The 2019 Ed Kinney Speaker Series presents 
An Afternoon or 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
TICKETS ON SALE DEC 17!

All lectures in the Ed Kinney Series take place at either :
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The Firehouse Arts Center 
4444 Railroad Avenue
Pleasanton, CA 94566
The Amador Theater  
1155 Santa Rita Road
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Member Benefits!
Members of Museum on Main receive discounted ticket rates and passes for free tickets!  Find out more about Membership Benefits.
Curious about the 2020 Season?
TICKETS FOR NEXT THE 2020 SEASON WILL GO ON SALE
Dec. 2nd- for Museum Members
Dec. 16th- for General Public
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.

$20     General Admission
$15     Seniors (65+) / Students (with valid ID)
$10     Members

*MEMBERS WITH LECTURE PASSES: Please note, Member lecture passes MUST be applied to your ticket order. You may call us at (925) 462-2766 or come to the Museum on Main in person to order your tickets and apply your passes. Your lecture passes do not guarantee tickets. 

Buy Tickets!
Many of the shows in the An Afternoon or 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 venue 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 venue 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 
Community Sponsors: 
City of Pleasanton,
Civic Arts Commission Grant Program,
​ Cellar Door,
​Best Western Plus Pleasanton Inn

2019 Ed Kinney Speaker Series Season

​An Afternoon or Evening with...
​John Steinbeck
​At Firehouse Arts Center
Tuesday, January 15th, 2pm
Tuesday, January 15th, 7pm- SOLD OUT 

Nobel Prize recipient John Steinbeck has written many classic works that have been woven into the American literary canon. Steinbeck will return to reflect upon his life and writings, as well as what has happened since his death. Steinbeck's focus will be on his last two books, both non-fiction: Travels with Charley in search of America and America and Americans. John Steinbeck will be portrayed by scholar Tom Lorentzen.  

An Afternoon or Evening with... 
Aviator Bessie Coleman
​At Firehouse Arts Center
​Tuesday, February 12th, 2pm
Tuesday, February 12th- SOLD OUT

Bessie Coleman was an American aviator in a time when female pilots were extremely rare. In 1921 she became the first woman of both African American and Native American decent to earn an international pilots license. She became a successful air show pilot in the United States and dreamed of starting a school for African-American fliers. Bessie Coleman will be portrayed by actress Betty Slater. ​

An Afternoon or Evening with... 
Eleanor Roosevelt
​At Firehouse Arts Center
​Tuesday, March 5th, 2pm - SOLD OUT ​ 
Tuesday, March 5th, 7pm- SOLD OUT 

​War is always a controversial topic, but for Eleanor Roosevelt during World War II the stakes were very high. She had to navigate between her ideals for peace, and her role as the First Lady of a country embroiled in the largest war the planet had ever seen. Eleanor Roosevelt will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar and actress Susan Marie Frontczak. 

​An Afternoon or Evening with... 
Harry S. Truman
​At Firehouse Arts Center
​Tuesday, April 9th, 2pm -SOLD OUT
Tuesday, April 9th, 7pm- SOLD OUT 

​During his few weeks as Vice President, Harry Truman scarcely saw President Franklin Roosevelt and received no briefing on the development of the atomic bomb or the unfolding difficulties with Soviet Russia. Suddenly these and a host of other wartime problems became Truman’s to solve when he became America’s 33rd President. Truman will be portrayed by actor Peter Small.

 An Afternoon or Evening with...
King Henry VIII
​At Firehouse Arts Center
​Tuesday, May 21st, 2pm
Tuesday, May 21st, 7pm- SOLD OUT

​Once described as one of the most charismatic rulers to sit on the English throne, King Henry VIII is known in modern times for his six marriages and his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. Professor, author, historian and Chautauqua Frank Mullen. will be reprising his role as King Henry VIII.
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​An Afternoon or Evening with...
Nathaniel Hawthorne
​​At Firehouse Arts Center
​Tuesday, June 11th, 2pm
Tuesday, June 11th, 7pm

​Hear the works of American author Nathaniel Hawthorne from the author himself as a young man. Hawthorne, being a reclusive writer, did not enjoy public appearances and never read his works at public assemblies during his lifetime. However for this special public assembly, Hawthorne will return to read some of his short works which explore the dark side of human nature. The famed author will be portrayed by literary historian Rob Velella. ​

​​An Evening with...
WWII Winston Churchill 
​At The Amador Theater
​Tuesday, July 9th, 2pm​
Tuesday, July 9th, 7pm​- SOLD OUT

​Much has happened since we last heard from Winston Churchill shortly after WWI. The beloved Prime Minister will share what he remembers of the trials and difficulties of WWII and parts of the inspiring speeches he offered over the airwaves in those dark days.  He will recall the unconquerable will of the British people and the friendship he formed with President Roosevelt. Kevin Radaker, professor and Chautauqua scholar, will be reprising his role as Winston Churchill. ​

An Afternoon or Evening with...
Pablo Picasso 
At Firehouse Arts Center
​​Tuesday, August 13th, 2pm
Tuesday, August 13th, 7pm​- SOLD OUT ​

​Pablo Picasso is a name synonymous with modern art. He was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, poet, and playwright. He is regarded as one of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th century. Historian, actor, and  scholar Doug Mishler will be portraying the famous artist. 

An Afternoon or Evening with... 
William Clark
​At Firehouse Arts Center
Tuesday, September 24th, 2pm
Tuesday, September 24th, 7pm- SOLD OUT

​Hear from one of America’s greatest explorers, William Clark, who along with Meriwether Lewis, led the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806 across the Louisiana Purchase. He will recall his time as an explorer, soldier, planter, Indian agent, territorial governor, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Scholar and actor Hal Stearns will portray William Clark.

An Afternoon or Evening with...
George Burns 
​​At Firehouse Arts Center
Tuesday, October 15th, 2pm- SOLD OUT
Tuesday, October 15th, 7pm- SOLD OUT

​Back by popular demand is comedic legend George Burns.  At 100 years young, George Burns left a legacy of laughs as one of the few entertainers whose career spanned vaudeville, film, radio, and television.  Film and Broadway actor Duffy Hudson will reprise his role as Burns in this musically entertaining portrayal of the beloved cigar smoking comedian.
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.