The Botetourt County Historical Society (BCHS) will celebrate its 18th annual Founder’s Day Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 4, in the newly renovated Botetourt Room at The Glebe in Daleville.
The signature fundraising event will commemorate Botetourt County’s history during the nation’s 250th anniversary year.
This year’s dinner will feature William “Bill” Barker, one of the nation’s premier historical interpreters, whose portrayal of Thomas Jefferson has captivated audiences for decades.
Barker will step into the role of Jefferson for an evening exploring the life and ideas of America’s third president, as well as his connections to the people, places and events that shaped Botetourt County and the early American republic.
For Botetourt audiences, Jefferson’s story has a particularly local connection. The Lewis & Clark Expedition was commissioned by Jefferson, and the expedition’s connection to Botetourt County runs deep. Local tradition and historical markers recognize Fincastle as the place from which Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed as they began their journey west.
Jefferson’s connections to the region extend beyond Lewis and Clark. Col. James Breckinridge, a prominent Botetourt figure who represented the county in the Virginia House of Delegates, corresponded with and was a friend of Jefferson and played a significant role in the political world of early Virginia.
Jefferson also had a well-known connection to Natural Bridge, a landmark he owned and considered one of Virginia’s great natural wonders. Natural Bridge was once located within the boundaries of Botetourt County.
Through Barker’s portrayal, guests will have an opportunity to encounter Jefferson not simply as the author of the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s third president, but as a Virginian whose life, interests, relationships and ambitions intersected with the history of Botetourt County.
Barker portrayed Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg for more than 20 years and now serves as Jefferson at Monticello, where he continues to bring the life, words and vision of Jefferson to visitors from around the world.
His presentation is expected to make this year’s Founder’s Day Dinner a memorable evening as communities across the Commonwealth and nation mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The Founder’s Day Dinner also serves as an important fundraiser for the Botetourt County Historical Society. Proceeds support the society’s efforts to preserve and share Botetourt County’s history through museum exhibits, educational programs, artifact conservation, public events and community outreach.
The Historical Society invites businesses, organizations, community members and history enthusiasts to attend the event and celebrate Botetourt County’s place in the larger American story.
Tickets are $50 and are available for purchase at the museum in Fincastle or through Eventbrite. Seating is limited.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
