From 5 to 6 p.m. beginning Wednesday, June 6 at Cold Spring Brewery, we’ll be serving up some tasty brews and historical knowledge with the free lecture series Fire Ring Chats. Gather round the outside fire ring at Cold Spring Brewery with Historic Cold Spring Village’s own Deputy Director Jim Stephens!
We’re going to kick off the series with “Your Smartphone is from the 19th Century.” Smartphones did not exist until the 21st century, but the technology inside them had its origins in a variety of 19th century inventions. Learn about where those devices came from and the stories behind them.
Next up in the series on June 13: More Stories from Old Glory (the sequel). If you’ve seen HCSV’s popular program The Story of Old Glory, you’ll want to see this! This new presentation takes the story from the late 19th century to today. Hear about the origins of the Betsy Ross myth, the men behind the creation of Flag Day and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the stories behind the raising of our nation’s flag on Iwo Jima during World War II, and NASA’s decision to have Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin plant our flag on the moon.
Then on June 20: Fight Her ‘Til She Sinks!: James Lawrence, a New Jersey Hero of the War of 1812. Many people have heard the famous battle cry, “Don’t give up the ship,” but don’t know the story behind the man who uttered those words. Discover James Lawrence, born in Burlington, N.J., who would carve out a legendary place in American naval history.
Last up in the series on June 27: Airminded: The Story of Aeromarine, America’s First International Airline. Flying internationally is taken for granted in the 21st century, but 100 years ago, it was the cutting edge of aviation in the newly created airline industry. Find out about Aeromarine, a New Jersey-based company that earned the honor of being the first international airline in the United States, as well as the visionary man who created it.
For more information, call (609) 898-2300 or visit www.hcsv.org.