Naper Settlement opens History Speaks Lecture Series

Naper Settlement’s History Speaks Lecture Series begins its ninth season with a lineup of historical performances and presentations from September through June at Century Memorial Chapel, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.

Advance tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students, youths and Naperville Heritage Society sustaining members. Tickets on the day of the presentation are $7 for adults and $6 for sustaining members, students and youths. Tickets for the special Underground Railroad presentation in February are $12 for adults and $10 for sustaining members.

For tickets, call (630) 420-6010 or visit www.napersettlement.museum.

Here’s a look at the programs:

Ÿ “The War of 1812: Mr. Madison’s War.” To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, veteran actor and historian Terry Lynch portrays President James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, who led the nation in a war against the British. The presentation will be 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. For all ages.

Ÿ “Hauntings of the Civil War.” Victorian Spiritualism was fueled by the more than 600,000 casualties of the Civil War. Join Rebecca Tulloch, who portrays Maggie Fox, a founder of American spiritualism, as she discusses her life as a medium and the tools and methods used to communicate with the spirits from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21.

Participate in a seance in which ghosts from the Civil War may make their presence known to the audience. This program includes the telling of Civil War ghost stories and a discussion of 19th century spiritualism. Appropriate for ages 10 to adult.

Ÿ “FDR and Lincoln Together: America in Crisis.” Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Max Daniels, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, portrayed by R.J. Lindsey, will appear together to talk about their times of challenge from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Moderator Donna Daniels guides the presentation with questions about Fort Sumter, Pearl Harbor and the appropriate role of government. For all ages.

Ÿ “The Christmas Tree Ship.” One of the most beloved stories of the Great Lakes, the Christmas Tree Ship has inspired paintings, poems, songs, television programs and a musical. Author Rochelle Pennington will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ship’s mysterious disappearance on Nov. 22, 1912, with original photographs, artifacts and current photos from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Pennington’s books will be for sale with a signing opportunity. For all ages.

Ÿ “Oh the Humanity! — The Hindenburg Disaster.” On May 6, 1937, WLS reporter Herb Morrison was sent to Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey to cover the first anniversary of transatlantic passenger service, but what he witnessed was one of the greatest disasters of the 20th century. Hear Morrison, portrayed by veteran actor and historian Terry Lynch, recount the horrific details of that day on the 75th anniversary of the disaster. The presentation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13.

Ÿ “Voices of the Past — Northern Illinois and the UGRR.” Presented by Naper Settlement museum educators from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, this program is theater in the buildings with guests participating in the experience. Along the way, they meet townspeople who offer many different perspectives about the issues of the day, among them an abolitionist, a southern sympathizer and a runaway slave. Dress for the weather as the program will take place both indoors and outdoors. Advance reservations are required. Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for Naperville Heritage Society sustaining members. Call (630) 420-6010.

Ÿ “Daisy’s Girls: Camping with Juliette Gordon Low.” Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts when Betsey Means of WomanLore portrays Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10. After meeting Boy Scouts founder Sir Robert Baden-Powell, Low discovered a social cause to which she would devote the rest of her life. She led the formation of the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912.

Ÿ “Civil War Diarist Mary Chesnut.” Daughter of a wealthy planter and wife of a top presidential aide, Mary Chesnut witnessed firsthand many key events in the South during the Civil War, recording them in a diary considered one of the most compelling personal accounts of the war. In this first-person portrayal by Leslie Goddard that will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 14, Chesnut reads from her journal, sharing stories of the events unfolding around her and her often surprising perspectives on race, political power, and social status.

Ÿ “THE ‘WASP’ — World War II Women’s Air Force Service Pilots.” More than 1,100 women served their country in World War II, flying every military aircraft flown by the American forces — from the PT-17 Stearman to the P51 Mustang and B-17 Flying Fortress. Join Rebecca Sutera Tulloch, a certified FAA pilot, as she tells the story of the WASP as only a pilot can from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 5.

Ÿ “John Philip Sousa: The Leader of the Band.” Join veteran actor and historian Terry Lynch as he portrays the “March King” John Philip Sousa from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Hear the story of how a 13-year-old boy ran away to join the circus, eventually becoming the band master of the United States Marine Corps Band, conducting the president’s Own Marine Band under five presidents, and writing 136 military marches along the way. For all ages.

If you go

What: “The War of 1812: Mr. Madison’s War,” the first installment of the History Speaks Lecture Series

When: 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9

Where: Century Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville

Cost: $7 for adults, $6 for students, youth and Naperville Heritage Society sustaining members

Info: (630) 420-6010 or www.napersettlement.museum