Past Lecture Series

The Annual Whitehall Lecture Series brings experts and best-selling authors to discuss Gilded Age topics, events, and local history. We encourage you to visit each past Lecture Series page to learn about a wide range of engaging topics. Many lecture audio and video recordings are available for streaming.

2020 Whitehall Lecture Series

TJ Stiles web

The 35th Annual Whitehall Lecture Series, Transcontinental: American Railroads and the Visionaries Who Built Them, presented the fascinating histories of American railroad empires and the powerful industry pioneers who built them.

2019 Whitehall Lecture Series

Pietruska RGB 72

The 34th Annual Whitehall Lecture Series, The Last Days of the Gilded Age, set the stage to eulogize the Gilded Age as the golden era of booming economy, rapid scientific and technological advancement, and strict social etiquette for some, and introduce the dawn of the Progressive Era, defined by years of push for social and political reform and cultural change.

2018 Whitehall Lecture Series

Will Englund for web

The 33rd Annual Whitehall Lecture Series, Heroes of the Homefront: World War I and the Faces of Wartime America, commemorated the roles of American soldiers and supporters during World War I.

2017 Whitehall Lecture Series

Mitch Horowitz

The 32nd Annual Whitehall Lecture Series, Metaphysical America: Spirituality and Health Movements During the Gilded Age, explored a variety of esoteric practices born from America's Gilded Age fascination with all things exotic and mystical.

2016 Whitehall Lecture Series

Kersten

The 31st Annual Whitehall Lecture Series, Legal Landmarks of the Gilded Age, explored the legal landmarks of the Gilded Age in America.

2015 Whitehall Lecture Series

American Museum of Natural History 10w Grayscale 96dpi

The 30th Annual Whitehall Lecture Series, Monumental America: Gilded Age Monuments That Illustrate the American Character, will explore the most powerful representations of the American Character, symbolizing the conscience, spirit, mind, and body of America.

2014 Whitehall Lecture Series

1 Inventor Tycoon

The 29th Annual Whitehall Lecture Series welcomes best-selling authors to discuss Crimes of the Century

2013 Whitehall Lecture Series

grant

The 28th Annual Whitehall Lecture Series welcomes best-selling authors to discuss Presidents of the Gilded Age. There will be a book signing with the author after each lecture. Presidents to be discussed this year include: Grant, McKinley, Garfield, Cleveland, and Hayes.

2012 Whitehall Lecture Series

OverSeaRR Lecture

The 27th Annual Whitehall Lecture Series brings historians and authors to discuss Great Engineering Feats of the Gilded Age. The engineering feats featured are: construction of the Over-Sea Railroad, the creation of the Ferris Wheel, New York's Penn Station Tunnels, the Los Angeles Aqueducts, building of the RMS Titanic, and construction of the Panama Canal.

2011 Whitehall Lecture Series

Historic Breakers

The 26th Annual Whitehall Lecture Series brings expert historians and authors to discuss "The Architects Who Designed Palm Beach's Iconic Buildings." Noatable architects featued this year include: Carrère and Hastings, Joseph Urban, Schultze & Weaver, and Addison Mizner. The Museum welcomes esteemed writers such as:
Laurie Ossman, John Loring, Jonathan Mogul, and Caroline Seebohm to Whitehall.

2010 Whitehall Lecture Series

Oscar WildeGray96i

The 25th Annual Whitehall Lecture Series brings experts and best-selling authors to discuss the colorful history of Popular Entertainment During the Gilded Age. From theme park dreamers to imaginative magicians of stage and light, entertainment during the Gilded Age set the stage for contemporary amusement.

2009 Whitehall Lecture Series

Major Book Cover

The theme of the 24th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is Sports Legends of the Gilded Age. The Series presents expert scholars, authors, and speakers from prominent museums, universities, and cultural institutions from around the world.

2008 Whitehall Lecture Series

LaurenBelfer WEB

The 23rd annual Whitehall Lecture Series is dedicated to hosting expert scholars, authors, and museum professionals. The Lecture Series provides a comprehensive look at diverse events and topics of the Gilded Age. The theme of this year's Lectures series is The Great Expositions of the Gilded Age.

2007 Whitehall Lecture Series

JohnBlades

The 22nd annual Whitehall Lecture Series is dedicated to hosting expert scholars, authors, and museum professionals. The Lecture Series provides a comprehensive look at diverse events and topics of the Gilded Age. The theme of this year's Lectures series is City Bosses and Company Towns.

2006 Whitehall Lecture Series

Paul Israel

The 21st annual Whitehall Lecture Series is dedicated to hosting expert scholars, authors, and museum professionals. The Lecture Series provides a comprehensive look at diverse events and topics of the Gilded Age. The theme of this year's Lectures series is Heroes and Villains of the Gilded Age.

2005 Whitehall Lecture Series

gordon

The 20th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is dedicated to hosting expert scholars, authors, and museum professionals. The Lecture Series provides a comprehensive look at diverse events and topics of the Gilded Age. The theme of this year's Lectures series is Tragedy in the Gilded Age.

2004 Whitehall Lecture Series

jeffrey melton

The 19th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is dedicated to hosting expert scholars, authors, and museum professionals. The Lecture Series provides a comprehensive look at diverse events and topics of the Gilded Age. 

2003 Whitehall Lecture Series

FernicolaRichard

The 18th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is dedicated to hosting expert scholars, authors, and museum professionals. The Lecture Series provides a comprehensive look at diverse events and topics of the Gilded Age. The theme of this year's Lectures series is Events that Shaped the Gilded Age.

2002 Whitehall Lecture Series

Armin Allen small1

The 17th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is dedicated to hosting expert scholars, authors, and museum professionals. The Lecture Series provides a comprehensive look at diverse events and topics of the Gilded Age. 

2001 Whitehall Lecture Series

lowe2 small

The 16th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is dedicated to hosting expert scholars, authors, and museum professionals. The Lecture Series provides a comprehensive look at diverse events and topics of the Gilded Age.