A Friend From The Past: Bill Barker As Thomas Jefferson

 

Why should Ste. Genevieve be interested in Thomas Jefferson? Well, if you'll remember your history, it was Thomas Jefferson who purchased all of Louisiana from the French in 1803 and Colonial France became a vast part of the United States. . .I can't say that I knew much more about Jefferson than that and the fact that he had a hand in the Declaration of Independence. . .not until I started visiting and later working at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. . .It was there that Thomas Jefferson came alive for me.

If you have never seen Bill Barker interpreting this historic figure, you have missed a treat. . .Not only does he favor the Founding Father in looks, but Bill IS Thomas Jefferson. 

John first met Bill at Colonial Williamsburg many years before when he was attempting to become an interpreter himself at CW. . .Bill encouraged him to try out for the honor of interpreting Patrick Henry and gave him quite a few pointers. . .It was John's first attempt, and one he did quite well. . .He came in second out of many others who auditioned. . .Through the years, Bill was always encouraging John to do more and more. . .Because of that encouragement, John went on to become an interpreter at the Greenhow Store, a colonial auctioneer, nightly storyteller, reenactor for the British occupation, all for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. . .Watching Bill always in the first person of Thomas Jefferson, John took up some of the same habits. . .He, too, enjoyed first person roles that added so much more entertainment for the crowd. . .It wasn't beyond him to throw the "loo water" out the window of the Greenhow (actually weak tea), while chastising a carriage driver to move his horses away from the window. . .They were causing flies to swarm inside the Greenhow. . .Or the day a five year old asked John how old he was, to which John quickly replied over his glasses, "250 years, son." The child was speechless. 

John was often seen in CW's PBS electronic classroom programs, one of which was entitled "Ready Money." He also appeared in the BBC film "Soldiers At Arms" and other BBC projects. He had the opportunity to appear in several movies, parts of which were filmed locally in the Williamsburg area. . ."Cold Mountain", "Gods and Generals", "The New World". . .Each time that John took these leaps in his career, Bill was forever encouraging him on. . .It is not often that a talented, well-known actor will take the time to help others in their pursuit of a career. . .Bill did. . .and John to this day is forever grateful. . .for the encouragement, the fine example he set, and the friendship so willingly given. . .

John and I left Colonial Williamsburg in 2005. . .but each time we returned for a visit, we made it a point to catch up with "Mr. Jefferson". . .For 26 years, Jefferson was the most popular of all the Founding Fathers interpreted at CW. . .Along with devouring everything written about the man, Bill's constant research made the historic character of Thomas Jefferson do nothing less than come to life.

But. . .as with all of us. . .we age. . . grow older. . .When Bill retired from his role at Colonial Williamsburg, after introducing and assisting a younger version of himself to take on the character of Thomas Jefferson, we all were very sad to hear the news. . .Those were huge shoes to fill, for there surely could never be a greater interpretation of the 3rd United States President. . .Was Bill's Thomas Jefferson over?

Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson-From: Monticello.org

Then in 2019, news arrived from Jefferson's Monticello home in Virginia. . ."Veteran historical actor-interpreter, Bill Barker is widely recognized as the nation's foremost interpreter of Thomas Jefferson. Now, after portraying Thomas Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg for the last 26 years, Barker will join the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello starting on June 14.

Portraying Thomas Jefferson-in all his genius and complexity-is a daunting challenge, yet Bill Barker has succeeded where some of Hollywood's finest have failed," said Monticello President Leslie Greene Bowman. "Bill's knowledge, experience, and passion for his subject are unparalleled. We are proud that he will bring Thomas Jefferson home to enliven and deepen the experience of our visitors with Jefferson's immense contributions to the new nation. . ."

So Bill is still wowing the crowds. . .teaching history to the many. . .and enjoying his so-called retirement. . .as well as being a continuing inspiration to us both. . .

WELL DONE, BILL. . .I mean, PRESIDENT JEFFERSON. . .

Visit: MONTICELLO.ORG