Founding Father “Thomas Jefferson” will be welcomed to the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on July 18 as Bill Barker is scheduled for a historical presentation at 6:30 p.m.
Barker has been portraying Jefferson for the past 34 years and has worked in Colonial Williamsburg, as well as the White House and in Europe. His first appearance was at Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 1984. He first came to Williamsburg in the spring of 1993 and has continued to appear as Jefferson for Colonial Williamsburg, assisting in the development of Jefferson programs for the Foundation.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Bill’s interest in Thomas Jefferson reaches back to his youth. He enjoys researching the American world Jefferson knew with an interest in the role the man played and continues to play in our American identity.
Barker received a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history, from Villanova University and attended the University of Pennsylvania for a brief time. Attracted to the stage at an early age, he became a professional actor, director and producer. He was cast as Jefferson in many different venues including the musical ‘1776.’ He has also been featured as Jefferson in several magazines including Time, People, Atlantic, Philadelphia, Southern Living, Reader’s Digest, and the Colonial Williamsburg Journal.
The Richard H. Thornton Library is located at 210 Main Street in Oxford. For more details, call 919-693-1121 or visit www.granville.lib.nc.us/thornton.