Think & Drink: Distilling the Alchemy: The Research & Finding that Shaped Linda Hall Library’s New Exhibit
March 5 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST
Alchemy was the medieval forerunner of chemistry and speculative philosophy, based on the supposed transformation of matter. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, alchemists often got a bad rap for their obsession with trying to turn base metals into gold, but in fact true alchemy was concerned with a far loftier ideal — that of finding a “universal elixir” that could cure all diseases and overcome death.
Dr. Eric Dorfman, President and CEO of Linda Hall Library, will host this Think & Drink. He will explore the mysterious pseudo-science of alchemy which will be the subject of the Library’s new upcoming exhibit.
Don’t miss this free Think & Drink lecture which is open to all ESU members and the public, but registration is required. You will also receive at least one reminder email about the event when you register.
When: Thursday, March 5, 2026, 6:00 pm
Location: Casual Animal Brewing, 1721-1725 McGee Street Kansas City, MO
Tickets: Admission is free but registration is required.
About Dr. Eric Dorfman
Dr. Eric Dorfman is President and CEO of Linda Hall Library. Prior to his current role, Eric was a Research Professor at North Carolina State University and the CEO of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Before this, he was Director of Carnegie Museum of Natural History and an adjunct professor at University of Pittsburgh. In both Pittsburgh and Raleigh, he sat on the executive boards of the cities’ respective tourism agencies. Eric lived for many years in New Zealand, where he was Director of Whanganui Regional Museum and lectured in Museums Studies at the Victoria University of Wellington.
He earned his doctorate from The University of Sydney on scale-dependent habitat use of waterbirds in eastern and central Australia. Prior to this, he completed a master’s degree at Moss Landing Marine Laboratory through California State University, San José, studying the behavioral ecology harbor porpoises in Monterey Bay. He earned a degree in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution from the University of California, San Diego.
Eric is author of five popular books on New Zealand natural history, climate change, and museology, as well as scholarly papers on museum education, public programming, Egyptology and the ecology of wetland birds. His most recent book is The Future of Natural History Museums (Routledge 2018). He is also on the editorial board of Museum Worlds: Advances in Research.
Eric is a frequent public speaker and presenter. His most recent podcast, Love Nature, was ranked by listenership in the top 10% of podcasts worldwide. He is due to be co-presenting a new podcast through the Linda Hall, to launch later this year.
About Think & Drink Lecture Series:
Think & Drink is an exciting new kind of event that combines educational topics with social gatherings. This one-hour lecture program was launched in July of 2025 by Casual Animal Brewing Company, a microbrewery in the East Crossroads area, south of downtown Kansas City. The lectures are held on the first and third Thursday of every month and bring together experts, academics, and curious minds for evening talks on topics that generate fresh perspectives, ideas, and discussion. No topic is off the table.