Together, Shorto and Mokriski will explore why storytelling matters in history: how restoring individual voices deepens our understanding of the past, invites empathy, and helps us recognize the complexity of the American experiment. The evening will also consider how approaches like Shorto’s align with student-led historical work at the Troutbeck Symposium and the broader work of civic learning happening in our region.

Russell Shorto is director of the New Amsterdam Project at the New-York Historical Society and senior scholar at the New Netherland Institute. He is the author of eight books of narrative history, including the national bestseller The Island at the Center of the World.

Rhonan Mokriski has taught at Salisbury School since 1996 and is a co-founder of the Troutbeck Symposium. He was named the 2024 Gilder Lehrman Connecticut History Teacher of the Year for his innovative, student-centered approach to teaching history.

Presented in partnership with the Salisbury Association, the Troutbeck Symposium, and the Scoville Memorial Library, in connection with Salisbury Commemoration 250 and CT 250.

Please join us for dinner following the talk. View the dinner menu and make a reservation here.