A 72-year-old Benjamin Franklin, portrayed by Paul Stillman of Historically Speaking, will present the final lecture of The French & Indian War Society’s Spring Lecture Series. Ben, dressed in his red banyan and fox fur hat, will offer his reminiscences of the French & Indian War, the Albany Compact and his 1754 negotiations with the Colonies and the French to end the conflict. The event will be held at the Fort William Henry Conference Center on Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m.
According to Historically Speaking publicist Nadine Battaglia, “We will hear Franklin’s accounting of his days as a Pennsylvania Assemblyman in the 1740s and how his 10,000-man militia struck fear into the heart of Pennsylvania’s Governor, which signaled across the Atlantic and scared Britain’s Crown as well.”
“Ben will chat about his fascinating exploits on the western frontier, the interesting people he knew and his friends, including our own William Johnson and Joseph Brandt. Ben will share his fascinating exploits on the western frontier and how he built frontier forts on the Delaware River.” Stillman will also present the inventor side of this Founding Father with a performance on the glass armonica. The musical instrument, designed by Franklin, produces delicate tones with tuned glass bowls.
Admission to the lecture is free. Ample free parking is available, and refreshments will be served.
Paul Stillman is the 18th Century Historic Interpreter at the Fort William Henry Museum. He serves as the resident specialist on ghosts during the Fort’s popular ghost tours. He has portrayed Benjamin Franklin professionally for 38 years, along with Teddy Roosevelt, a Seneca Indian Elder, Revolutionary and Civil War Soldiers, a Samurai, Galileo Galilee and a host of other historic characterizations for schools, libraries, civic groups, museums, businesses, historical societies, parks, motivational speaking and conventions. For further information about Paul and Historically Speaking, contact Nadine Battaglia at (518) 696-5889.