I regularly present to public, professional, and academic audiences on history, preparedness, and place. My talks draw on archival research, site visits, and visual material, often using “then and now” comparisons to explore how past crises continue to shape the present.

Upcoming Talks

  • March 2026 — American Heritage Museum, Stow, Massachusetts

  • April 2026 — Greenfield Community College Senior Symposium

  • May 2026 — Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, guest lecture

(This list is updated periodically.)

Selected Recent Talks & Appearances

  • Cold War Massachusetts: Preparedness Hidden in Plain Sight — Public lecture, Holyoke Public Library

  • Fires, Floods, and the Long History of Preparedness in Western Massachusetts — GCC Senior Symposium

  • Fire History and the Evolution of Practice — Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

Additional recent venues include libraries, museums, historical societies, professional conferences, and college classrooms across Massachusetts and New England.

Media & Recordings

Recordings and selected materials from talks may be available online or upon request. Video excerpts and site-based explorations are also in development as part of future public history and digital projects.

Hosting a Talk

If you’re interested in hosting a lecture, walk, panel discussion, or class visit, I’d be glad to hear from you.

Email: josh.shanley@gmail.com