John LeGear, of Palos Hills , promises that his three-hour presentation about the last 100 years of American history will leave audiences entertained and well-informed.
“I’m not so much in the business of teaching history as I am about promoting history,” he said.
From World War 1 to the election of President Donald Trump, LeGear said his presentation is fast-paced but he doesn’t “have any trouble holding (audiences’) attention.”
His show is coming to South Suburban College’s Oak Forest campus, 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave., on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon.
Another show has been scheduled at South Suburban’s main campus, 15800 S. State St., South Holland, on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
“I’m hoping people just get a kick out of seeing 100 years of American history in three hours,” LeGear said.
The presentation is a mixture of photos and videos with about three photos presented on a projection screen while LeGear lectures before each video clip.
“There’s a rhythm to it that people seem to enjoy,” he said.
Sprinkled in between the nuts and bolts, history lessons are videos and images featuring important events and people in pop culture, such as Elvis Presley and the “Wizard of Oz.”
“I’ve had people comment that the combination of videos and pictures is more stimulating to the mind,” LeGear said.
He said retired school teachers after seeing his show told him this is how history should be taught and urged him to present the show to more high school students, rather than only adults through the continuing education departments at community colleges.
LeGear, 64, is a retired journalist and non-profit organization promoter but hadn’t taught history professionally in the past.
He said he came up with the idea for the history presentation in 2015 while talking to friend about what to do during his semi-retirement years.
LeGear said he always had a passion for history and wanted to teach it and promote it through his program.
He pitched his presentation to all 48 Illinois community colleges last summer and it was accepted by 24 of them.
Since last September, he has been presenting his show at the colleges and at senior centers throughout the state and has more shows scheduled until this September.
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Upcoming shows beyond South Suburban include one at Kankakee Community College on June 26 and Waubonsee Community College in Aurora on Sept. 20.
LeGear said everyone can benefit from seeing his presentation and from learning history, overall, citing that old adage that “those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
He said his show is fact-based and non-partisan and he leaves out the “fake news.”
LeGear said he tries to focus on four basic tenants, which are that we are a nation of laws based on the Constitution and the importance of truth, an independent judicial system and freedom of the press.
Registration for his shows is $10 and tickets can be purchased at the colleges.
Frank Vaisvilas is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.