Martin County - Sunday August 21, 2022: After a two-and-a-half year hiatus, the IRSC "Living History" series is back on track.
"Living History - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories", was developed by retired IRSC Professor Robert Farley who has now passed the baton on to a former student, and now a professor, David Yankwitt.
The "Living History" series serves to introduce the IRSC faculty, and their favorite subjects, to the community. Each event aims to enlighten and inspire IRSC students and library patrons as IRSC professors tell extraordinary stories from the past.
Each "Living History" event is open to the Public and free of charge for IRSC students and community guests.
Here is the schedule for Fall 2022:
Fall 2022
1. September 21, Wednesday 6:00-7:30: “A Soldier’s Experience in Afghanistan”
David Yankwitt, IRSC Professor of American Government, recounts his time in the Korengal Valley, also referred to as the “Valley of Death” and the deadliest place in the world at that time.
IRSC Stuart Campus, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road. Auditorium (C-101)
2. September 24, Saturday at 11:00-12:30: “The Personality of Mark Twain”
Robert Farley, IRSC Professor of History, presents America’s first stand-up comic and legendary author IN COSTUME which was a life of multiple triumphs and as many failures + tragedies.
Cummings Library, 2551 Matheson Road (+ Martin Downs Blvd), Palm City
3. September 29, Thursday at 6:00-7:30: “The Rise of Putin”
Alex Shelby, IRSC Professor of History + author, analyzes what upbringing created the current Russian leader and how it affects our present + future.
Cummings Library, 2551 Matheson Road (+ Martin Downs Blvd), Palm City
4. October 4, Tuesday at 6:00-7:30: “History of the St. Lucie River”
Nathaniel Osborn, The Pine School History Department chairman + author, looks at the past century of evolution of our inland waterways and how development has hurt our pristine environment for future generations.
IRSC Stuart Campus, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road. Auditorium (C-101)
5. October 7, Friday at 10:00 am: “The Department of Homeland Security”
Carlos Martinez, Special Agent of Investigations, will discuss the agency’s mission objectives both nationally and locally.
IRSC Stuart Campus, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road. (Classroom C-226)
6. October 8, Saturday at 11:00 am: “Pirates of the Treasure Coast”
Patrick Mesmer, local historian and author, presents how our area was a magnet to the biggest scoundrels of the early colonial period.
Cummings Library, 2551 Matheson Road (+ Martin Downs Blvd), Palm City
7. October 8, Saturday at 12:30 pm: “Female Pirates of the Caribbean + the 7 Seas”
Joanne Wetzl, educator and author, enchants us with early colonial piracy of the feminine variety, a surprising twist to “equal rights”.
Cummings Library, 2551 Matheson Road (+ Martin Downs Blvd), Palm City
8. October 14, Friday 10:00-11:35: “Daniel Ellsberg: Traitor or Hero”
Documentary Film on the Department of Defense researcher and whistle blower during the Vietnam War, and his trials and tribulations to get exonerated.
IRSC Stuart Campus, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road. (ClassroomC-226)
9. October 20, Thursday 6:00-7:30 pm: “The Ghosts of Port Salerno”
Patricia Mesmer, local author and paranormal investigator, illuminates us all on the strange events close to home.
Cummings Library, 2551 Matheson Road (+ Martin Downs Blvd), Palm City
10. November 4, Friday 10:00-11:00: “Atocha: Quest for Treasure”
Documentary film on Mel Fisher’s search for one Spanish galleon, lost in 1622 off Key West, worth billions of dollars today. Narrated by Martin Sheen.
IRSC Stuart Campus, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road. (Classroom C-226)
11. November 4, Friday 11:15-12:30: “The 1715 Spanish Fleet”
Steve Carr, Treasure Coast salvor and history aficionado, portrays his passion and artifacts from this famous wreck off Sebastian + Fort Pierce. Chessy Ricca, Elliott Museum curator who has a Masters degree in Spanish Colonial Explorers, will also lend her expertise.
IRSC Stuart Campus, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road. (Classroom C-226)
12. November 18, Friday 10:00-11:30 am: “Toxic Puzzle”
Documentary film on the blue-green algae outbreaks in the St. Lucie River and how it affects our health. Narrated by Harrison Ford.
IRSC Stuart Campus, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road. (Classroom C-226)