Jerome Bridges

Historic Interpreter

With more than 30 years of historic interpreting experience to his credit, Jerome Bridges deeply believes in the admonition that the future can learn from the past. Through his interpretations of African Americans at Jamestown, fighting for both the North and the South during the Civil War, and his portrayal of longtime Jamestown custodian Sam Robinson, Bridges brings to life some little-known historical characters. He has appeared in three feature films including the critically acclaimed, Cold Mountain, and the History Channel’s, Sherman’s March, in which he had a speaking part.

Bridges portrays some of the not-so-remembered men of America's past:  Anthony Johnson, a 17th century indentured African at Jamestown; an 18th century American Revolutionary War soldier; and Gus, a black Confederate soldier. Additional characters include Civil War Private Harrison Woodson of the 122nd Regiment United States Colored Troops, and Sam Robinson the longtime African American Sexton of the Old Tower Church at Jamestown. 

A member of the National Association for Interpretation, Bridges was named Outstanding Volunteer Interpreter of the Year in 2007. Bridges strives to paint an accurate picture of the struggles of the forgotten, but historically important men and their pursuit of freedom.

In February 2008, Bridges presented two new characters, Benjamin Franklin Whitaker, a runaway slave living in the North as a school teacher, and Eddie Jefferson Reese a black reporter assigned to cover the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s.  Both characters were portrayed at Randolph-Macon College in "Black History in Story and Song" as  part of a program to honor Black History Month.

Over the course of two nights, Bridges performed for more than 1,000 theatergoers, receiving standing ovations at the conclusion of each night's performance. The program also included stirring renditions by a gospel group, a church choir and a community chorus. The heartwarming combination of singing in conjunction with Bridges' masterful storytelling left a lasting impression upon all those in attendance. The program's resounding success will ensure its encore presentation in coming years.

Portrayals:

·    Gus, a 19th Century African-American Confederate soldier

·    Anthony Johnson, a 17th Century indentured servant from Africa

·    Pvt. Harrison Woodson, a Union soldier in the 122nd Regiment of the United States Colored Troops

·    Benjamin Franklin Whitaker, a runaway slave living as a free man in the North one year before the start of the Civil War

·        Eddie Jefferson Reese, a reporter for the Chicago Daily Defender, a black-owned newspaper, during the Civil Rights Movement

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