New Hope Historical Society Announces 2023 Speaker Series

NEW HOPE BOROUGH, PA —The 21st Annual New Hope Historical Society Speaker Series opens April 3 at 5 p.m. in the auditorium of the Logan Inn in New Hope. This year’s topics include the Revolutionary War, Orphan Trains, Arts & Collectables and Bucks County - Past and Present.

William L. (Larry) Kidder will open the series on April 3. He will discuss his acclaimed book, “Ten Crucial Days” that portrays the struggles and successes of Washington’s army from the Battle of
Trenton to the Battle of Princeton.

After receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees from Allegheny College, Kidder taught for 40 years in both public and private schools, including 32 years at the Hun School of Princeton.

He served four years of active duty in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the U.S. Navy Research and Development Unit, Vietnam, and then the destroyer USS Brownson (DD868) home ported in Newport, Rhode Island.

In the 1980s Kidder was the lead researcher and writer for the creation of the Admiral Arleigh Burke National Destroyermen’s Museum aboard the destroyer museum ship USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD850) at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts.

The series continues on April 10 with author, film producer, publisher and literary agent Michael Keene. "Abandoned - the Untold Story of Orphan Asylums” will be shown followed by a discussion via Zoom with Keene, who lives in Boulder City, Nevada.

The video will discuss his most recent work about the plight of homeless Irish immigrant orphans in New York City.

In response to this crisis, the age of orphan asylums began, culminating in one of the most improbably and audacious episodes in American history. Called the "Orphan Train Movement," it endeavored to save these children lost to the streets by heroes who fought for their liberation.

Keene had been a financial advisor for 25 years, before curiosity about the history of Midtown Plaza led him to a new career. He is the author of eight books including his recently published, “New York City’s Hart Island: A Cemetery of Strangers."

Next in the series will be a presentation by Jay Eisenberg, an avid collector, dealer, and artist on April 17. Attendees will get to see and hear about his eclectic collection of items ranging from political buttons to automobiles. They will also see some of his brilliant works of art and learn about his career as an artist.

Like most five and six year olds his age, he already had lots of lead soldiers, cowboys and Indians, English Dinky Toys, comic books and baseball cards. When he walked home from school with his pants cuffs turned up, he'd fill them with bottle caps, marbles, pennies, etc. - whatever he found on the ground. He was hooked!

As far as art is concerned, as early as elementary school, he was the kid chosen to draw Santa, the Halloween pumpkin patch, and the Easter Bunny. Getting those accolades at a young age put him on the trajectory of becoming an artist. After that, he never thought of another path.

The Speaker Series concludes on April 24 with a discussion by Kathryn Finegan Clark about her popular book, "Bucks County Pennsylvania," which explores remnants of the county’s history through 191 images and story essays. A graduate of Barnard College, New York City, where she studied writing.

A prize-winning journalist, the Durham Township resident began her newspaper career at the Bucks County Courier Times as a staff writer, and later, features editor. Later, she was a reporter for The Intelligencer as reporter and as edition editor. She was senior editor of a national business magazine for six years and has been freelancing since 2002.

Each presentation in the series will be followed by a reception where participants can meet the speakers. Admission is free for members of the New Hope Historical Society. There is a $15 admission fee for non-members. Reserve tickets at newhopehistory.org.