Past Events

Lord John Dalberg-Acton’s life as a historian, parliamentarian, political and religious controversialist was one animated by the central insight of liberty.

Schedule Appetizers, Beverages, Cash Bar 6:30pm – Doors Open 7:00pm – Lecture presentation with Pamela Alderman and Elise Hilton 8:15pm – Book Signing, View Art

Schedule 6:30 - Doors Open - Reception 7:00 - Presentation Begins Book signing to follow presentation. Appetizers, light desserts and cash bar served. Pricing $20 - Individual $10 - Students

A luncheon with Rev. Robert A. Sirico President, Acton Institute 12:00 p.m. - Lunch followed by an address by Rev. Sirico on

The business of doing good has never been better. “I see multiple colonial governors,” says Ghanaian software entrepreneur Herman Chinery-Hesse of the international development establishment in Africa. “We are held captive by the donor community.” The West has positioned itself as the protagonist of development, giving rise to a vast multi-billion dollar poverty industry — the business of doing good has never been better.

Schedule 6:00 - Doors Open 6:30 - Event Begins Hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

Throughout the world today, freedom is often taken for granted. Yet freedom is the exception rather than the norm in human history. It is also the case that the institutions of freedom, and particular liberties such as religious liberty, civil freedoms, and economic liberty, were consolidated and further developed by Christianity. Knowledge of this past, however, is dangerously absent from many public discussions of freedom, and its relationship to other important values, such as dignity and solidarity. How do we bring knowledge of these truths back into public discussion?

Narrated by Fred Dalton Thompson and directed by award-winning filmmaker Mary Mazzio, Contrarian chronicles the life of philanthropist and legendary investor, John Templeton, who ranks among the top investors of all time, alongside Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch. In fact, long before Buffett and Lynch were on the radar, thousands of people were trekking to Templeton’s annual meetings – making Templeton the first true rock star investor.

The Acton Institute invites you to The Presentation of the 2014 Novak Award to Dr. Oskari Juurikkala who will deliver the Calihan Lecture

Acton Film Series: Did Music change the world? ‘Rockin’ the Wall’ is the compelling story of rock and roll's part in bringing down the Berlin Wall and smashing the Iron Curtain. Told from the perspective of rockers who played at the time, on both sides of the Wall, and from survivors of the communist regimes who recalled the lifeline that rock music provided them, Rockin' the Wall features new interviews and several original songs written exclusively for the film.