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Online Program

Online Lecture: The Gold Rush — Siren Song of the Western Migration

Program No. 24924RJ
Join us on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 2 p.m. (ET)/ 11 a.m. (PT), for a one-hour lecture and Q&A to explore the history and enduring impacts of the Gold Rush.
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HistoryCity DiscoveriesOnline Lecture
Length
1 hour
Rating
New
Starts at
25

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At a Glance

Embark on a journey westward and immerse yourself in the captivating tale of the Gold Rush. In 1848, San Francisco's population stood at a mere 850 people. Within a year, it surged to 20,000, heralding an unprecedented transformation. Dubbed "The village that became a city without ever being a town," the Gold Rush ignited a frenzy of shipping, real estate, construction and agricultural booms that rivaled the allure of gold itself. Renowned author and filmmaker James Dalessandro reveals how this historic event reshaped American commerce, art and culture, laying the groundwork for the American middle class. Among his extensive repertoire of San Francisco narratives, this portrayal of wild events and colorful characters promises to be a captivating saga of the Gold Rush and its enduring impact.

General Notes

Your online lecture will take place live over the course of 1-2 hours. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly. This live online experience uses Zoom Webinar, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. You will receive a confirmation email when you enroll, and a reminder email one week and one day before, as well as the morning of the event with a link and instructions on how to tune in. You will not be pictured on screen during the lecture, but you will have the opportunity to ask the instructor live questions using the Q&A box. Unless otherwise noted, all those who enroll in this program receive access to the live event as well as a recording of the lecture that you can watch any time within the two weeks following the live event.
Featured Expert
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James Dalessandro
James Dalessandro is a bestselling novelist, journalist and filmmaker. His novel "1906," an epic re-creation of the San Francisco Earthquake, was a #1 National Bestseller in Historical Fiction in its Kindle/digital release, as was his "Citizen Jane" in True Crime. His documentary "The Damnedest Finest Ruins" changed San Francisco history when city supervisors unanimously passed his resolution setting aside the death count of 478 and recognizing his figure of 3,000 plus. James has lectured to Road Scholars on dozens of topics for 15+ years.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of James Dalessandro
James Dalessandro View biography
James Dalessandro is a bestselling novelist, journalist and filmmaker. His novel "1906," an epic re-creation of the San Francisco Earthquake, was a #1 National Bestseller in Historical Fiction in its Kindle/digital release, as was his "Citizen Jane" in True Crime. His documentary "The Damnedest Finest Ruins" changed San Francisco history when city supervisors unanimously passed his resolution setting aside the death count of 478 and recognizing his figure of 3,000 plus. James has lectured to Road Scholars on dozens of topics for 15+ years.
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