Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. Film Screening at the Peoria Women’s Club

Thu Oct 16 2025 at 05:30 pm to 08:30 pm UTC-05:00

301 N.E. Madison Avenue, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61603 | Peoria

Peoria Women's Club - PWC
Publisher/HostPeoria Women's Club - PWC
Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. Film Screening at the Peoria Women\u2019s Club
Advertisement
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! SPACE IS LIMITED!
Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. Film Screening at the Peoria Women’s Club
The Peoria Women’s Club, in partnership with the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC) at Bradley University, is proud to present a rare screening of Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr.’s 1934 documentary Hitler’s Reign of Terror—one of the earliest American films to warn against Nazi Germany. This event marks only the second U.S. showing since Vanderbilt himself visited the Club in 1939, when he spoke on “Important Interviews on the Eve of War.”
As recorded in the Peoria Women’s Club archives, Vanderbilt was celebrated as “one of America’s young cosmopolitan intellectuals whose every day life is full of adventure and straight thinking. He is a seasoned lecturer, a prolific writer, an adventurous globe trotter, and a strong advocator of the principles of democracy.” His 1939 appearance in Peoria connected local audiences directly to world affairs on the eve of war.
After decades of obscurity, Hitler’s Reign of Terror was rediscovered and restored by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 2013. After months of searching by the PWC's own Archive Detectives, the Peoria Women's Club was able to find the remastered documentary in Europe and gained the screening rights from the Royal Film Archive of Belgium. This co-hosted program is a singular opportunity to experience both an important piece of early journalism and a powerful chapter in the Peoria Women’s Club’s own history of civic dialogue. Following the film will be a discussion led by Bradley University History Professor John Williams.
Additional Details
Attendance is limited to 100 guests.
Scholarships are available for local high school and college students to attend free of charge.
Catering & Refreshments
Beverages (cash bar): Chardonnay, Moscato, Pinot Noir, Cabernet; Miller Lite, Mich Ultra, local IPA; Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite
Complimentary: PWC Cosecheras Coffee and water station
Hors d’oeuvres station:
Large charcuterie board featuring seasonal and local fall specialties
Sausage, parmesan stuffed mushrooms or mushroom truffle arancini
Maple-glazed, bacon-wrapped shrimp
Cranberry-infused BBQ meatballs
Pumpkin cheesecake dessert shooters
Chocolate pecan dessert bars
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

301 N.E. Madison Avenue, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61603

Tickets

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Peoria

Chrism Mass
Thu, 16 Oct at 12:00 pm Chrism Mass

Embassy Suites East Peoria

2025 Big Blue Bash! Torch Awards for Business Ethics
Thu, 16 Oct at 05:00 pm 2025 Big Blue Bash! Torch Awards for Business Ethics

The Gateway Building by Childers

8-Week Pottery Series: Thursday
Thu, 16 Oct at 05:15 pm 8-Week Pottery Series: Thursday

203 Harrison St, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61602

Sit, Stay, Trivia
Thu, 16 Oct at 06:30 pm Sit, Stay, Trivia

Alexanders Steak House

Whisper and Shout: Open Mic for Poetry
Thu, 16 Oct at 08:00 pm Whisper and Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

305 SW Water St #2R, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61602

The Big Table Greater Peoria 2025
Fri, 17 Oct at 08:30 am The Big Table Greater Peoria 2025

Four Points by Sheraton Peoria

Free Mammography Day -Peoria
Fri, 17 Oct at 09:00 am Free Mammography Day -Peoria

Carle Health Methodist Diagnostic Center, 112 NE Crescent Ave., Peoria, IL

Free Mammography Day -Carle Health Proctor Hospital
Fri, 17 Oct at 09:00 am Free Mammography Day -Carle Health Proctor Hospital

Carle Health Proctor Hospital, 5409 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria.

Bradley Homecoming - Varsity Club
Fri, 17 Oct at 09:00 am Bradley Homecoming - Varsity Club

1501 W Bradley Ave, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61625

Peoria is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Peoria Events