“Lizzie Borden: Did She Do It?”
In 1892 a young woman named Lizzie Borden found herself the accused murderer of her father and stepmother. Although she was acquitted of all charges, rumor mills and gossipmongers relentlessly pursued her the rest of her life. Over a century later, the name Lizzie Borden still conjures the image of an axe-wielding murderess. In this presentation, Tricia hopes to peel away decades of hearsay, misinformation, and media lies to reveal the real Lizzie Borden of Fall River.
“Gruesome Twosome: Charles Addams and Edward Gorey”
In this fun and riveting presentation, Tricia tells the tales of the eccentric cartoonists who never met, yet whose lives run eerily parallel to one another. From these twisted geniuses came such devilish delights as The Addams Family and The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Enjoy this visually entertaining feast about the minds of two men whose macabre senses of humor and unusual lives make for one wickedly wild program.
“Robert Louis Stevenson: Myths Revealed”
We may only think of Stevenson as the author of Treasurer Island or A Child’s Garden of Verses, but he also wrote chilling tales like The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the short story “The Body Snatcher.” Tricia recounts the stranger-than-fiction life of Stevenson and share some of the ghastly, real-life people and events that inspired Stevenson’s writing.
“Nellie Bly: Adventures of a ‘Mad’ Woman”
Tricia brings to life one of Victorian America’s true mavericks, New York journalist Nellie Bly. In addition to her famous trip around the world, Bly also took on the role of an inmate at Blackwell’s Asylum, writing of the horrors she witnessed. This one hour, first person presentation is sure to enlighten and entertain.
“The Terrifying Truth About Victorian Medicine”
Ah, Victorian life. Graceful. Elegant. Chivalric. Deadly. While you may pine away, dreaming of life in days gone by, there’s something you should know first…
Tricia brings to the forefront some astounding—and truly horrifying—information about the “science” of Victorian medicine. Learn how to stop a cough with boiled mercury and laudanum, or how to lessen a child’s fever by wrapping them in ice blankets and loading them with heroin. Please be advised: this lecture presents graphic images and gruesome situations.
“The Extraordinary Life of Orson Welles”
Orson Welles was most famous-or perhaps infamous-for The War of the Worlds and Citizen Kane. But despite his almost mythical status, the real Orson Welles is all but unknown. Storyteller Tricia Kelly will put the spotlight on Mr. Welles’ life and career through stories and accompanying PowerPoint to expose why Orson Welles deserves to be called a legend.
“Agatha Christie—Woman of Mystery”
Nearly everyone is familiar with the works of British author Agatha Christie, particularly gems like Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None. But what’s not so well-known is Agatha Christie herself. Find out what sort of person the ‘queen of mystery’ was really like, uncover the secrets behind her divorce and sudden disappearance, and find out how she knew so darn much about poisons and how they worked.
“Interview With a Victorian”
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in another time? Wish you could travel back to the ‘good old days’ of the late 19th century? Think you were born in the wrong era? Well, think again! Historian Tricia Kelly dons a dress to bring you an exclusive interview as a Victorian gal and answers your questions about all things Victorian: childhood, relationships, money, housekeeping, fashion, social functions, motherhood, mourning, death, and everything in-between. It could well change your mind about the ‘Gilded’ Age!
“Irish Need Not Apply: From the Irish Famine to the Celtic Tiger”
This presentation lays bare the immense difficulties facing Irish immigrant women trying to find their place in 19th-century America.
“Prairie Iron: The Remarkable Life of Pioneer Elsie Armstrong”
In this emotionally charged presentation, Tricia dons the bonnet of Elsie Armstrong, a mother and adventurer who relocated to Illinois in the 1830s with her young sons in tow. Her will knew no limits and her spiritual, physical, and emotional strength surpassed many of even the strongest of her fellow male counterparts. The tales of her setbacks and triumphs will leave you in awe–and with a whole new respect for the early settlers of Illinois.
In the Works
“Madame Tussaud: A ‘Head’ of Her Time”
Born into a family of public executioners and raised in the shadow of the French Revolution, famed wax sculptress Marie Tussaud certainly had an unusual perspective on life – and death. Storyteller Tricia Kelly brings the gruesome career of Madame Tussaud to life in first-person narrative. Included in this presentation are some recent discoveries regarding the legendary lady.
“Honor Among Shelves: Classic Novels You Should be Reading, but Probably Aren’t”
Frankenstein. The Old Man and the Sea. A Christmas Carol. Treasure Island. Familiar names, yes… yet when was the time last time you actually read any of them? The classics are classic for a reason. Let Tricia provide some insight as to why they are classic – and why they should be included in your next book order binge.
“Heave To, Me Hearties!”
Adults and children alike are fascinated by such Pirates as Black Bart, Captain Kidd, Amne Bonny, and the most famous – or infamous – of all: Blackbeard. Climb aboard and step back in time to the ‘Golden Age’ of piracy with Captain Tricia. She’ll turn you fresh landlubbers into scurvy mateys with true tales of life on the high seas, pirate punishments, eerie ghost ships, and savage sea battles. You’ll even learn a bit of pirate parlance. It’s high adventure for swabbies of all ages!
“Salem Speaks: Voices of the Salem Witches”
February 1692 to May 1693 may well be defined as one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history. Over 200 innocent men and women were dragged from their homes and accused of the crime of witchcraft. 20 of them were executed. What was really going on in 17th century America? Was it hysteria? Ergotism? Petty jealousy? Or was it something far more sinister? Tricia will attempt to shine a little light on the subject, incorporating real trial testimony and quotes from the accused. One of the victims, Rebecca Nurse, will make a special ‘appearance’ to break her silence for the first time in over 300 years.