Courses

(HIS321) TEA AND TORTURE

This is an OLLI Digital Library recording and is available to view until August 31, 2026.

Boston was not the only Tea Partier, nor was it the first. Charleston, Philadelphia, Annapolis and Edenton NC were also contenders. Various forms of torture exacted by the British on the American rebels are examined.

Monday, June 1, 2026, OLLI Digital Library

(HIS320) THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION A WORLD WAR NO ONE KNOWS

This is an OLLI Digital Library recording and is available to view until August 31, 2026.

Discover how America was only one relatively compact and insignificant theater of war in what was in reality a World War for England, fought on four fronts with dozens of countries involved, and that American independence was won only due to military aid from two main European powers and the distractions provided by four other major nations.

Monday, June 1, 2026, OLLI Digital Library

(EVENT300) BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ALIVE - MAINSTAGE CHAUTAUQUA PERFORMANCE

A Chautauqua performance portraying Benjamin Franklin is a living-history presentation in which actor GregRobin Smith appears in character, speaking in the first person as Franklin. Blending historical scholarship, storytelling, wit, and audience interaction, the program explores Franklin's life and ideas, including his pivotal role in the American Revolution as a statesman, diplomat to France, and advocate for independence.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(EVENT301) BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ALIVE - BRUNCH WITH BEN

GregRobin Smith, performing as Benjamin Franklin, presents a first-person Chautauqua-style program exploring Franklin's life, ideas, and legacy through scholarship, storytelling, and audience interaction. Join Mr.Franklin for brunch.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(EVENT302) BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ALIVE - TEA, COFFEE & CONVERSATION

GregRobin Smith, performing as Benjamin Franklin, presents a first-person Chautauqua-style program exploring Franklin's life, ideas, and legacy through scholarship, storytelling, and audience interaction. Join Mr.Franklin for coffee, tea, and conversation.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS11826) WRITTEN IN THE BRICKS: THE STORY OF FORT PULAKSI

Explore the history of Fort Polaski, including the impact of rifled cannons, slavery, and soldier graffiti, with a park ranger.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS12026) SUSIE KING TAYLOR'S CIVIL WAR

Explore the life of Susie King Taylor, a Civil War nurse and teacher who joined the Union Army at a young age. Using her memoir and other accounts, it highlights the experiences of Black women during the Civil War and Reconstruction in the South.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS12126) CIVIL WAR SIDEBAR: FASCINATING POTPOURRI

This presentation examines overlooked people, events, and stories that deepen our appreciation of the American Civil War beyond its well-known milestones.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS12226) THROUGH THE LENS: A CULTURAL HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY

This class examines how iconic photographs have documented and shaped American history from the Civil War to the present while teaching basic techniques for interpreting visual storytelling.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS12326) FOLLOWING THE DRUM-WOMEN IN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY

The Continental Army during the Revolutionary War conjures up images of officers in powdered wigs on horseback. What is not envisioned is the women who were officially part of the army and marched along behind them.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS12626/HIS12726/HIS12826) THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1800

Drawing on his lineage as Thomas Jefferson's descendant, David Miller examines the pivotal Election of 1800 and its challenge to the peaceful transfer of power.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS228) FIRESTORM OVER DARMSTADT

Date change from the printed guide: New date is May 14, 2026. Learn about the 1944 RAF bombing of Darmstadt, one of WWII's major firestorms, and its lasting impact on Germany and England.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS302) REVOLUTIONARY WAR BUS TOUR - PREVOST'S MARCH

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a day-long, moderated tour of key Revolutionary War sites in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Historians explore Prevost's March, the 1779 British campaign led by Major General Augustine Prévost. Stops include Purrysburg, Fort Balfour, Old Sheldon Church, Port Royal Island, and more. Fee includes luxury coach transportation with WiFi and restroom, plus docent-led tours by Dr. Steve Wise and Rich Thomas. Lunch not included.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS303) THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AT 250 - ORIGINS, IDEAS, AND LEGACY

The Declaration of Independence is America's most influential founding document. Its principles have inspired movements from the French Revolution to the twentieth century and have been claimed by figures as different as Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln. This course examines the Declaration's language and arguments, asking what Jefferson meant by equality and liberty, how Enlightenment ideas shaped the text, and how convincing its case against King George III was.

This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS304) THE PATRIOT AND FRANCIS MARION: Fact vs Fiction

A brief introduction to Francis Marion will precede a viewing of The Patriot, followed by a discussion comparing the film's portrayal with historical fact.


This course is not open for registrations.
Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

(HIS306) ALCOHOL PROHIBITION-A NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE OF ITS HISTORY IN THE UNITED STATES

Enjoy a narration of the history of Prohibition and the ban on alcohol in the U.S. from 1920 to 1933. NOTE:The program will include a docent in period attire and the display of a varity of items from the museum. Join us on July 22 for the OLLI Bus Tour at the museum.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Hilton Head Island campus

(HIS307) DAY TRIP TO SAVANNAH & THE AMERICAN PROHIBITION MUSEUM

The Prohibition Museum in Savannah, Georgia, invites OLLI members to explore a one-of-a-kind experience. Discover the secrets of the 1920s through interactive exhibits and a hidden speakeasy. After the visit, enjoy two hours to explore Savannah on your own-on foot, by carriage, or by bicycle-without worrying about parking. Note: The tour fee includes bus transportation, museum admission, and docent-led tours

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

(HIS322) ORIGINS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION - 3 PART SERIES

This is an OLLI Digital Library recording and is available to view until August 31, 2026.

The American Revolution had many causes, which originated during the colonial period and took many forms. This course, which may be the first in a (long) series, will examine the development of colonial politics, the impact of colonial wars, and the effects of the Great Awakening in creating a nascent sense of American distinctiveness that led finally to the Revolution.

Monday, June 1, 2026, OLLI Digital Library