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LIBRARY PRESENTATIONS
Presentations are designed to
meet your needs in time length and content.
Time: 10 - 60 minutes (Question and Answer time can follow)
Anne’s passion
for living history is contagious—she has fun and so does the audience. When
she says she loves what she’s doing, the usual response is, “That’s
obvious!”
As a
character interpreter, Anne uses information from historical research,
instead of a script. The intensity increases as the audience’s perception of
her fades and a person from the past takes her place. Children’s faces light
up as they realize that people in history books were real and had problems
similar to ours.
CHILDREN
Action
on the High Seas
An old sailor spins tales of a cabin boy’s life. Learn what
happens when the boy disobeys. Explore the innermost workings of a French
ship in the 1700's. Can you even begin to guess what secrets and treasures
lay hidden deep within a sailor's sea trunk? As you climb high aloft to
loosen the sails, you may spot pirates about to attack the ship! But a cabin
boy's life isn't all work—there are singsongs during the dogwatch (early
evening) and sea yarns told by sailors.
“Your presentation was very interesting and informative. We
always learn a lot.”
Nancy Fitzgerald, Librarian
Bay Minette Public Library
Bay Minette, AL
Neighbors to the Rescue
(Florida Libraries)
Ages 3-8:
Sail with the LaSalle family from
France to Pensacola in 1701. Madeline LaSalle lets you see and touch
artifacts used on the ship, and you will feel the fear as pirates attack.
She tells funny stories about her three sons; the man with a silver nose who
loved chocolate; and buffalo hunting. Experience Christmas at Santa Maria de
Galve (Pensacola). The French from the ships, the Spanish men at the fort,
and Indians help each other.
“I
liked the roach dance!”
(Most quoted response—Kindergarten-adults)
Ages 9-12: Madeline LaSalle
weaves early Florida history into her experiences with pirates, alligator
attacks, and bone-pickers. Students see and touch artifacts as she tells of
the voyage from France to Pensacola in 1701. She tells funny stories about
her three sons; the man with a silver nose who loved chocolate; and buffalo
hunting. She vividly describes hair-raising experiences of a teenage cabin
boy who lived in Indian villages (gore appropriate for age levels).
“The program was funny!”
“The thing that made sparks was cool!”
Fourth grade students, Springfield, FL
Adventures of Alabama’s
First French Family
Experience thrills and fears with Nicolas, Simon,
and Francois as they travel from France to the new land of La Louisiane.
Storms, pirate attacks, and alligators will keep you on the edge of your
seat. The boys discover that neighbors have to help each other, even if they
speak different languages and have different customs.
Life in the
Williamsburg Gaol (Jail)
John Pelham’s family lived in the Williamsburg gaol. His
father, Peter, was keeper of the jail, as well as church organist and
clerk at the Capitol across the street. John knew many people who came
to Williamsburg—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry.
Action and excitement drew him like a magnet, as he kept up with all the
latest happenings in Virginia. His mother, Ann Pelham, tells you all
about his escapades.
(Almost a hundred years later, a relative also named John, was a Civil
War hero from Alabama. General Robert E. Lee called him “The Gallant
Pelham” because of his bravery.) |
Click To Enlarge
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My
Cousin, Thomas Jefferson
Betty Randolph, a leading lady of Colonial Williamsburg,
tells interesting and funny stories about Thomas Jefferson. She also
explains the sad events in Philadelphia that put him in a position to write
the Declaration of Independence.
My
Husband, George Washington
Martha Washington tells exciting and funny stories
about her life with George.
The Spy Glass
Using the book, The Spy Glass, by Richard Paul Evans, Anne Dalton
tells a story about a spyglass that enables the viewer to see what might be—
instead of what is. Imagination is ignited by the spark of faith, and with
faith comes hope and change. By sharing a vision and inspiring people to
work together, goals can be achieved that benefit individuals,
communities—even the whole world. The story is adapted to inspire visions
for local situations.
Strange and Scary
Happenings
Old Jeffrey
Susanna
Wesley tells of her home being invaded by a ghost in 1716. Samuel and
Susanna didn’t believe in such things, but they couldn’t ignore the loud
groans, stamping of feet, the sound of breaking bottles, and knocks.
Sometimes the house shook from top to bottom. “Old Jeffrey” as the children
called the ghost, made it very plain that he didn’t like Rev. Wesley, but
little Hetty was his favorite family member.
Pegues Ghost
Imagine being
stalked by a large ball of light!
Matilda Bell describes this strange occurrence and other spooky things that
happened in Cahaba.
YOUTH
Capture Not Defeat
St. Michael sailed from France to La Louisiane as a 14-year-old cabin boy.
He experienced many life-threatening situations living in Indian villages to
learn their languages. Learn how the Chickasaw and Choctaw used stories
about him to try to control French leaders. Hear of his daring acts when
he’s captured on a buffalo hunt by the Alabama Indians.
Daring Adventures of a
Cassette Girl
Marie Boisrenaud shows artifacts as she recounts the
dangerous voyage of French girls to La Mobile. Each soon-to-be bride had her
dowry in a small trunk called a cassette. Independent and
strong-willed Marie didn’t approve of the way Commandant Bienville ran the
colony. Battle lines were drawn when she sided with colonists against him,
and he prevented her marriage to the man she loved. Marie tells sad and
funny tales about life in the wilderness—colonists battling Indians,
disease, and each other.
The following
presentations are adapted for youth.
(More mature content, including guts and gore.)
•
Adventure on the High Seas
• Life
in the Williamsburg Gaol (Jail)
•
The Spy Glass
• Trials and Triumphs of a Cassette Girl
• Old Jeffrey
• Pegues Ghost
ADULTS
HISTORY
Dressed in period clothes, Anne Dalton includes humor and
hope as she portrays 18th century women.
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Marie-Francoise de Boisrenaud
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18th century French
governess of the Cassette
Girls |
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Madeline LaSalle
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18th century French colonist |
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Betty Randolph |
My Cousin, Thomas Jefferson’s - 18th century
Colonial America
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Ann Pelham |
Wife
of Peter Pelham, Bruton Parish organist and keeper of the jail
(Great-grandmother
of John Pelham, AL Civil War hero) - 18th century Colonial America
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Susanna Wesley |
18th century English woman - mother of
John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church and Charles Wesley, hymn
writer.
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Trials and
Triumphs of a Cassette Girl
(Marie-Francoise de Boisrenaud)
In 1704, virtuous
young French women—each with her dowry in a small trunk called a cassette—came
to La Louisiane as prospective brides of the restless young bachelors. Marie
acted as governess and matchmaker to the younger women, but she ended up a
spinster. Independent and strong-willed Marie confronted Commandant
Bienville about his methods of running the colony. Battle lines were drawn
when she sided with colonists against him. In retaliation, he prevented her
marriage to the man she loved. Marie tells sad and funny tales about life in
the wilderness—colonists battling Indians, disease, and each other.
Adventure of
Alabama’s First French Family (Madeline LaSalle)
Madeline LaSalle was the
only woman to arrive on Massacre Island (Dauphin Island, AL) in 1702 with
over 100 men. Her husband, Nicolas LaSalle, was in charge of supplies for
the new colony at La Mobile. Share the adventure, fear, and hope of the
LaSalle family as they travel from France to La Mobile.
My Cousin, Thomas
Jefferson: (Betty Randolph)
Betty Randolph, a leading lady of
Colonial Williamsburg, tells family stories about Thomas Jefferson. Her
husband, Peyton—Thomas’s cousin—was president of the First Continental
Congress. Hear her account of Peyton’s death in Philadelphia, which put
Thomas Jefferson in position to write the Declaration of Independence. Learn
about the beginning of the Library of Congress.
The Jailer’s Wife
(Ann Pelham)
Ann Pelham raised 5 of her 14
children in the Williamsburg gaol (jail). Her husband, Peter—organist at
Bruton Parish Church, clerk in the House of Burgess among other jobs—was one
of Williamsburg’s most respected citizens. Ann tells of her struggles with
her duties as the jailer’s wife, caring for a large family with constant
financial hardships, and socializing with the elite of Virginia. She reveals
tidbits about their most famous prisoner, Henry Hamilton, the “Hair-Buyer”
and Thomas Jefferson’s reactions to him. Ann looks almost a hundred years
into the future and tells about her great-grandson, John Pelham. General
Robert E. Lee called the famous Civil War hero from Alabama the “Gallant
Pelham”.
Mother of the Wesleys
(Susanna Wesley)
 Mother
of 19 children, Susanna Wesley was an educated and strong-willed woman of
the 18th century. Seven daughters and three sons lived to adulthood. Susanna
is remembered because of her sons, John and Charles. John was the founder of
the Methodist Church, and Charles wrote many hymns including “Oh For a
Thousand Tongues to Sing” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”
Because of social changes instigated by John Wesley, some
give him credit for averting a revolution in England similar to the one in
France. This presentation is from a historical perspective—not
denominational.
Inspiration
The Spyglass
Using the book, The Spy Glass, by Richard Paul Evans, Anne Dalton
tells a story about a spyglass that enables the viewer to see what might be—
instead of what is. Imagination is ignited by the spark of faith, and with
faith comes hope and change. By sharing a vision and inspiring people to
work together, goals can be achieved that benefit individuals,
communities—even the whole world. The story is adapted to inspire visions
for local situations.
Humor
102 And Still a Doll
(Adults)
Great-Grandma Barbara Doll is not just another pretty face—she’s been part
of the action in Alabama’s history. Barbara is an avid reader and still has
an active
imagination. On her 102nd birthday when reporters show up, she
knows they want to
hear good stories. Starting with her earliest memories—stars falling on
Alabama, she gives graphic details of being hit by one. Her marriage to
Kenneth Doll in 1919 was a
big event—Alabama celebrated its 100th birthday on her wedding
day. Ken always
called her “Baby”; however, great-grandchildren prefer Barbie. “Baby” worked
for
women’s right to vote, rode the bus with Rosa Parks, and warned George
Wallace not to stand in “the school house door”. She even shares her secret
of how to be in on the action.
The Three-Century Woman
Great-Grandma Breckenridge's claim to fame is that she's lived in three
centuries. In January of 2001, reporters came to Whispering Oaks, Elder Care
Facility to hear some of Mrs. Breckenridge's experiences. She knows they
want something exciting, so she tells them "stories" that make her into
Super Woman. Based on "The Three-Century Woman" by Richard Peck in Second
Sight: Stories for a New Millennium.
The Case of the Stolen Stove (10-15
minutes)
Imagine coming home to a house that has been burglarized. However, the only
thing missing is the stove. With expertise, Anne Dalton tells you how to
handle the situation.
Strange and Scary Happenings
Old Jeffrey
This is one of the best-authenticated ghost stories in history. Samuel and
Susanna Wesley were too educated and rational to believe in ghosts, but
something was definitely not right in their home in 1716. There were loud
groans, stamping of feet, the sound of breaking of bottles, and knocks.
Sometimes the house shook from top to bottom. Rev. Wesley seemed to be
strongly disliked by “Old Jeffrey” as the children called the ghost, and
little Hetty was his favorite. Susanna said he could bang and clang all he
wanted as long as he didn’t disturb her devotions—he granted her wish.
Pegues Ghost
How would you feel if a large ball of light followed you? In 1862 in Cahaba,
Alabama a large white luminous ball moving a few feet above the ground
appeared several times. Ms. Dalton will read scenes from her book, Dream
Ghost, that describe this strange occurrence. Hear of similar modern-day
events.
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