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

A Suit Of Clothes For Puss: You Have To See This!

Photo From: Colonial Williamsburg

Okay. . .This is beyond cute. . .I happened upon it and wanted to share because I know several feline friends who wear articles of clothing here in Ste. Genevieve every now and then. . .How handsome would they look in these?

Photo From: Colonial Williamsburg

Here's the link where you can read all about it:

A SUIT OF CLOTHES FOR PUSS

And I ask you. . .PLEASE don't tell my own

MR. B. J. LASHAY. . .

I'm thinking one for his birthday. . .

or Christmas. 

As much as he loves putting on his bow tie, 

(he really does), 

He would be "hounding me" to get one made for him

right this minute. . .

He is so spoiled. . .(grin)

A Brief Comparison of French and British Colony Trade

Sunday Shoes and Tricorns

Here's the thing. . .Many in present-day Ste. Genevieve do not like to be compared to Virginia's restored town of Colonial Williamsburg. . .Just as the 18th century French and English in North America found themselves at odds with each other, it sometimes seems that the age-old battle is still being fought. But for many of us schooled in American history and who find our roots mostly from the British Isles, it's the only reference we have of North American colonies, and we all have to start somewhere. I hope that I will become as well informed about the Colonial French as I am the English, so bear with me on this journey.

In truth, Ste. Genevieve history in many ways is not the same as Williamsburg, VA, at least in the first half or so of the 18th century, but I enjoy finding the similarities and differences in comparing the two. For example, both the English and French came to the New World with the idea of enriching their mother countries. England started colonizing in order to build an empire and keep up in the race with France. Both English and French colonies were many and they each prospered on matters of business and trade. They also shared a dislike of each other, which is why the French sided with the Patriots in the American Revolution.

The major difference in these colonies of North America was how the governments were set up, thus shaping the everyday life of the inhabitants. Royal charters were given to British colonists, who experienced much freedom in government and economics. The monarchy allowed them to work fairly independently. On the other hand, the colonist of New France were sent to North America as servants of the Crown, under sovereign rule in all ways.

Glassware, Hand-blown

The first French colonies were established as trading posts, ruled by the Crown and opened mainly to trade for furs with the Native Americans. The trading post existed for the Monarchy and the owners were at his mercy. The English were better developed economically for individuals. Shops were owned and operated by merchants, who could buy goods directly from England, Europe, and Asia through British ports. The French colonies stocked their trading posts with items sent to them from the King's warehouses. Those warehouses might have the same goods as the English, but the French trading posts were stocked with goods only from the Crown's warehouse. 

"The economy of eighteenth and early nineteenth century Ste. Genevieve was largely agricultural. Ste. Genevieve's commercial contacts were maintained largely through New Orleans and were, according to Ekberg, dominated by the mercantile policies of France and Spain. The community exported raw materials and imported finished products. Looms and weavers, for example, were not present in the town, because it was the colonial community's obligation to purchase manufactured cloth from the mother country." NRHP (NRS) Nomination Form 2002

When the Spanish took over the Louisiana Territory from 1763-1802, nothing much changed. They did not try to colonize it with people from Spain. The French Creoles were to swear allegiance to the Spanish King and simply continued working. Their trading posts were stocked by a Board of Trade and regulations were enforced by the Spanish military. They did, however, encourage friendly Native Americans to move into the territory, as well as Anglo-Americans, mostly from Tennessee and Kentucky after the War of Independence. This brought several differences in lifestyle, as well as consumer demands. 

Menard and Valle Store, Ste. Genevieve

Pelts at the Menard and Valle Store, Ste. Genevieve

Menard and Valle Store, Ste. Genevieve

Felted Wool Capes

The big commercial change came to this area when Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory for the United States in 1803. Anglo-Americans had already begun to settle in the Spanish colonies in the second half of the 18th century, but now more and more arrived to settle the newest part of America. Agricultural products rose in numbers. Being mostly farmers, they sent more and more boatloads of agricultural goods from their crops to New Orleans, the boats returning filled with goods and domestic needs requested by the new inhabitants. After 1803, merchants were allowed to open stores stocked with items of their choice and trading posts were no longer required to stay within the confines of the Crown.

Leather Trunks were popular in the Colonies of Britain, France, and Spain

Was Ste. Genevieve quite different from Williamsburg, VA in its economy?  It depends on the year and who owned the Louisiana Territory at the time--France, Spain or the United States. While Williamsburg had been British for almost 200 years before their independence, the people of Ste. Genevieve lived under several flags over 100 years or so, not to mention the significant numbers of Germans who arrived in the early 19th century, stirring the melting pot even more. The key to understanding when listening and/or reading about Ste. Genevieve's history is knowing the time period referred to. Then the facts fall in place.

Blue and White English Ware

Handmade Journals

Glassware, Tinware and Trivets were found in all colonies

Canteens and Baskets

Shrub Glasses and Salt-glaze Pottery, Prentis Store, Colonial Williamsburg

Powder Horns and English Games

As I have said before, my fascination with the French Colonial inhabitants resides in how my own ancestor's lifestyles changed when they arrived about 1792, the family being rooted in a British background for 100 years in the English colonies. No strangers to pioneering new land, they were subjected to the French Colonial lifestyles once they crossed the Mississippi River. How did it change their lives? What concessions did they have to make? Did they sneak in goods and supplies that they were familiar with? I think that as it is now, it was so then. They came with English wares and customs but once in a new country, adjustments were made--on both sides. My direct family line settled in the New Madrid territory, where they swore allegiance to Spain but the population was about half Creoles and half Anglo-Americans. Need I say more?