, just over a century ago a woman became the first unofficial acting president. In 1919, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson effectively acted as president when her husband, Woodrow Wilson, was incapacitated. Beautiful, brilliant, charismatic, catty, and calculating, she was a complicated figure who reshaped the position of first lady into one of political prominence.

Rebecca Boggs Roberts, a leading historian who focuses on women’s suffrage and power, takes an unflinching look at the woman whose ascent mirrors that of many powerful American women.

Tues., March 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-343; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

How the Internet Changed the Media

Media expert Brian Rose examines the many ways the Internet has radically transformed the “old” media of newspapers, magazines, the recording industry, film, radio, and television. He traces how this digital revolution took place in such a short period of time and what lies ahead in the era of “new” media.

Rose explores questions such as whether there will be printed newspapers 10 years from now; if newsstands and bookstores will disappear as fast as record stores; if movie theaters will exist in their present form; and whether prime-time television will vanish.

Thurs., March 16, 12-1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-247; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Heart of John Brown

On the night of October 16, 1859, John Brown and his followers attacked the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia—part of a plan to stir an enormous revolt that could destroy American slavery. But Brown and his accomplices were soon caught and Brown was hanged having failed to free a single enslaved person.

Why do Brown’s failed actions still matter? Historian Richard Bell argues that Brown’s execution made him a martyr among Northerners and paved the way for Lincoln’s unprecedented election, the secession crisis, and the coming of the Civil War.

Thurs., March 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-249; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Tudor London

A Dynasty’s Imprint on History

There are few periods of British history that command greater curiosity and interest than the years associated with the Tudor dynasty (1485–1603). Although this significant ruling family spanned only three generations, it produced some of the most memorable monarchs of any age or place.

Historian Cheryl White examines four historical themes that were significant to the promoting of the indelible Tudor imprint upon history, inviting participants to engage with the intriguing but often dangerous court life of Henry VIII, witness the dramatic religious and social challenges wrought during the reigns of Edward VI and Mary I, and experience the progressive but cautious Renaissance court of Elizabeth I, whose patronage of the arts gave her name to an entire age of world history.

9:30 a.m. Introduction: London Landscapes and Landmarks

11 a.m. Royal Fortresses, Castles, and Palaces

12:15 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. The Dark Side of Tudor London: Prisons, Tortures, Execution Sites

2:45 p.m. The Tudor Religious Landscape of London

Sat., March 18, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-248; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Stories from a Single Image True Tales from the Life of Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, sitting in her Baker electric car, pours from a thermos. Three men look up at her expectantly: Secretary of State Philander Knox, an unidentified man, and Secretary of Commerce Charles Nagel. They’re all at Fort Myer, Virginia, for the Wright brothers’ Military Flyer trials in July 1909. The historic flights were a social calendar highlight of the year for the cream of Washington society.

In a richly illustrated presentation, master storyteller Paul Glenshaw speaks with historian Callan Shea as he peels back the fascinating layers in this deceptively simple image.

Thurs., March 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-344; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Magna Carta: A Blueprint for Democracy

The Magna Carta originated in 1215 as what was essentially a failed peace treaty between King John of England and his barons. Centuries later it transformed into a document held by the Founding Fathers as a foundational cornerstone of citizens’ rights in this country.

Thomas J. McSweeney, a law professor at William & Mary Law School, explores the document’s evolution beginning in the 13th century through its role in 17th- and 18th-century revolutions. He surveys some of the major historic debates about the Magna Carta and whether it is a good model for the guarantee of rights in a republic.

Wed., March 22, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-760; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Sears Houses of Arlington

From 1908 to 1940, Sears, Roebuck & Co. sold more than 70,000 of its prefabricated Modern Homes kits, affordable dwellings assembled on site that offered all Americans the chance to own an up-to-date house. Arlington County, Virginia, which saw a boom in its growth during the 1920s, boasts a significant collection of these kit houses.

Historian Dakota Springston discusses the history of these, the rapidly growing communities in which they were built, and the agrarian communities they replaced. Sears homes highlighted range from the single-story “Sunlight” to the magnificent 10-room “Woodland” model. Afterward, Kathryn Holt Springston, a Sears Homes expert, takes part in a live Q&A session.

Mon., March 27, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-028; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

An Enemy of the People? Niccolò Machiavelli in Context

Florentine statesman Niccolò Machiavelli’s 1513 treatise, The Prince, was not long, but its perceived message has lost little potency 500 years later. After all, it advised leaders that the iron fist is far more effective in governing than the velvet glove—that is, fear trumps human kindness.

Author Ross King places Machiavelli in the context of his times and examines his more positive legacy and influence. Although an English cardinal had described him as an enemy of the human race, Machiavelli’s lessons on leadership, liberty, virtue, and good government are worth re-examining today.

Wed., March 29, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-758; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

Book Discussion

Shedding Light on Plato’s Republic

For many people, tackling The Republic feels daunting. That’s why Georgetown professor Joseph Hartman is offering this illuminating four-session discussion-based course. Hartman examines some of the central themes, questions as relevant today as they were in 4th-century Athens: What is justice? Is there an external source of goodness? What makes a political community strong, and what causes it to decline?

APR 5 Setting the Stage: Introduction and Book I

APR 12 Building and Educating the Political Community (Books II–V)

APR 19 Plato’s Cave: The Turn Toward the Good (Books VI and VII)

APR 26 The Decline of the Regime and the End of Things (Books VIII–X)

4 sessions: Wed., April 5–26, 12–1:30 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1J0-263; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Genius, Tragedy, Ethics, and the First Atomic Bomb

J. Robert Oppenheimer never really thought about the ethics of the atomic bomb until the successful test of a plutonium device at Alamogordo, New Mexico, on July 16, 1945. Then, he experienced an inrush of ethical anguish and spent the rest of his life trying to come to terms with what he, what America, and what humankind had done.

Hardened geopoliticians of the Cold War tried to destroy Oppenheimer, principally because he expressed his misgivings about the United States’ creation of the hydrogen fusion device. Historian Clay Jenkinson examines Oppenheimer’s ethical quandary about nuclear warfare—and the price he paid for it.

Tues., April 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-350; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

What Were They Thinking?

The Philosophies of Maimonides and Aquinas

Maimonides and St. Thomas Aquinas, the pre-eminent Jewish and Christian thinkers of the medieval period, shared a passion for applying the rationalist methods of Aristotle to questions of belief. Maimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed sought to guide the Jewish community in understanding God as they contended with the more populous and politically powerful Christian and Muslim majorities. Aquinas’ Summa Theologica addresses every conceivable issue that defined Christian thinking up to his time. Ori Z. Soltes, author and Georgetown University lecturer, considers how these gigantic thinkers differ, where they share common ground—and their relevance to our own world of thought and action.

Wed., April 12, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-764; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Supreme Court’s Role in Our Constitutional Democracy

Recent years have seen increasing controversy concerning the Supreme Court— contentious appointments, divisive opinions, and even leaks from inside. Some critics blame the philosophy of originalism, others claim individual justices are advancing political agendas or they fault the judicial body’s structural features and the nominating and confirmation processes.

Kermit Roosevelt, a constitutional law professor, former Supreme Court clerk, and member of President Biden’s Supreme Court Reform Commission, assesses the court and its place in our system of constitutional democracy. What role should the Supreme Court play? What forces are driving the recent controversies? And what, if anything, can we do to make things better?

Mon., April 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-765; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Changing Face of Television

YouTube, Bingeing, Streaming, and Beyond

Watching television used to be a fairly simple enterprise: You turned on the set and selected one of 500 cable channels. Now, more and more viewers are watching online-only channels like Netflix or Disney+. Many younger viewers prefer devices such as their laptops or their phones. And tens of thousands of kids and teenagers have started their own TV networks on YouTube, bypassing regular programming altogether. Drawing on video clips to illustrate his talk, media expert Brian Rose explains why the old days of simply “watching TV” are fast disappearing.

Thurs., April 13, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-250; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Traditional Roots of Modern China

How an Ancient Worldview Drives Today’s Foreign Policy

China scholar Robert Daly traces China’s 21st-century drive for wealth, power, and status to geographic influences, beliefs, and social and cultural practices rooted in its earliest dynasties. The country’s location, Taoism, social stability, and cultural cohesion all played a role.

10 a.m. Pangu’s Bones: How Geography Shaped Chinese Culture

11:30 a.m. The Struggle for Harmony: Qi and Chinese Attitudes Toward Nature

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Culture, Technology, Wealth, and Power

2:45 p.m. Three Ways To Look at China

Sat., April 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-254; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Rasputin: The Man Who Would Not Die

More than 100 years after his death, few figures in Russian history evoke as much fascination as Grigori Rasputin, often portrayed as the “Mad Monk” who became the political power behind Czar Nicholas II and his family.

The fact that he was neither mad, nor a monk, hasn’t stopped writers from repeating these and other bogus claims. Historians also debate the extent of Rasputin’s influence on the royal family. And many questions still swirl around his murder one December night at the Yusupov Palace.

Historian Ralph Nurnberger explores the mysteries surrounding the life and death of one of Russian history’s most intriguing characters.

Tues., April 18, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-011; Members $20; Nonmembers $25 Grigori

The French Wars of Religion, 1559–1598 Reform and Conflict

In the second half of the 16th century, France teetered on the edge of an abyss. For three decades the kingdom was near anarchy, torn apart by the vicious cycles of violence between Catholics and Protestants.

Historian Alexander Mikaberidze discusses the complex origins of the Wars of Religion in France and provides concise analysis of the wars, their social and economic toll, and the lasting impact of political ideas that they generated. He also examines the effect they had on the French state, economy, culture, and society.

Thurs., April 20, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-256; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

From Coronation to Committal

The Traditions and Ceremonies that Shape the British Monarchy

In September 2022, the world watched the pageantry of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral. For the first time, the coverage included the committal ceremony, during which the emblems of royalty were taken from her coffin and placed on the altar. This ritual symbolizes the ongoing nature of the monarchy, with the crown passing from one individual to the next.

From coronation to committal, ceremonies shape the monarchy. Tudor scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger explores the history and significance of these royal traditions and discusses why the ceremonies are important today.

Sat., April 22, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-257; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Spanish Influence in the American Revolution Guns, Ships, and Cows

The American Revolution was seen by King Carlos III and his ministers as an unprecedented opportunity to regain territory Spain had ceded to the British during the French and Indian War, argues University of Maryland historian Richard Bell

For that reason, Spanish merchants in Bilbao and the Caribbean began secretly supplying the patriots with flintlocks, shot, blankets, and cows in 1774, well before their government’s declaration of war five years later. Bell draws connections between the American Revolution and the waves of independence movements that rippled across Spain’s Latin American colonies in the decades afterward.

Mon., April 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-258; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Moviegoing in America

From Nickelodeons to Movie Palaces to IMAX to Streaming

Ever since the movie industry was born in the 1890s, audiences have been thrilled to watch stories come to life on the big screen. Actually, nickelodeon screens weren’t very big. But by the 1920s, extravagant movie palaces were a common venue. Then came suburban drive-ins, followed by shopping-mall multiplexes. Today, the movies offer mind-boggling experiences at 7-story IMAX theaters.

Media expert Brian Rose looks at the fascinating history of movie theaters, examines how the experience of moviegoing has changed over the decades, and considers whether movie theaters will survive in the age of streaming services.

Wed., May 3, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-260; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Alcatraz: 250 Years on the Rock

Alcatraz is America’s most notorious island, and its most misunderstood.

Beginning with its first sighting by Europeans in 1769 through its present standing as the top paid tourist attraction in San Francisco, its history is multi-layered. Former National Park ranger and historian John Martini uncovers both the island’s infamous past as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963 and its lesser-known roles as a Civil War fortress, political prison for Confederate sympathizers, and military prison for recalcitrant U.S. Army soldiers and Native American warriors. He also covers its evolution as a National Park site, the now-resurgent natural life, and the challenges of preserving its aging infrastructure.

Wed., April 26, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-013; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

A Bitter Defeat

The 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville

Military historians consider the May 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville to be Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s tactical masterpiece and a notable defeat for the Union. However, the consequent Confederate overconfidence played a significant role in the decision to invade the North at Gettysburg, with results that would turn the tide of war.

Historian Christopher Hamner examines the lead-up to Chancellorsville, Lee’s tactics, and the strategic implications of the Confederate victory.

Wed., May 3, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-013; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Related tour: The Civil War at Chancellorsville (see p. 63)

The Cuban Missile Crisis Re-examining a Moment of Extreme Danger

The Cuban Missile Crisis is an event most Americans think they could probably recount in broad contours: In 1962, the Soviet Union tried to sneak nuclear missiles into Cuba, but the United States discovered them and forced the Soviets to back down. But is that what really happened, or is that just the myth Americans have told themselves in the years since? Allen Pietrobon, a global affairs professor at Trinity Washington University, reflects on how such a moment of extreme danger came to happen and whether the United States truly won the face-off.

Mon., May 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-261; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Physiologus A Book of Nature and Fantasy

Unicorns, centaurs, and other animals—both mythological and real—make an appearance in the Physiologus (The Naturalist), a compilation written in Greek by an anonymous author, probably in Alexandria in the 3rd century A.D. Its text comprises chapters on assorted animals and magic stones, with information drawn from the works of ancient and Christian authors, the Bible, and fables. Ilya Dines, a medieval manuscripts specialist at the Library of Congress, delves into the text, illuminations, and legacy of the Physiologus.

Mon., May 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-265; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Global Geopolitical Organization

The View from Ground Level

According to the standard model of global politics, the world is cleanly divided into a set number of fundamental units called nation-states. In the conventional narrative, the nation-state model originated in Europe in the late 18th and early-19th centuries and subsequently spread across the world, becoming fully globalized during the post-World War II decolonization era.

But global political organization is far more complicated and chaotic, reminds historian Martin Lewis, and expecting all countries to act like nation-states can result in severe miscalculations. Imposing regime-change, for example, on a country with an inadequate national foundation can result in rapid state collapse rather than democratic reconstruction. Lewis explores how the world is geopolitically constituted at the ground level, rather than as it is ideally imagined by diplomats, scholars, and foreign-policy experts.

Tues., May 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-767; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

Please visit

A Journey Through Ancient China

China has more than 3,000 years of recorded history, but misconceptions abound at every stage. This series takes you on a thematic tour of four important topics in ancient Chinese history: religion, ethnicity, law, and eunuchs. Justin M. Jacobs, a professor of Chinese history at American University, gives you a nuanced overview based on the latest scholarship and illustrated with copious slides.

MAY 24 Religion in Chinese History

MAY 31 Ethnic Identity in Chinese History

JUN 7 Law and Punishment in Chinese History

JUN 14 Eunuchs in Chinese History

4 sessions: Wed., May 24, May 31, June 7, and June 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-270; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Individual sessions: Wed., May 24 (CODE 1J0-270A); Wed., May 31 (CODE 1J0-270B); Wed., June 7 (CODE 1J0-270C); Wed., June 14 (CODE 1J0-270D); Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Colonial India’s Complex History

While the historical relationship of India and Great Britain is well-known, events in other countries also affected how India developed into the country it is today. Author Fazle Chowdhury unravels the complicated history of India from its existence as a British colony to an independent Asian nation.

Chowdhury traces the impact of such seemingly unrelated factors as power struggles in 19th-century Afghanistan, Persian Qajar invasions, diplomatic conflicts between Britain and Czarist Russia, and revolutionary movements in both Russia and Persia.

Fri., June 2, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-266; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Quakers and the Birth of the Antislavery Movement

As members of the Religious Society of Friends, Quakers in colonial America manifested their radical sense of equality in what they wore and how they acted. It’s not surprising, then, that 18th-century Quakers were the first group of white Christians in America to confront slaveholding as a religious problem that demanded social action.

But for much of the colonial period, many Quakers were slaveholders themselves— including members of William Penn’s family. It took tremendous energy and effort on the part of a small number of activists to disrupt that status quo in the decades before the Revolution and steer their church towards an outspoken commitment to Black freedom.

Historian Richard Bell recounts this untold story, focusing on the dramatic antislavery crusades and wildly different tactics of three 18th-century Quakers: Benjamin Lay, a hermit; John Woolman, a shopkeeper; and Anthony Benezet, a schoolteacher.

Tues., June 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-264; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Lady Jane Grey First Tudor Queen or Royal Traitor?

When young King Edward VI died in 1553, England believed the next monarch would be his half-sister Mary Tudor, the daughter of Henry VIII named in the Succession Act and Henry’s will as Edward’s heir. But Edward was determined not to leave the crown to a Catholic. With the help of John Dudley, president of the regency council, Edward created a “Devise for the Succession” to rewrite history and choose his successor.

Four days after Edward’s death, Lady Jane Grey Dudley—John Dudley’s teenage daughter-in-law—was proclaimed queen. For several days, both Jane and Mary considered themselves the ruler of England. But once she was installed on the throne, Queen Jane’s reign lasted less than two weeks.

Tudor scholar and historian Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger considers Jane’s life and character and the powerful men around her, tracing the path from noblewoman to young wife to queen. She also examines Mary Tudor’s complicated relationship with Jane—and why it was necessary for one of them to lose her life.

Wed., June 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-265; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Perils of Polarization A History of a Nation Divided

It’s increasingly clear that the United States is fragmented: Civility is in short supply, and common values are eroding. However, that’s nothing that hasn’t happened before. Journalist, historian, and author Ken Walsh illustrates how the United States has had recurring problems with creating unity and maintaining respectful discourse. Walsh examines how the United States reached this point, places the current situation in historical context, and discusses whether there is much chance for comity, consensus, and cooperation in the future.

Thurs., May 25, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-014; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Give a Gift of

Membership Smithsonian Associates

For so many of us scattered across the country, it’s challenging to find ways to connect with friends and family. But no matter where you live, here’s how to share a wonderful experience with people you care about. Give a Smithsonian Associates membership, and who knows…you may end up attending an online Zoom program or two with your best friend next door— or your far-off cousin!

For more information visit smithsonianassociates.org/gift-membership

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

Voices

Highlighting people who share their unique perspective on the world today

Pati Jinich: La Frontera

In her PBS PrimeTime docuseries

“La Frontera,” Mexican chef Pati Jinich uses food as the vehicle to explore the culture and people along the border of the United States and Mexico, sharing meals with locals from all walks of life and reflecting on the melding of cultures.

Returning for a second season this spring, “La Frontera: The Everchanging Borderlands” features Jinich’s explorations on the western half of the Mexico–U.S. border, covering California and Baja California, Arizona and Sonora, and New Mexico and Chihuahua. Join her for a screening of an episode from the new season, followed by a conversation focusing on the creation of the series and what she discovered traveling in both countries.

Wed., April 19, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1L0-508; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Aperitivo: Italy’s Magical Pre-dinner Hour With Tasting

Kick off the evening as the Italians do, with the aperitivo—an informal gathering of friends for a pre-dinner cocktail, socializing, and hors d’oeuvres.

Food historian Francine Segan dishes on the tradition’s delicious history; iconic cocktails like the Negroni, Bellini, Aperol Spritz, and Americano; its many regional appetizer specialties; and how the aperitivo continues to play an important role in Italy’s social life.

A reception afterward offers tastings of regional specialties and recipes for aperitivo cocktails and easy-to-prepare classic Italian appetizers.

Wed., March 22, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1D0-008; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

A Top Sommelier's Guide to Wine Winter Wine Adventures

Island Time: Exploring Wines from the World’s Best Island Regions

Expand your knowledge of wine with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a delectable wine-tasting adventure. No wine is an island, but many world-class wines are from islands. Discover the various island winemaking regions and how a proximity to oceans and seas leads to consistent flavor elements in the finished products. Segelbaum explores the similarities and differences between cold-water and warm-water island appellations and shares tips on how to identify and taste the specific flavor markers of island-produced wines.

Fri., March 17, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-499; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Cost includes a curated personal tasting kit with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Wine-tasting kit pick-up information on page 16