Lectures

MAC offers the following lectures for classroom and assembly programs as well as community and senior center visits. If you require a more specialized program on a topic below, MAC will try to customize one to fit your needs. Most of MAC's programs are richly illustrated powerpoint programs. Many come with pre- and post-lesson materials. MAC encourages schools and districts to plan a series of coordinated experiences for their students for maximum educational impact. Available programs include:

Cape May History: A 400 year time capsule with an emphasis on how our location and environment helped shape our history and economy.

Tales of Olde Cape May: A storyteller visits your classroom with a selection of stories from local history and folklore.

Cape May's Maritime Heritage: From Captain Mey to Today: Teaches students about the evolution and importance of whaling, recreational and commercial fishing, maritime trade and travel.

The Beacon: The Cape May Lighthouse: A rich presentation on lighthouse lore with a particular focus on the Cape May Lighthouse and its history and restoration. This program is an ideal preparation for a Cape May Lighthouse climb. 

Cape May on Fire: Beyond the story of The Great Inferno that nearly destroyed Cape May in 1878, this program also deals with other significant 19^th century fires in Cape May and the nation.

Cape May in World War II: Located at the entrance to the strategically vital Delaware River and Bay, the Cape May area played an important role in the war, including homeland defense, anti-submarine warfare and training dive-bomber pilots. 

A Visit from Cape May s World War II Veterans: Several veterans will visit the classroom and discuss their wartime experiences.

The Victorian Civil War: Exploring the causes, events and results of the Civil War, this program also illustrates how it exemplified aspects of Victorian culture.

The Story of Henry Sawyer, Cape May s Civil War Hero: The story of a common man who gained national fame for his uncommon exploits during the Civil War.

The Impact of Industrialization: How the change from an agricultural to an industrial economy changed many aspects of America society during the 1800s.

The Impact of Immigration: This program explains why immigrants chose to come to America and how they shaped the country.

The Impact of Inventions & Technology: Learn how inventions and innovations, especially in transportation and communications, changed the way people lived during the 1800s.

Understanding Victorian Life: Through photos, illustrations and artifacts, your students will learn about the Victorian lifestyle, with an emphasis on then vs. now comparison. 

Victorian Women I: Life in the Cocoon: Victorian women of the upper classes were idealized as wives and mothers, but sheltered from the real world in the cocoon of their homes. Learn how the clothing of the Victorian women reflected their roles and evolved to suit an evolving lifestyle.

Victorian Women II: Shedding the Cocoon: As the Victorian era progressed, women began to shed their cocoons, and participate fully in society. Learn about the forces, movements and dozens of individuals involved in the evolution of Victorian women and their lifestyles.

The 50s Woman: What a Difference a Century Makes: This program contrasts the lifestyle, social roles, and everyday life of women as they evolved over 100 years from 1850 to 1950.

Victorian Spiritualism: The Victorian Era was a golden age for monsters, ghosts, spirits, séances and belief in the paranormal.  This program shows the many aspects of Victorian Spiritualism and why the Victorians were so willing to believe in the other side. 

How the Other Half Lived: Learn how farmers, industrial workers, urban dwellers, immigrants and women achieved the American dream in Victorian society.

School Days in the Victorian Era: What was school like in the Victorian era?  What subjects did children study? This program looks at these questions and compares and contrasts education in the Victorian era with education today.

Victorian Etiquette and Manners: Your students can learn the hows and whys of Victorian manners and etiquette.  A brief introduction to the Victorian Era and to the Emlen Physick Estate is included.

Victorian Christmas: Trees, cards, carols and the very image of Santa Claus himself- your students will learn how these traditions spread to America from Victorian England.

Victorian Recreations: Even at play, Victorians were proper.  Learn about socially acceptable recreations like ocean bathing, croquet, golf, tennis and bicycling in contrast to unacceptable amusements like gambling.

American Stage and Theater in the Victorian Era: Learn how the United States evolved its own unique style of theater in the 1800s.

Analyzing Victorian Architecture: Students will learn how to identify over a half dozen major Victorian architectural styles and how Victorian architecture and interior design reflected Victorian lifestyle and philosophy.

Victorian Homes and Interiors: This program looks at how Victorian homes reflected the Victorians values and lifestyles, including a pictorial trip through the Emlen Physick Estate.

The Wildwoods and the Doo Wop Era: This presentation focuses on the post-WWII era and the Wildwoods heydays in the 50s and 60s as a Mecca for the architecture and music of the Doo Wop era. It features the unique architecture of the era centered on its motels and clubs.

Tea- More than a Beverage: 5,000 years of tea history and lore, from its origins in ancient China to contemporary tearooms.

John Philip Sousa: the Man and his Music: America s March King tells how he changed American music and encouraged young musicians.

Music of the Civil War Era: Learn about the music that inspired the North and the South while also reflecting their competing cultures.

Music of the Victorian Era illustrates the rich variety of music of the Victorian era from Sousa s patriotic marches, to Stephen Foster s minstrel songs, to the great classical works of the era, to the birth of jazz.

Gilbert and Sullivan: The Masters of Musical Theater: Late in the Victorian Era, two Englishmen revolutionized the musical theatre, creating a series of witty, melodic operettas that set a new standard for stage professionalism.

Supernatural Music features music with macabre and spiritual themes, including many pieces still popular today.

Music of the War Years describes the music that accompanied America's war effort. Famous big bands and their leaders and vocalists are featured.

Down Memory Lane lets your students enjoy the unique sounds of the 1950s and 1960s, including Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues and Doo-Wop, as they learn about Wildwood and the South Jersey seashore's important role in the era.

Blues & Jazz: Uniquely American Music: Your students will learn about these American musical forms that swept the world.

For information or to schedule a program, contact:
MAC Museum Education Coordinator Robert Heinly
609-884-5404, extension 134 or rheinly@capemaymac.org