About Carson Hudson, Jr :

Carson’s knowledge and intellect allow him to portray almost any Virginia commoner from 1607 to 1899.  He specializes in portraying the common man, allowing audiences to connect with the life of a regular citizen from different eras in time.  His dedication to authentic accuracy makes his portrayals real, only centuries years removed.  His speaking topics include Jamestown, Piracy, Colonial Witchcraft, the Civil War, Powhatan Indian Wars and the History of the Banjo, to name a few.  He has an outstanding ability to connect with his audience, making history simple and relevant to modern audiences, so that it is a meaningful and memorable experience. 

In 1984, Carson worked at a museum and was asked to create a living history division.  He soon discovered that people claimed to have “authentic period shows” but were using modern-day equipment like guitars, puppets and techniques.  With a background in history, contemporary theater and puppetry, and youthful experience in street busking, Carson began to research what people had really seen and heard in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.  He acquired new (and sometimes odd) talents along the way, learning modern circus skill, sideshow secrets, and traditional performance practices, regressing his performance skills into the past.  He built his own puppets and recreated an Old Time Medicine Show. Today Carson, with a cast of characters, performs Dr. Murdock’s Traveling Medicine Show, all over the United States and is the owner and artistic director of Historical Diversions. He is also the program manager for Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and currently works as an adjunct professor in history for Rappahannock Community College and as an instructor with College of William and Mary Elderhostel Program. 

Carson has researched, wrote, directed, and performed in over a score of successful productions and programs for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, authoring two books, and numerous screenplays for educational outreach.