Bard High School Early College is proud to announce that Dr. Betsy Wood has been invited to deliver a public lecture at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum in Savannah, Georgia, on October 8, 2026.

Drawing on research from her acclaimed book, Upon the Altar of Work: Child Labor and the Rise of a New American Sectionalism, Dr. Wood will present “A House Divided by the Loom: The Forgotten Sectional War Over American Child Labor.” The lecture is part of the museum's newly launched labor history lecture series, an initiative designed to expand public engagement with scholarship on work, labor, and social change. The ticketed event will include a lecture, audience discussion, and reception.

This distinguished invitation reflects the impact of Dr. Wood's scholarship beyond the classroom and her growing reputation as a public historian. Through her research, writing, and public engagement, Dr. Wood has brought new attention to the role of child labor in shaping modern American politics and society, helping audiences both within and beyond academia better understand the historical roots of contemporary debates about labor, government, and regional identity. Hosted at one of Savannah's most significant historic sites, the program highlights the important role historians play in bringing academic scholarship to broader audiences. Dr. Wood's invitation underscores the value of public-facing humanities research and reflects the growing recognition of her contributions to both historical scholarship and public education. We congratulate Dr. Wood on this prestigious invitation and look forward to her continued contributions to scholarship, public history, and civic engagement.