Thames River Heritage Park Foundation to offer Two New Virtual Lectures

The Thames River Heritage Park Foundation will offer two new lectures in its Stories from the Park Virtual Lecture Series at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 21st and Sunday, February 28th via Zoom.

On February 21st “Eugene O’Neill’s New London” will explore the Whaling City at the turn of the 20th Century and the influence it had on the four-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and America’s only playwright to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. This presentation will also discuss how the city’s influences are depicted in many of O’Neill’s plays. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O’Neill’s boyhood summer home on Pequot Avenue, is a heritage site in the Thames River Heritage Park.

This lecture will be led by Rob A. Richter, director of arts programming at Connecticut College where he curates the onStage performing arts series and teaches a seminar “Eugene O’Neill’s America.”

“O’Neill’s tragedy  “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” is numbered on the short list of the finest U.S. plays in the 20th century. Rob’s talk will provide perspective and insights on O’Neill’s life here rarely discussed,” says Amy Perry, Thames River Heritage Park Executive Director.

On February 28th Executive Director of the New London County Historical Society Steve Manuel will share the story of HMS Resolute. In May 1845, British explorer Sir John Franklin set out on his two vessels, the Terror and the Erebus, in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. Two years passed with no word from Franklin, and in 1848 expeditions were sent out in search, one of which was the HMS Resolute. When the New London crew of the George Henry found it more than a year later, they were shocked by what they found.

“We have heard many references to the Resolute desk used by many US Presidents in the Oval Office and made from timbers from The HMS Resolute. But many may not know the story behind this legendary ship. Steve’s talk will be a fascinating journey,” says Perry.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the one-hour lectures. Tickets are $10. Additional Stories from the Park lecture dates and details will be available as determined on the Park’s website. Tickets must be purchased online at bit.ly/TRHPStories or by going to Thames RiverHeritagePark.org and clicking on the Stories from the Park banner at the top of the home page.

 Purchasers will receive a link to the lecture in their confirmation.