Lunch & Learn Series

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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Fur and Fury: War Dogs in the Fight for Freedom

November 5: 12 pm

During World War II, approximately 20,000 dogs served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard as part of the Dogs for Defense program. Ben Ridings explores the program’s origins, the rigorous training these heroic canines underwent, and their remarkable contributions both on the home front and in the European and Pacific Theaters.

sketch of gilbert and sullivan

Naval Air Station Wildwood: History and Legacy

November 19: 12 pm

Since colonial times, the Cape May area has been vital in the defense of the Atlantic coast. NAS Wildwood was once a key player in that responsibility and still serves as a cultural and historic attraction. Join Bill Boorse for a discussion of the history of this landmark and its current role in the greater Cape May community.

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A Classical Christmas: Instrumental Music for the Season

December 17: 12 pm

Explore music that has captured the spirit of Christmas, from reflective pieces to celebratory tunes. Dr. Brenda Leonard presents instrumental works which showcase the beauty and festive energy of winter and evoke the joy of the holiday season.
sketch of gilbert and sullivan

Opera and Ballet in Louis XIV’s France

January 7: 12 pm

Louis XIV, the “Sun King” (1638-1715) loved to dance. During his long reign, he brought ballet, opera, and other arts into the cultural life of the French aristocracy and thus created a distinct French tradition. Margaret Montet will talk about Louis the man and Louis the king with an emphasis on the arts of his time.
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A Year of Anniversaries: Celebrating Cape May’s 175 Years and 50 as a National Historic Landmark

January 21: 12 pm

Join Ben Ridings, Cape May MAC Curator, for a look at the milestones that make 2026 a year of celebration. Marking Cape May’s 175th anniversary of incorporation and the 50th anniversary of its National Historic Landmark designation, this program explores how Cape May became a living record of American architecture and preservation history.

Past Lectures

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

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