Entire 2026 Wisdom Wednesday series - register by January 10. Early Bird Price for a Series of 5 monthly virtual classes.

                Slavery and the Underground Railroad in Worthington

James Kilbourn and his neighbors yearned for a community in which settlers would enjoy both Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. He held back the purchase of 16000 acres until Ohio’s constitution prohibited slavery. This presentation will examine some of the historical sites and stories in Worthington that demonstrate this community’s commitment to freedom and caring for all its community.

Steffanie Haueisen is a featured and longtime docent of the Worthington Historical Society.  She currently chairs Home Tours and serves on the Walnut Grove/ Flint Cemetery Advisory Committee. She has over 31 years of experience in education and has a passion for architecture and the paleo-Indian Cultures. She finds sharing with adults very satisfying.

The discussion will focus on democracy and governing in Ohio and the nation. How are we doing? What are some of the root causes underlying our problems? We will look back at the 2025 elections and speculate about the upcoming 2026 elections. There will be ample opportunity for Q and A.

 Our own resident, Herbert B. Asher (Ph.D., Michigan, 1970), Professor Emeritus, has research and teaching interests in mass political behavior and research methods, with particular emphasis on campaigns, elections, and public opinion polling. His secondary interests include legislative politics and the politics and government of Ohio. He has participated in many media events and is a favorite on NPR.

The Orchard House is best known as where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women in 1868. This noble home also has a rich history stretching back two centuries. The Alcotts were a famous yet flawed family who firmly believed in the power of unconditional love, personal agency, and social justice. This special program will look at the life of Louisa May Alcott and her family and their impact on literature, education, art, and possibly on all of us.

Louisa May Alcott

Jan has been the Executive Director of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House since 1999, recently served as historical consultant to the Masterpiece Little Women miniseries, and is also an internationally acclaimed portrayer of Louisa May Alcott.