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General “Stonewall” Jackson Marches into the Bridgeport Public Library!

The Bridgeport Public Library, in partnership with the West Virginia Humanities Council, will be hosting History Alive!’s Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson on June 27th at 6:30pm. Retired history teacher of thirty-two years, Doug Riley of Tunnelton will be offering his portrayal of the area’s favorite and homegrown general for the event. All are welcome and admission is free.

Riley says “It is an honor to try to portray the "real" Jackson to the public. So much of what the public think they know about the man is myth or exaggeration. The real man is much more interesting.” Riley finds great value in the opportunity to see and interact with the story of history. He says “I found as a teacher of history that facts, figures, and dates have little relevance to the student, no matter what the age, until they understand the story of history. In the History Alive! first person format, the story of history comes alive and is much more memorable.” Both Riley and the Bridgeport Public Library hope the public will come out to meet Gen. Jackson in celebration of West Virginia’s 150th birthday! About History Alive! History Alive! provides a unique passport to the past. The program brings historical characters to life through portrayals by presenters who have conducted scholarly research on their character. Presenters are available to nonprofit organizations across West Virginia, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, and civic groups. History Alive! allows audiences to explore history through interaction with historical figures. These presentations are not one-person plays. They are intended to engage audiences in a dialogue with the character. History Alive! presenters have conducted thorough research into the characters they portray. They have gained insight into their character after studying primary sources such as autobiographies, journals, letters, speeches and other personal papers. Their presentation is based on scholarship and analysis rather than a script. For more information about the event, please contact Sarah Rosier at the Bridgeport Public Library at 304-842-8248.