Speakers' Bureau

General History Topics:

Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era (60 minutes or longer)
Mandy Altimus Stahl will discuss the Titanic from concept to completion, the sinking of the Titanic, and stories of the passengers. She will explain why the Titanic was so significant. Displays include books, photographs, pamphlets, and reproduction newspapers that patrons are encouraged to look through. Each attendee will receive a boarding pass featuring a real passenger aboard the Titanic. After the program passengers may check for their name in the sea of 2,208 passengers on the Titanic list.

Massillon and the Great War (WWI) (60 minutes)
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of America's involvement in World War I, Mandy Altimus Stahl has compiled a thorough presentation of Massillon and Stark County's contributions to the War. Take a journey from the early 1900s leading up to the Great War, and learn how the first World War led to the second.

Early Massillon and Lost Kendal (60 minutes)
Before Massillon, there was Kendal, Ohio. The story of these communities is a tapestry of local, national, and international history. Learn about Stahl's discoveries in researching her book, Early Massillon & Lost Kendal (2017, Arcadia Publishing). Learn about the Ohio frontier and its pioneers from 1812 to 1860. 

Massillon and the Underground Railroad (60 minutes)
For her book, Early Massillon and Lost Kendal, Stahl extensively researched the era from 1811 to 1860, when the Underground Railroad was most active in Massillon. “The Underground Railroad was an important part of our city’s history. It is impressive to learn how many compassionate people and abolitionists lived in Kendal and Massillon, and we hosted lecturer Lucretia Coffin Mott in 1847.”

The Great Depression and the New Deal (1929-1940) (60 minutes)
Learn about the causes and aftermath of the Stock Market crash of 1929, and how America scrambled to recover.

Massillon Theaters of Stage and Screen (60 minutes)
Audiences have been entertained on stage and on screen for more than 150 years. Learn about local early film theaters, theatre troops, heartwarming stories and scandal.

Entertainment of the Early 1900s (30-60 minutes)
Using audio and video clips, Mandy Altimus Stahl will share various sources of entertainment of the early 1900s, including Vaudeville, vinyl records, sheet music, amusement parks, and more. Learn about the social structure of the era and the technological advancements that came from entertainment.

Jacob Coxey, Massillon, and the Progressive Era (45 minutes)
Jacob Coxey led the first protest march on Washington D.C., leading a group of unemployed men from Massillon to D.C. on foot. Coxey's ideas on public works were 40 years ahead of their time. Learn more about one of Massillon's eccentric and famous characters.

Important Women of Massillon (30 minutes)
Massillon women include the first female to run for president to world famous singers and photographers. Learn about the most interesting ladies in Massillon's history.

The History of Early Silent Film 1870-1910 (30-60 minutes)
Where do our moving pictures come from? Mandy Altimus Stahl will lead audiences through the birth of the motion picture to the early narrative films of the 1900s, through the 1910s.

Historic Buildings of Massillon, Part 1 and Part 2 (30-60 minutes each)
Mandy Altimus Stahl will share stories connected with historic buildings in Massillon. There are so many to discuss that this presentation is available in two parts!

For Genealogists, Family History, and Students:

Preserving Photographs and Documents (30-60 minutes)
Archivist Mandy Altimus Stahl will lead you through the handling and preservation of photographs and documents, including case studies from the Massillon Museum collection. Attendees will get a printed resource guide for appraisals, archival supplies, restoration services, and more.

Recording Your History, Oral Histories: Preserving Stories (30-60 minutes) 
Archivist Mandy Altimus Stahl will discuss why oral histories are important and provide online history resources for broader context. She will provide possible questions to ask your subject, what equipment you'll need, and what to do with your interview once it's complete.

For Museums and Historical Societies:

Intermediate Digitization for Museums (45 minutes)
Learn how to scan high resolution images and use them to engage your audiences. This includes uploading to photo-sharing websites, social media, and printing reproductions.

Case Study: Digitizing Photo Negatives (60 minutes)

Identifying Archival Materials (30 minutes)

Email Mandy.