The 2016 Ed Kinney Speaker Series presents 
An Evening With...

About the Series

The Ed Kinney Series is a monthly program of historical character portrayals and speakers.  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 Q & A portion, and finally will step out of character to answer questions that the historic character they portray could not address.

DVDs of select lectures are available for purchase at the Museum on Main Gift Shop.  Special thanks to Michael Bruner of Brogan Video for recording services. 

Who Was Ed Kinney?

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Museum on Main’s annual series is named in honor of former Pleasanton Mayor Mr. Ed Kinney.

Mr. Kinney was a resident of Pleasanton for many years and was a wonderful advocate for the city.   His involvement and service to the city inspired both the Ed Kinney Series and the Ed Kinney Community Patriot Award.  He also served as a Vice-President for the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society (Museum on Main).

Mr. Kinney is warmly remembered as the emcee of the parades in the downtown where he would broadcast from the balcony of the Pleasanton Hotel.

Location and Tickets

All lectures in the Ed Kinney Series take place at:
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The Firehouse Arts Center 
4444 Railroad Avenue
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Member Benefits!
Members of Museum on Main receive Lecture Passes for entry to their choice of lectures as well as discounts beyond their passes.  Find out more about Membership Benefits.
Ticketing
Please note: All ticketing for the "An Evening With..." Series is through Museum on Main.
The Firehouse Arts Center Box Office does not handle our ticketing.

$10    General Admission
 $7     Seniors (65+) / Students (with valid ID)
 $5     Members

*MEMBERS WITH LECTURE PASSES: Please note, individual presentation passes received with your membership MUST be exchanged for a ticket to your selected event.  You may call us at (925) 462-2766 to set your tickets aside or come to the Museum on Main in person.  Keep in mind, some events may sell out and there will may be no tickets available at the door to exchange for your passes.

Buy Tickets!
Many of the shows in the An Evening with... series sell out.  Tickets may be available at the event subject to availability.  Cash, check, Visa and MasterCard accepted.
Online 
Click Here to Purchase tickets Online
Tickets purchased online will be available for pick up at Will Call in the lobby of the Firehouse Arts Center on the evening of the event.
By Phone
Charge tickets by phone at (925) 462-2766.
Tickets purchased by phone will be available for pick up at Will Call in the lobby of the Firehouse Arts Center on the evening of the event. Visa and Mastercard accepted.
In Person
Buy your tickets At Museum on Main during regular operating hours. Cash, check, Visa or Mastercard accepted.
Ed Kinney Speaker Series Sponsors 
Corporate Sponsor: Pleasanton Marriott
Presenting Sponsor: Chevron Corporation 

As of Noon on Dec. 23, (after our press release had gone out to local media) Phoebe Hearst cancelled her performance due to unforeseen circumstances. We have secured a replacement performance.  

An Evening with Father Junipero Serra
Tuesday, January 5th, 7pm

Miguel Jose Serra, better known as Father Junípero Serra, became the Father President of the California mission chain early in the eighteenth century. This small frail man of modest background, soft spoken and untiring, would become one of the founders of the most self-sufficient colonies of that colonial period and be forever remembered as "Founder of the California Missions". This fun and interactive presentation will provide the audience not only with historical and factual data about Father Serra, but will provide an introspective look into Father Serra, the man...his life, his personality, his humor and his humanity.

SOLD OUT
​An Evening with General Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
Tuesday, February 9th, 7pm

Feared by Nazis and loved by U.S. bomber crews in WWII, the Tuskegee Airmen were an all African American squadron of fighter pilots. Led by Commander Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the 99th squadron and 332nd Fighter group dominated the skies with their red tails. James Armstead will portray this four star general and talk about his time in the skies in the European Theater. 

SOLD OUT!
​An Evening with General Ulysses S. Grant 
Tuesday, March 22nd, 7pm

From ruin and disgrace to victory and the nation’s highest office, Grant, for all his flaws, is a uniquely American story. Hear from this iconic war hero about leading the Union Army to victory and helping the country through the aftermath of the war. General Grant is portrayed by Frank X. Mullen, a Chautauqua scholar, journalist, historian and author who has performed in living history events in several states and appeared on the History Channel, Discovery, National Geographic, PBS and other cable networks. 
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SOLD OUT!
​An Evening with Uncle Toisan
Tuesday, April 12th, 7pm

Renowned writer, story teller, musician and historian William “Charlie” Chin will be back to portray a Chinese-American character called Uncle Toisan, whose life spans the time from the Chinese Exclusion Act to the post-civil rights era and the emergence of Asian-American consciousness. 

SOLD OUT!
​An Evening with Chevron Historian John C. Harper
Tuesday, May 10th, 7pm

Join us for a special presentation by Chevron historian John C. Harper, who will be sharing his knowledge of Chevron’s history from the establishment of the Pacific Coast Oil Company in 1870. Harper will discuss Chevron’s growth from a San Francisco- based company to a global corporation and its impact in bay area communities throughout its long history.   
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SOLD OUT! 
​An Evening with Golda Meir
Tuesday, June 14th, 7pm

Golda Meir was a politician who played an integral role in the development of Israel and leading her country during the Yom Kippur War of 1973. As the fourth Prime Minister of Israel and the third woman in the world to ever hold the position of prime minister, Golda Meir led with gravitas, intelligence, and unwavering determination in war and peace. Educator and historical impressionist Peter Small will be portraying Golda Meir.
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SOLD OUT!
​An Evening with Emperor Norton I
Tuesday, July 12th, 7pm

Hear ye, hear ye… you won’t want to miss this presentation! Come for an audience with Emperor Norton I,  the wealthy eccentric San Franciscan, who in 1896, declared himself Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. Listen as he enlightens you about his many decrees and proclamations and shares what his life is like as the Emperor. The talented Joseph Amster, tour guide, historian, author, chef, and actor, will be portraying the Emperor.  
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 SOLD OUT! 
​An Evening with Nikita Khrushchev
Tuesday, August 9th, 7pm

Nikita Khrushchev, was one of the 20th Century’s more complex leaders.  As the first secretary of the Soviet Union, Khrushchev’s domestic policy aimed to stop Stalin’s repression and help ordinary citizens. His foreign policy was more aggressive and led the Soviet Union into very tense conflicts during the Cold War, most notably the Cuban Missile Crisis. The communist leader will be portrayed by actor and Professor Doug Mishler. 
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SOLD OUT! 
​An Evening with Julia Morgan
Tuesday, September 20th, 7pm
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She was a female architect in a time when the profession was dominated by men. However, her legacy in the Bay Area and in the fields of design and architecture transcend her gender. Morgan’s work has cemented her as one of the most famous and prolific architects of the 20th Century. Join us as we listen to Morgan reminisce about her experiences as a student in Berkeley and Paris in the 1890s, her philosophy of architecture, her colorful clients and associates, and her lifelong involvement with civic, educational, and philanthropic organizations. Julia Morgan will be portrayed by historian and preservation planner Betty Marvin. 

SOLD OUT!
​An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe
Tuesday, October 11th, 7pm

Back by popular demand is renowned author and actor Duffy Hudson who will be reprising his role as poet, Edgar Allen Poe. Duffy will be preforming A Shadow of the Raven which begins as Edgar Allan Poe rises from the scene of his mysterious death and continues as he pieces together the events of his life. Using a combination of biographical information and the dramatic interpretation of Poe’s literature, Hudson provides a unique, in-depth theatrical experience of the life and works of one of America’s best-known and enigmatic personalities.

For more information about Duffy Hudson visit www.duffyhudson.com
For more information on the Ed Kinney Series or speakers taking part in the series, contact
the Director of Education at (925) 462-2766 or education@museumonmain.org.