|
|
 |
|
|
The Fireside Chats are presented annually in February by
The Fort Boonesborough Foundation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maggie Delaney brings her emotional story to The 2013 Chats
|
|
|
|
|
Maggie Delaney portrayed by Carol Jarboe received rave reviews. It was her third performance at the Fireside Chats - having been there in 2009 and 2010. Jarboe has done extensive research into indentured servitude and has compiled them into a dynamic first person portrayal in which “Maggie Delaney” tells the story (at the insistence of her master- Parson John) of her life, from leaving her home in Ireland and boarding the ship for the colonies. She and her husband and 3 children signed indenture papers for their passage since they could no longer pay the inflated rents in Ireland.
It was in Maggie’s words “no gentle journey” being sold into virtual slavery and having no control over her life.
|
|
|
|
Comments from our Visitors:
|
|
|
|
“We have attended many historical programs, but Maggie, the Indentured Servant, had to be the best! “
“ We want to tell you Saturday night was the best program we have ever seen, the lady was wonderful. Thank you for all you do in getting these programs up...”
|
|
|
|
Tecumseh and The Prophet
|
|
|
|
The 2nd February Chat on February 16, took visitors on a time travel through the late eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century. The Shawnee Indian, Tecumseh grew to manhood during the Indian wars following the American Revolution. Born about 1768 - he traveled extensively through the Ohio territory where he was born, south to the Cherokee land in Tennessee, west to Missouri and north into Canada.
Michael Fields who portrayed Tecumseh and Randy Bales as his brother The Prophet gave the audience a glimpse into their lives. The Indian lands were constantly being diminished by the new American government and by about 1803 Tecumseh was active in building a confederation of all Indian tribes. His brother was actively dealing with the more spiritual aspects of Indian culture - encouraging his followers to return to the old ways.
|
|
|
|
Pvt William Greathouse brings a fresh face to The Fireside Chats
|
|
|
|
Fireside Chats for February 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional Info from 2012 Chats
|
|
|
|
|
Foundation has 4 Successful
February Fireside Chats for 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 2010 Fireside Chats
|
|
|
|
“The chats were great this year, and the weather was kind to us.” Those were the overall comments of Foundation member Elizabeth Chalfant. Each Saturday night in February a Guest Speaker and a meal of “Frontier Fare” are served before an open fire in the Fort Boonesborough Blockhouse. All of the 2010 speakers have appeared at the chats in past years but that had no effect on the number of visitors that attended. Two of the chats sold out weeks before the event.
|
|
|
|
Daniel Boone Kicks off the Fireside Chats
|
|
|
|
The 2010 series of Fireside Chats at the fort got off to a great start Saturday evening February 7, when Daniel Boone, portrayed by Scott New, greeted a “group of newly arrived settlers” to Kentucky. This Boone presentation is a new program that Scott has developed, which relates many of Boones experiences in what has since become Kentucky, up to about the time that he was living at Boone Station. The program included much information about the capture of the salt makers, Boones captivity and relationship with Blackfish, and the 1778 “Great Siege of Boonesborough”. As always the first person character interpretation was followed by a question and answer session to allow questions raised in the minds of those in attendance to be answered by the presenter.
|
|
|
|
Maggie Delaney Packs the House
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On February 13, 2010 the presentation of Maggie Delaney - The Life of an 18th Century Indentured Servant - Portrayed by Carol Jarboe broke all attendance records for The Fireside Chats. Even though the event was sold out two weeks prior to the date, 114 people managed to hear an outstanding performance by Jarboe.
The audience was a mix of regular “Chat goers” and people that specifically wanted to hear “Maggie Delaney.” And they were rewarded with an incredible performance. Carol and Frank Jarboe who portray Maggie and Parson John are regulars to Fort Boonesborough. And Carol first premiered this first person performance at the 2009 chats.To see a newsreel clip and read more about it Click Here.
|
|
|
|
Colonel William Whitley visits
Fort Boonesborough
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colonel William Whitley was an important figure in early Kentucky. Although a little less known than some of the other early settlers Whitley played a vital role in settling the state. A reknowned Indian fighter In a powerful performance Matt Bryant portrayed William Whiley at the third February Fireside Chat. Whitley buil the first brick house in Kentucky “Sportsman Hill” and it was soon dubbed “The Guardian of the Wilderness Road”
For approximately 20 years after he came to Kentucky, Whitley was engaged in warfare with the Indians. In 1813, in his 65th year, he volunteered with the Kentucky Militia under Governor Shelby and fell in the decisive and victorious Battle of the Thames.
|
|
|
|
Governor Isaac Shelby Served Kentucky Well
|
|
|
|
Few men in early Kentucky served their state as well as Isaac Shelby. A soldier, a statesman, a governor (twice) and a farmer. And according to perennial favorite historic interpreter, Mel Hankla, being a farmer was what Shelby desired most. Although Hankla portrays two other historic figures, Simon Kenton and George Rogers Clark for The Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua, he admits that bringing Shelby to life had a lot to do with Shelby being a personal hero.
And at the performance of Shelby at the final 2010 Fort Boonesborough fireside chat Hankla’s portrayal resounded with that personal feeling for Isaac Shelby. “I have really honed this performance of Shelby” said Hankla. “For as the bicentennial of The War of 1812 approaches, people who have little knowledge of Isaac Shelby will be hearing more about the statesman who heard the call of his state and came back to public life both as governor and to lead Kentucky’s troops into battle in that war.” And bringing Shelby to the forefront educates all of us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fireside Chat February 2, 2008 A Musical Evening with E. L. Kurtz
Fireside Chat February 9, 2008 Esther Whitley portrayed by Melanie Kuntz
Fireside Chat February 16, 2008 Abraham Lincoln portrayed by Jim Sayre*
Fireside Chat February 23, 2008 Atta Kul Kulla - The Little Carpenter - Portrayed by Rob Rambo*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fireside Chat January 27, 2007 Daniel Boone portrayed by Steven Caudill
Fireside Chat February 3, 2007 William Whitley portrayed by Matt Bryant
Fireside Chat February 10, 2007 General George Rogers Clark portrayed by Mel Hankla*
Fireside Chat February 17, 2007 Ann McGinty portrayed by Menanie Kuntz
Fireside Chat February 24, 2007 Govenor Isaac Shelby portrayed by Mel Hankla
|
|
|
|
|
* These Characters appear as part of The Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua Series
|
|
|
|
The original Fort Boonesborough was built by Daniel Boone and his men in 1775
|
|
|
|
All material contained in this site is © 2006 -2013 Fort Boonesborough
|
|
|
 |
|
