Tuesday June 17: The Petersburg Campaign at Noon & People's University American History III at 7 PM

June 17 The Petersburg Campaign 

Edward S. Alexander, Park Ranger at Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier and a member of the Emerging Civil War Speakers Bureau, will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday, June 17 at noon to discuss the early stages (June-August, 1864) of the Petersburg campaign. His focus will be primarily on the first assaults against the city, the Crater, Reams Station, and Deep Bottom. He will also explain why he believes it is a mischaracterization to refer to Petersburg as a “siege.” Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are served. Please visit ohiocountylibrary.org, call 304-232-0244, or visit facebook.com/lunchwithbooks for more information.

& at 7 PM

People’s University to Explore the Gilded AgeThrough the Jazz Age

The new People's University series 9, American History III: The Gilded Age to the Jazz Age, will begin at the Ohio County Public Library on June 17 and continue to meet for eight consecutive Tuesday evenings at 7 pm, ending August 5. Each class will be approximately 60-90 minutes in length.

The full schedule for People's University American History III is as follows:

Class 1,June 17:  The Gilded Age (1878-1889) pt. 1

The growth of industry, increased production of steel, increased demand for oil, and railroad development, led to rapid wealth accumulation for certain businessmen, who became known as “Robber Barons.” Instructor: David Javersak (retired professor of history, West Liberty University).

Class 2, June 24: 

The Gilded Age (1878-1889) pt. 2. Instructor: David Javersak

Class 3, July 1: Progressive Era (1890-1913) pt. 1

The excess of the Gilded Age was followed by a period of social activism and political reform exemplified by efforts like trust-busting and woman suffrage. Instructor: David Javersak

Class 4, July 8: 

Progressive Era (1890-1913) pt. 2. Instructor: David Javersak

Class 5, July 15: The Great War (1914-1918) pt. 1

World War I began in Europe in 1914. The U.S. entered the war in 1917 and the Allied Powers were victorious over the Central Powers by 1918. Instructor: Hal Gorby (history PhD candidate at West Virginia University)

Class 6, July 22: The Great War (1914-1918) pt. 2. Instructor: Joe Laker (retired professor of history, Wheeling Jesuit University)

Class 7, July 29: The Jazz Age (1919-1928) pt. 1

In a nation weary of war, women exercised their newly found freedom (having won the right to vote in 1920) and Harlem nightclubs thrived, featuring jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Instructor: Joe Laker

Class 8, August 5: 

The Jazz Age (1919-1928) pt. 2. Instructor: Hal Gorby

In keeping with the mission of public libraries as sanctuaries of free learning for all people, the Ohio County Public Library created The People’s University, a free program for adults who wish to continue their education in the liberal arts. The People’s University features courses (taught by experts in each subject) that enable patrons to pursue their goal of lifelong learning in classic subjects such as history, music appreciation, philosophy, and literature. Patrons may attend as many classes as they wish. There are no tests of other requirements and all programs are free and open to the public. To register for American History III, please email the library by visiting the library's web site at www.ohiocountylibray.org and clicking to the "Contact/Email us" page, call 304-232-0244, or visit the Reference Desk.