History Talk and Book Signing with Author Richard Schwartz, Saturday, May 6

The Martinez Historical Society and the Contra Costa County Historical Society invite you to this free history talk and book signing in honor of America’s Jewish male actor - M.B. Curtis.

Historian Richard Schwartz presents an illustrated talk about his new book, The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty: The Extraordinary Rise and Fall of Actor M.B. Curtis. His presentation will reveal the life of this incredibly influential immigrant actor of the late nineteenth century. As the first Jewish male actor allowed to portray a Jewish male on stage in America, Curtis' story is one of immigration, assimilation, theatre history and how the invisible wings of comedy can affect the nation's direction.

When: Saturday, May 6, 2017 - 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Richard's talk begins at 1:00 pm.

A wine reception featuring Bray Wines and a book signing with the Author will follow at 2:30 pm.

Where: Shell Clubhouse, 1635 Pacheco Blvd., Martinez

Details: Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. Free parking available. RSVP is requested.

To RSVP, please call (925) 229-1042 or email mkting@cocohistory.org

A $10 donation is suggested at the door. All proceeds benefit the preservation work of the Martinez & CoCo County archives.

About the Author:

Richard Schwartz is a historian and the author of Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley; Earthquake Exodus, 1906; Berkeley 1900; and The Circle of Stones. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. An outdoor enthusiast and animal lover, Schwartz worked on a Pennsylvania Dutch farm for two years before heading west to find higher mountains. He now lives in Berkeley, California, where he works as a building contractor and documents early Native American sites in the Bay Area. The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty (April 2017) is his fifth book. For further information, visit www.richardschwartz.info