Lunch & Learn Series

Bring a bag lunch and learn during these informative talks on popular topics of history, culture, science and the arts. Lunch & Learn programs are offered both LIVE at the Cape May Lutheran Church Hall, 509 Pittsburgh Ave., Cape May, and by ZOOM. You may bring your lunch and beverage but no food or drink is provided. The hall is accessible and free parking is available. No registration is needed if you plan to attend in person.

2025 schedule and lecture topics listed below.

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The Story of Black History Month

February 4: 12 pm

Black History Month has become a vital part of the American calendar — but its story is far richer and more complex than many realize. Ted Bryan explores the origins of the observance, the key figures who brought it to life, and the reasons it remains important today. A concise and insightful introduction to the “who, what, when, and why” behind this annual celebration.

Black Classical Composers

February 18: 12 pm

There have been Black composers of classical music as far back as the mid-eighteenth century, but many have been forgotten. The classical music world is beginning to address the systemic racism and cultural biases in its history. Dr. Brenda Leonard celebrates the artistry of eight composers of color whose work is coming back into the mainstream.

Unsung Heroes of the American Revolution — Let’s Hear It for the Ladies

March 4: 12 pm

It’s remarkable how many women were involved in the Revolutionary War and how little is known about their service. Join Mary Stewart as she uncovers the courage and contributions of these forgotten patriots.

Margaret’s Diary During a Revolution

March 18: 12 pm

Written and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth based on the diary Margaret Morris kept when tensions between Hessians and Patriots were escalating near Trenton in December 1776. As many of her neighbors fled Burlington, she decided to stay, not knowing her fate.

Spectrums of Folly: Recounting The Archetypal Fool

April 1: 12 pm

Despite its obscure origins, April Fools’ Day has won international recognition as a time for the shameless embrace of humor and deception. In a multicultural analysis of foolish paradigms, Hannah Vaught-Crumbock will explore universal patterns linking diverse social attitudes concerning the “fool.”

What Were They Thinking? 150 Years of Bad Taste in America

April 15: 12 pm

Every era looks back on the previous period with horror. Bad taste is nothing new. Show-off, nouveau riche, loud and obnoxious choices have always been popular, yet there is really no such thing as bad taste in any measurable sense. Come enjoy the fun as Elan Zingman-Leith considers the hideous belongings of our forefathers.

Franklin Pierce and a Nation on the Edge

May 6: 12 pm

Often overlooked in presidential history, Franklin Pierce governed during a deeply divisive period when the future of the Union was far from certain. Ben Ridings explores Pierce as both a president and a person, examining the challenges of his administration and his personal life, as well as his lesser-known connection to Cape May.

Why more coastal flooding at the Jersey Shore, and the 2026 Hurricane season outlook

May 20: 12 pm

After a quiet hurricane season for the United States last year, will 2026 bring a repeat performance? Meteorologist Joe Martucci is back for an engaging presentation on what’s ahead and a look at how climate change is shaping tidal flooding at the Jersey Shore.

New Jersey’s Revolutionary Rivalry, the Untold Story of Col. Tye & Capt. Huddy

June 3: 12 pm

New Jersey Historian Rick Geffken returns, bringing us the intriguing and little-known story of the Revolutionary War conflicts between a runaway slave called Col. Tye fighting for the British and his Patriot foe. The extralegal hanging of militia Capt. Joshua Huddy in Highlands, New Jersey created an international incident when George Washington resolved to hang a British POW in retribution. These incidents threatened the success of the Paris Peace Treaty talks.

Grant Street Beach: Nostalgia, Connection and Black Joy

June 17: 12 pm

Local artist Chanelle René shares her deeply personal connection to Cape May’s historic Black beach and how those experiences shaped her Grant Street Beach painting series. Through family stories, photographs, and personal accounts, her talk centers on nostalgia, belonging, and the joy of Cape May’s Black community, where intimate beach moments span generations.

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Past Lectures

Click below to find the YouTube playlist of all our previous Lunch & Learns.

Past Lunch & Learn Lectures

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