America 250: Revolution & Constitution, Class 4 - The Year of the French - 1778

July 16, 2026
7:00pm - 8:00pm

This lecture program explores 1778 as “The Year of the French,” a pivotal turning point in the American Revolution when France formally entered the war on the side of the American cause. Attendees will examine how French military and naval support, through leaders such as the General Rochambeau, Admiral de Grasse, and the Marquis de Lafayette, reshaped the course of the conflict and strengthened the prospects for American independence. The program will also highlight the broader Franco‑American alliance and the enduring legacy of these key French figures in the Revolutionary story.

See the FULL BROCHURE

Instructor: Robert Kelly graduated from Old Dominion University in 2009 with a B.A. in History and began his career as a Historian at Fort Monroe National Monument in 2011, focusing on African American and Franco-American histories. Since 2020, Robert has been Director of the Gloucester Museum of History, near Yorktown, VA, site of the 1781 Battle of the Hook. He also serves as VP of the American Friends of Lafayette, and co-directed the recent Lafayette Bicentennial. Robert was awarded the 2024 Médaille d'Honneur du Souvenir Français for strengthening U.S.-France relations. He is President of the Fort Monroe Historical Society, President of the Peninsula Museums Forum, and Co-chair of the Gloucester250 Committee. He resides at Fort Monroe, visited by General Lafayette in 1824.

Don't miss our new exhibit: "AMERICA 250: A Republic If We Can Keep It" in the main exhibit area from late June through September, 2026.  Experience period artifacts and an amazing amount of information about our Founding Fathers, Founding Mothers, and Founding Docments.

PLUS--> The New America 250 Spring/Summer Edition of the Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review will explore "Wheeling and the Ohio Valley in the National Story."

- People's University Online-
Thursdays from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm on YouTube Live and Facebook Live

Subscribe to the People's University Youtube channel or like us on the People's University Facebook page or to receive notifications of our upcoming People's U broadcasts. To receive emails about our upcoming programs, visit our News page, click the "Subscribe" button to sign-up for our news blasts or download our free OCPL Connect app from your smartphone's app store. 

ABOUT THE OCPL'S PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY SERIES:

In 1951, the Ohio County Public Library's librarian, Virginia Ebeling, referenced British historian Thomas Carlyle, who said, “the public library is a People’s University,” when she initiated a new adult education program with that name. Miss Ebeling charged the library with the responsibility of reaching “as many people in the community as possible.” In keeping with that tradition of public libraries as sanctuaries of free learning for all people, the Ohio County Public Library revived the series in 2010.

The People’s University features courses (taught by experts in each subject) that enable patrons to pursue their goal of lifelong learning in classic subjects such as history, music appreciation, philosophy, and literature. Patrons may attend as many classes as they wish. There are no tests of other requirements and all programs are free and open to the public. For more information about PU: Fairy Tales for Grown-Ups, EMAIL US,  visit ohiocountylibrary.org or call the library at 304-232-0244.