The inaugural president of the United States will vividly and dynamically come to life on Friday, Sept. 16 at 10 am, when Author and Performing Artist Robert Jacob will kick off the Academia Hernando community learning series with “How George Washington Started the Seven Years War.” This will take place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.
Academia Hernando is a not-for-profit lifelong learning organization providing quality instruction and learning experiences for adult students throughout Hernando County, and beyond. Their goal is to inform, educate and inspire adult learners through a series of weekly lectures on a wide variety of topics.
“George Washington is among the most iconic and important figures in the history of the United States,” said Jacob. “While most of us are well-versed in his political and military accomplishments throughout the American Revolution and afterwards, few of us are aware of the vital roles he played during his earlier career.”
Lifetime history enthusiast Robert Jacob has been a living history interpreter and reenactor for more than four decades. This Pittsburgh native and retired Marine earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Duquesne University and a Master’s Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He was researching information regarding the golden age of piracy when he realized that most of the publications on the subject were incorrect; motivating him to write his award-winning publication, “A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy” and “Pirates of the Florida Coast: Truths, Legends, and Myths.”
And while he has presented pirate-centered programs at the Tampa Bay History Center, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and Academia Hernando, he has also appeared on the History Channel’s series “Beyond Oak Island” as an expert on pirates and possesses vast knowledge of other historical figures and topics. “For seven years, between 1756 and 1763, Europe was engulfed in one of the largest wars of the 18th century, known in America as the French & Indian War. This monumental conflict was sparked in the backwoods of what became Western Pennsylvania by a young officer in the Virginia Regiment named George Washington,” he explained. “Although Washington certainly didn’t cause this war, he was definitely a pivotal figure during its inception.”
Jacob reveals that his presentation will answer many unanswered questions regarding Washington’s wartime years. “Learn the truth about Washington’s involvement, his service to the Governor of Virginia and the loss of his first command at Fort Necessity, his courageous service with General Braddock at his defeat, his promotion to commanding officer of all the Virginia forces, and his participation and final victory over the French at Fort Duquesne with General Forbes,” Jacob invited.
Sharon Printz, board member of Academia Hernando, is proud to welcome the return of Robert Jacob to the Academia Hernando stage. “Robert Jacob is a living history reenactor, as well as an author and a historian,” she explained. “He is an excellent presenter with such a passion for history.” Printz looks forward to seeing Jacob’s performance as George Washington. “He brings us the part of history not often recorded,” she said, “And in a most delightful way.”
Indeed, the fall series season of Academia Hernando promises a myriad of presentations focused on the creative presentation of history, the arts and natural life in Florida.
“Jackie Robinson: No.42, A Reluctant Pioneer” will be presented on Friday, Sept. 23 at 10 am, by Rick Kistner; “Women of the Third Reich” will be presented on Friday, Sept. 30, at 10 am, by Anette Isaacs; “Edible Florida & Basic Survival Skills” will be presented on Friday, Oct. 7, at 10 am by Don Philpott; “China Under Communism” will be presented on Friday, Oct. 14 at 10 am by Dr. David Kelly; “Around the World in 100 Minutes” will be presented on Friday, Oct. 21 at 10 am by Joy Katzen-Guthrie; Nan Colton will present “Agatha Christie, Queen of Murder Mysteries” on Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 am; Ross Tarr, M.S. and Wanda Stuart, M.S will present “Storyteller of Old Tampa” on Friday, Nov. 4, at 10 am; and on Friday, Nov. 11, the Mystery Bus Excursion will culminate the series.”We welcome an eclectic group of talented speakers at Academic Hernando,” said Printz. “We offer a variety of topics that are often entertaining, while also inspiring people to do more research about the topics discussed.”
Academia Hernando, formed as a division of learning in retirement of the University of South Florida, was originally entitled “Mondays in Brooksville” and met in the Commission Chambers of the Courthouse. It was Incorporated as a 501(c) 3 domestic non-profit business on November 18, 2010. Academia Hernando hosts lecture series in the spring and fall. All lectures begin at 10 am and last two hours; the subscriber cost is $80 per series. Individual walk-in admissions are also available. Tickets to individual lectures are $15. A Series subscription is $80 and includes all eight lectures and a “Mystery Excursion” for series subscribers only.
