Living History – Taking history lessons to a new dimension
Arnett & Associates is the only accredited speakers bureau with a living history division. What makes our living history interpreters different? They are scholars, totally committed to the accuracy and authenticity of their character and the information they convey. Whether you are looking for George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain or Abraham Lincoln, you can be assured that the living history interpreter we send is the best there is…. anywhere. We stake our reputation on it. That is why when an accurate and believable portrayal is needed, whether it is Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech at St. John’s Church, the History Channel, A&E Biography or national Geographic, the Queen’s visit or Jamestown’s 400th, you will see our interpreters front and center.
Who Cares About History? - Read the article by: Bentley Boyd
Arnett & Associates is Proud to Offer the Best in Living History Experiences
For years, Arnett & Associates founder and President Patsy Arnett cultivated a love of history and contemplated working on a way to provide first class educational entertainment to meeting and event clients around the world. In February of 2007, her idea blossomed into fruition and the Living History division of Arnett & Associates was established, becoming the exclusive marketing agency for the cream of the crop in living history interpreters.
"Historical interpreters bring life and pizzazz to educational institutions and organizational training programs through energy and enthusiasm. Their novelty catches the imagination of the participants and implants lasting concepts. They bring the "Wow" factor sought by those in charge of teaching and training and those participating."
Dr. Robert R. Trumble,
Professor and past Dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business
As public interest in history and tradition continue to grow, our historic interpreters have been busier than ever before. Having scoured the country for nothing but the best in historians and scholars, Arnett & Associates now offers clients unprecedented access to a huge array of historic interpreters, speakers and performers. We strive to collaborate with our clients to provide exactly the right mix of history, humor and educational value for any budget. Whether it is an educational setting, a meeting, or a convention, the Living History division of Arnett & Associates will delight with customized programs for all types of audiences.
What is the difference between an historic interpreter and an historic re-enactor?
The vast majority of our Living History Interpreters are historic scholars– men and women whose personal scholarship on specific historical figures plays heavily into their portrayals. These typically are not generic characters from a certain time period, and it is not accurate or useful to lump re-enactors and professional living history character portrayals together or to use the terms interchangeably. They are not the same thing. However, there are similarities between re-enactors and professional living history speakers, such as dressing in period clothing and illustrating history to modern audiences. Professional living history interpreters are experts on specific people from history. Historical re-enactors are generally hobbyists, some with extensive knowledge and ability, while professional living history character portrayers are historical scholars who can speak at length on the figure they are portraying, also providing essential and accurate context with their presentations. Their knowledge is vast, as they have spent years learning the intricacies of their characters and the historical context within which they lived. For school groups, our historical interpreters can incorporate SOLs into their living history presentations, making learning history fun and memorable.
Living History Portrayals
Johnny Appleseed Capt. Gabriel Archer James P. Beckwourth Hugh Grigsby Blaire Corree Ten Boom Edwin Booth William Bradford Omar N. Bradley Sir Edward Bromley Sir Francis Bryan William Bryan Marye Thorowgood Bucke John Bunyan Lewis Carroll Pvt. Joseph Carter Peter Cartwright Dr. George Washington Carver Aquilla Chase Samuel Chase William Sebert Chase Thomas Cheatham Dick Cheney William Claiborne, Esq. William Clark John Clarke Samuel Clemens 'Buffalo Bill' Cody Lord Cornwallis Oliver Cromwell Pierre Cruzatt D'Artagnan (3 Musketeers) Sir Thomas Dale LTG Benjimin O. Davis President Jefferson Davis Robert Davies Charles Dickens John Dods David DuChasse Alexander Dumas Thaddeus Dunkley Louis LeBeque DuPortail Wyatt Earp Thomas Edison Toby Felgate W.C. Fields Lt. George Finley John Finch Henry D. Flipper George Fox St. Francis of Assisi Ben Franklin Theophile Gautier Charles Goodnight Captain Bartholomew Gosnold Nicholas Green Lord Halifax Captain Ralph Hamor of London Oliver Hardy
| Dinyus Harvie Captain Thomas Harris William Henry Harrison Patrick Henry Henry II of England Alfred Hitchcock John Howard (Plymouth Settler) Reverend Hunt King James I/VI Thomas Jefferson Anthony Johnson Stonewall Jackson Capt. John Paul Jones Dr. Percy Julian William Kemp Ann Burras Layden General Robert E. Lee Richard Henry Lee C.S. Lewis Capt. Meriwether Lewis Douglas MacArthur James Madison Chief Justice John Marshall William Marshall George Mason Capt. Joseph Richard Manson Lorenzo de Medici George Brinton McClellan Robert Mills James Monroe Sir Thomas Moore Elizabeth Morecock Matthew Morton John Murray (Earl of Dunmore) Beau Nash William Nelson Captain Christopher Newport Robert Carter Nicholas St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) St. Patrick George S. Patton George T. Peers John 'Black Jack' Pershing Pvt. Robert Bolling Pickett John Pierce Mistress Joan Pierce Pocahontas Alyce Proctor Alexandre Puskin Sir Walter Raleigh Captain John Ratcliff Mary Read Rosie the Riveter Robert Rogers John Rolfe Franklin D. Roosevelt President Theodore Roosevelt Silas (Indentured Servant)
| William Shakespeare George Bernard Shaw Captain E.J. Smith Jedediah Strong Smith Captain John Smith Sir Henry Stanley Edward Steichen Rachel Stanton John Stone Alexander Sutherland Colonel Thomas Swann John Tazwell, Esq. Lady Temperance Edward John Trelawney Mark Twain President John Tyler William Wallace Samuel Warwick Booker T. Washington George Washington Martha Washington Dr. Watson John Wesley Andrew White, S.J. Woodrow Wilson Edward Maria Wingfield Private Harrison Woodson Sir Evelyn Wrench Frank Lloyd Wright York (Willliam Clark's slave) Colonel Charles Young
Other Native Virginia Indians Ceremonial Dancers Native Virginia Indians Ceremonial Drummers 1600's Misc. Commoners, Proprietors and Musicians 1700's Misc. Doctors, Proprietors and Musicians 17th and 18th Century Anglican Religion 1800’s Misc. Doctors, Proprietors Late 18th and Early 19th C. VA Politics and Richmond 19th Century Episcopal Missionaries 17th-19th Century Cooking demonstrations Civil War Re-enactors & Civil War Re-enactments Golden Age Piracy Cavalrymen Fife and Drums Minstrels and Period Musicians Bagpipers
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Inspiration from Thomas Jefferson:
"Light and liberty go together. Darkness provides ignorance and fear."
"If people would think for themselves and speak what they think, they would find they have more in common than they would otherwise believe."
"Enlightenment of man: keeping alive the flames of enlightenment."
"I enjoy the dreams of the future better than the history of the past."
"Can self-government be maintained?"
"The earth belongs to the living generation."
When a big event comes up on your calendar, select a partner that delivers the essential missing piece to ensure a smashing success. Arnett &Associates, the only accredited source for the best in living history.
Historical Timelines
Native Americans & Ceremonial Dancers
Civil War and Revolutionary Re-enactors Re-enactments
Period Musicians, including:
Fife and Drums
Minstrels
Bagpipers