The Museum on Main welcomes the return of the Ed Kinney Speaker Series virtually in 2021. The Museum on Main is dedicated to linking the past to the future by preserving, clarifying and disseminating information about history specific to the Tri-Valley region and by encouraging participation in the arts and humanities through public programs. Their mission is carried out by permanent exhibitions, tours, newsletters, special events, acquisition, and annual fundraising efforts. Museum on Main is a proud member of the American Alliance of Museums, the American Association for State and Local History, the Museum Store Association, the Western Museums Association,and the California Association of Museums.

About the Series

The Ed Kinney Series is a monthly program of historical character portrayals and speakers. Community members are encouraged to spend an evening with historic characters such as Mark Twain or Babe Ruth and hear from speakers who are experts in their fields. Many of the speakers in the series are Chautauquans, a type of historical character performance originating in Chautauqua, New York. The Chautauquan is in character from the moment they step onto the stage through a special question and answer portion, and will then step out of character to respond to questions that the historic character they portray could not address.

Event Details

This speaker series will be held online this year. Ticket prices range from $10 - $20, and can be purchased by visiting www.museumonmain.org/ed-kinney-series-an-evening-with.html. The Speaker Series schedule is as follows:

Speaker		Date / Time	Details
	An Afternoon or Evening with Lady Bird Johnson	Wednesday, March 24, 2:00 and 7:00 pm	Claudia Alta Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, served as First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969. She was both an American socialite and a shrewd investor and manager. She expanded the role of First Lady by interacting with Congress directly and advocating strongly for beautifying the nation’s cities and highways. The First Lady will be portrayed by actress Gay Storm.
	An Afternoon or Evening with Gene Roddenberry	Wednesday, April 14, 2:00 and 7:00 pm	Gene Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter and producer, who most notably created the Star Trek television series. He was also a combat veteran of WWII, a commercial pilot, and an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department. The brilliant screenwriter who brought us, where no man had gone before, will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Doug Mishler.
	An Afternoon or Evening with Che Guevara	Wednesday, May 26, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm	Che Guevara’s name invites controversy. To many he is seen as a savior but to many others he is seen as a violent revolutionary and murderer. Che’s story is complex and driven by an unwavering commitment to economic and educational equality and a relentless pursuit for meaning. The Communist leader will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Joey Madia.
	An Afternoon or Evening with Thomas Edison	Wednesday, June 9, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm	Thomas Edison is one of America’s greatest inventors. Known as the Wizard of Menlo Park, he was most famous as the inventor who brought us the light bulb, phonograph, and motion pictures. Actor Peter Small will be depicting the famed American inventor.
	An Afternoon or Evening with Erma Bombeck	Wednesday July 21, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm	Erma Bombeck captured with poignancy and humor the ups and downs of a new American phenomenon: the suburban housewife. She brought to American awareness the struggles of women whose lives otherwise felt invisible and taken for granted. The beloved author and columnist will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Susan Marie Frontczak.
	An Afternoon or Evening with Jacques Cousteau	Wednesday, August 18, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm	Jacques Cousteau was a French naval officer, ocean explorer, and co-inventor of the Aqua-Lung. He is known for his extensive undersea investigations and his iconic red hat. He brought marine biology to the masses through his many TV specials, and his name remains connected to oceanography and ocean conservation. Chautauqua scholar Doug Mishler will portray the famed marine biologist.
	An Afternoon or Evening with William Shakespeare	Wednesday, September 15, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm	William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, and is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon." Despite having his work known and celebrated around the world, Shakespeare’s personal life remains largely a mystery. Actor J.T. Turner will bring the beloved and mysterious William Shakespeare to life.
	An Afternoon or Evening with Audie Murphy	Wednesday October 13, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm	Audie Murphy, America’s most decorated WWII combat soldier and Hollywood star, is coming back to Pleasanton by popular demand! Award winning actor Duffy Hudson will portray the war hero in his moving one-man show about Murphy’s life, entitled “To Hell and Back.”

Additional Information

Additional information on this event and vendor opportunities is available. For details, please refer to the Museum on Main representative below.

Contact Information

Sara Schaefer
Museum on Main
603 Main Street, Pleasanton, California  94566
(925) 462-2766 phone    
education@musuemonmain.org e-mail     www.museumonmain.org WWW

Hacienda Owners Association
4305 Hacienda Drive, Suite 330, Pleasanton, California  94588-2738
(925) 734-6500 phone     (925) 734-6501 fax    
info@hacienda.org e-mail     www.hacienda.org WWW