- "A Visit with Benjamin Franklin"
Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 7 - 8:30 PM
Grand Opening Reception and Program. Meet, greet and listen to Benjamin Franklin, aka Dean Bennett of the American Historical Theatre, Philadelphia. Bennett has been Franklin at the White House, A&E and the Discovery Channel. Don't forget your camera for pictures with Ben! Refreshments will be served.
- "Franklin: In Fact and Fiction"
Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 7 - 8 PM
Perennial favorite scholar/speaker, Chris Godwin, Professor Emeritus, SUNY Orange, will bring Franklin to life in his own words and those of others, including authors both scholarly and popular.
- "1776" the Musical
Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 7 - 9:20 PM
If you have a sense of history and humor and if you are looking for a film to watch this time of year "1776" is the one.
- "Franklin and Independence"
Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 7 - 8 PM
Now that you've seen the movie, get the "real" story behind Franklin's role in our battle for independence from Great Britain. Dr. Robert McDonald, Professor of American history, USMA, West Point, will draw you into his fascinating lecture.
- "Franklin the Musician"
Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 7 - 8:30 PM
Costumed professional musician and Franklin scholar Cecilia Brauer will present a concert and talk on the glass armonica. Franklin invented and composed music for this unusual and unique instrument.
Catch a preview of the Glass Armonica and see how it is played by Ms. Brauer anytime from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in front of the Benjamin Franklin exhibit on the first floor of the library. But don't miss her formal costumed concert and talk "Franklin the Musician" from 7:00-8:30 pm in our second floor Community Room!
- "The Courage to Dream: The Amazing life of Ben Franklin"
Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 4 - 5 PM
Two multi-talented actor/singer/dancers from Encore Performing Arts, Inc. bring the charm, wit, and wisdom of Franklin to life in this entertaining and inspirational play. For families, children, and people of all ages.
- "Ben to Now"
The Interactive Museum in Middletown will present exhibits and learning stations for children to compliment the library's Franklin exhibit and programs. Highlights include Franklin's "kite & key" experiment, printing, then and now; Franklin's glasses from spectacles to bifocals to lasik, and copies of the Silence Dogood Letters as featured in the film National Treasure. Children will have an opportunity to "crack the code" and discover the secret message created by museum staff. Contact the Interactive Museum at (845) 344-3131 and on the Internet at www.theinteractivemuseum.com for dates and times of these events.
For more information, please contact the program coordinator at thrall16@warwick.net or (845)341-5479.
Financial support from Friends of Middletown Thrall Library, Inc. has made many of these programs possible.
