Winter 2026 Activity Guide

LEAVE IT TO BEAVER: A JOURNEY OF MOUNTAINS AND MEN | 50+ YRS Richard Bloom Thanks to European fashion tastes a substantial number of individualists the early 1800s managed to convert their 15 minutes of fame on the American stage to more than 40 years. From 1800 through about 1840, America’s mountain men ranged throughout the western mountains in search of what they considered wilderness gold: the beaver pelt. As long as beaver hats held their popularity in Europe and America, the mountain man commanded center stage west of the Mississippi and left an indelible imprint on the unfolding American saga. Part 1 1/5 - Purple Mountain Majesties: Beaver by the thousands called the nation’s Rocky Mountain range their home. 1/12 - Furs, Fashions And Fortunes: Entrepreneurs like Manuel Lisa and John Jacob Astor made fortunes and reputations in the fur trade. 1/26 - A Man Alone: The men who signed on to hunt and trap beaver were no shrinking violets. 2/2 - Tools Of The Trade: A true mountain man came fully loaded with tools and weapons to make his solitary journey a success. 2/9 - On The Job: Like any other disciplines, trapping beaver was an exact science with a method to its madness. 2/23 - Let’s Par-Taaaay!: Once a year beginning in about 1825, the mountain men would rendezvous to one up each other, drink, play cards, compare notes and build a special camaraderie. 551513 A 10-11 am M 1/5-2/23 (skip 1/19, 2/16) BCCC, Level 2, Program Room A $30 R-BCCC M | $36 NR O 6 sessions Part 2 3/2 - Up Against It: Like any other profession, beaver trapping held its own occupational hazards, including losing both scalp and life to any one of hundreds of Indian tribes. 3/9 – Let’s Make A Deal: Some mountain men and their native American peers managed an uneasy co-existence, especially when trading goods popped up. 3/16 - The Stuff Of Legends: Some wo called themselves mountain men rose above the hundreds of others plying their trade. 3/23 - John Colter’s Hell: No mountain man survived a more harrowing ordeal than John Colter. 3/30 - Jim & Kit: Almost all tales of the American West in its formative years touch on two mountain man icons: Jim Bridger and Kit Carson. 4/6 – That’s A Wrap: Time marched on and so did public fashion - and the mountain man was no more. 551514 A 10-11 am M 3/2-4/6 BCCC, Level 2, Program Room A $30 R-BCCC M | $36 NR O 6 sessions

ENRICHMENT BEHIND THE SCENES | 50+ YRS Richard Bloom American films have enchanted, captivated, wowed and repelled us almost from the moment that first projector began to roll. Come along with us to explore one singular film each week from all angles - casting, production, filming, bloopers etc. Film clips, lively discussions and differences of opinion are certain to be a part of the mix. More details including movie titles are listed in the program listing on our registration website and are provided to registered participants. 551515 A 11:15 am-12:15 pm M 1/5-2/23 (skip 1/19, 2/16) 551516 A 11:15 am-12:15 pm M 3/2-4/6 BCCC, Level 2, Program Room A $30 R | $36 NR O 6 sessions THE BATTLE OF FORT SUMTER - FIRST SHOTS OF THE CIVIL WAR | 50+ YRS Van Young The first Battle of Fort Sumter began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery fired on the Union garrison. These were the first shots of the war and continued all day, watched by many civilians in a celebratory spirit. The fort had been cut off from its supply line and surrendered the next day. The presentation describes the events and decisions Lincoln had to make during the most desperate of days of his early presidency. This is what started it all. 551520 A 10 am-Noon W 1/21 BCCC, Level 2, Program Room A $5 R-BCCC M | $6 NR WHAT IF THE SOUTH HAD WON THE CIVIL WAR? | 50+ YRS Van Young 1/29 - Part 1 Such an intriguing question. Historians have debated this for decades. If the South had indeed won that war, what would our lives be like today? Would the world or the United States be better off? This first session suggests several key points where certain battles, events and decisions could have altered the end of the civil war. Hear about comparisons of the North versus the South. Lots of facts and scenarios with plenty of time for open discussion. 2/12 - Part 2 How would the Confederate States of America have impacted the North had they won? Would the North and South have “gotten along?” How many “countries” would America be comprised of? What effects would a Southern victory have had on the economy, slavery, international relations, travel and what about the global impact? Would the world, or the United States, had been better off had the South won? Plenty of time for open discussion. 551521 A 2-4 pm Th 1/29, 2/12 BCCC, Level 2, Program Room A $10 R-BCCC M | $12 NR O 2 sessions

OLDER ADULT

parks.uaoh.net | 614-583-5300 | @CityofUAPR

64