The Michael J. Colligan History Project honors history’s inventors

September 1, 2005

This year’s lecture series of the Michael J. Colligan History Project honors the inventors of our past.

The fall line-up begins Wednesday, September 28, with a live event by noted performer Susan Frontczak. Enjoy, “A Visit with Madame Curie.” Frontczak offers a remarkable recreation of the life and times of one of history’s greatest and most influential scientists.

Then, join Stephen Knott for “Alexander Hamilton: Prophet without Honor,” Wednesday, October 26. One of the nation’s leading authorities on Alexander Hamilton, Knott examines how this founding father helped to shape the American dream.

On Tuesday, November 1, Hamiltonian and crowd favorite Jim Blount revisits “Hamilton’s Inventors and Inventions.” The areas leading and most prolific historian, Blount discusses the city of Hamilton’s inventions and innovations that transformed American society.

All lectures are free and open to the public and begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center. A reception follows each lecture. For more information, contact 785-3277.

According to Michael Carrafiello, director of The History Project, “this fall’s Colligan schedule is our most ambitious and eclectic yet. Besides welcoming a nationally recognized scholar, Stephen Knott, on our city’s namesake, Alexander Hamilton, and bringing back Hamilton’s own Jim Blount, we will both feature a one-of-a-kind live portrayal of Nobel laureate Marie Curie and confer the fourth Dolibois prize on the Librarian of Congress, Dr. James Billington.”

The 4th Annual John E. Dolibois History Prize and Lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 17, in Parrish Auditorium. Librarian of Congress and celebrated scholar James Billington reflects on the true meaning of the sudden and radical changes in America’s relations with the world.