A portrait of Benjamin Franklin circa 1767. Photo courtesy of the White House Historical Association.
Benjamin Franklin will make an appearance at the Orange Historical Society’s thirteenth annual Taste of the Past event on Saturday, April 6 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Orange Congregational Church Community Room, at 205 Meetinghouse Ln.
Jack Sherry, a historical reenactor, will play Franklin. A light lunch of sandwiches, homemade soups and desserts will be served at 1 p.m. The performance will begin at 2:30 p.m. The event also includes a silent auction of gift baskets and gift certificates.
Sherry has been performing as Franklin since 2003. He is a retired American History teacher, having taught for over 15 years at a private high school in New Jersey. He has been actively involved with Living History reenacting since 1980, portraying the common loyalist soldier who fought during the American Revolution. He and his wife, Celeste, a college English professor, reside in Rockland County, New York.
A hero of Colonial America and a man of numerous talents, Franklin is considered to be among the brainiest of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin’s long list of achievements include signing the Declaration of Independence, publishing the famous Poor Richard’s Almanack, serving as postmaster of Philadelphia, founding the first American fire insurance company, living in Paris as American ambassador to France, and inventing useful objects like the lightning rod, the Franklin stove and bifocal glasses.
For donations of gift baskets or gift certificates for the silent auction, call Priscilla Searles at 203-397-1465.
Because the Orange Historical Society expects this event to sell out, reservations are required. Tickets are $25 and will be sold first come, first served. No tickets will be sold at the door. Make checks payable to the Orange Historical Society and send them to: Orange Historical Society Taste of the Past, P.O. Box 784, Orange, CT 06477. Include your name, phone number and email with your reservation.
Founded in 1964, the Orange Historical Society strives to preserve the history of Orange for future generations by collecting those items that pertain to the settlement of Orange and the surrounding area. The society maintains the Stone-Otis House, the Bryan-Andrew House and the Academy, as well as the location of the Academy Museum Antique Shop. The society’s website is www.orangehistory.org.