Before Walt Whitman published "Leaves of Grass" in 1859 and became a famous poet, he taught in several one-room schools on Long Island. His writings about his experiences as a student and teacher provide a lens into American education in the years before the Civil War.  The talk is supplemented by slides of school house museums, including some of the schools where Whitman taught on Long Island.

The speaker, Dr. Natalie Naylor, is a retired Hofstra University professor who taught American and Long Island history.  Dr. Naylor is president of the Nassau County Historical Society and editor of its annual journal.  

Space limited. Reservations requested. No fee.