Tea With Ben Franklin

You are invited to take a cup of tea with the renowned Benjamin Franklin. It is now 1788 and the aging Dr. Franklin has been working to complete his autobiography. He has asked you to join him in his Philadelphia home as he reminisces about his earlier life as a printer; his mission to England to prevent the revolution; his diplomatic work in France to secure assistance for the newly independent American states; and the recently completed Constitutional Convention. His philosophies, social causes, inventions, family, friends, travels and scientific discoveries are all parts of the fabric of his life.

This program is a first person, Chautauqua-style interpretation of Benjamin Franklin. Tim McNeil will follow his presentation with a question-answer session as Franklin, and will then step out of character and answer questions about his own research of Franklin and his personal insights into his life.

Meriwether Lewis, Letters Home

Meriwether Lewis portrayed by Tim McNeil.

Meriwether Lewis, personal secretary to President Thomas Jefferson, undertook an exploration of the Louisiana Territory and west to the Pacific Ocean. His journals, and those of his Corps of Discovery, provide a fascinating adventure story as well as a significant scientific and historical record. The expedition explored the Missouri River, crossed the Bitterroot Mountains, traveled on to the Pacific Ocean, and returned to St. Louis, covering 8,000 miles of wilderness in 28 months.

Tim McNeil provides an interpretation of the 1804-1806 expedition in character as Meriwether Lewis. He brings his character to life with costume, props, and quotations from Lewis’ journals as he “writes letters home” about the journey.

Canoes of Lewis & Clark

Lewis and Clark accomplished their journey across the continent primarily by canoe on the Missouri and Columbia Rivers. Along the way they constructed several canoes and traded for others from local Indians. Their journals also describe Indian watercraft, from the simple hide covered “bull-boats” of the Mandans, to the ornately carved cedar canoes of the Pacific coastal people.

McNeil offers a carpenter’s perspective on canoes, paddles and tools of the Expedition. His discussion is accompanied by his carving a canoe paddle using historic-style hand tools as he speaks. McNeil also carries a “portable museum” of miniature canoes, paddles and woodworking tools of 1803, which is available for the public to view at either of his presentations.