History of the American Gilded Age (1865-1900)

Dates: 4/7/2026-5/12/2026

Time: Tuesday, 6:30-7:50 PM

Location: Middleburg Heights Community Church 7165 Big Creek Pkwy Middleburg Heights, OH 44130

Room: Fellowship Hall 1 and 2

Instructor: Doug Imhoff

Class #: S26-24

In this class, students explore the “Gilded Age,” a time of rapid industrialization and economic growth in the United States. Lessons focus on how new industries, big businesses and wealthy industrialists shaped society and politics. Students also examine the lives of workers, immigrants and farmers to understand the challenges faced during this period. Special topics also discussed will include: the reconstruction of the South, women’s suffrage, temperance unions and prohibition, immigration and the labor union movement. Primary sources (including documentary videos), discussions, and activities will help students analyze both the progress and problems of this era. By the end of the class, students can explain why the Gilded Age was marked by both opportunity and inequality.

Register

Registration opens on 3/8/2026 at 9 am

Clicking Register will take you to our third-party class registration site.

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Your Instructor

Doug Imhoff earned both a BA and MBA at Baldwin Wallace University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CPF) and worked as an internal auditor in various management positions for several companies in the Cleveland area. In addition, he has a lifelong interest in American and World history, government and politics.