WhoFish - Local Events and Activities

Title:	Thomas Jefferson Talks Revolution
Date:	1/11/2026 (Sunday)
Address:	Amherst County Museum and Historical Society, 154 South Main Street, Amherst, Virginia 24521
Location:	Amherst, VA
Hours:	2:30 pm
Cost/Cover:	Free
Web Page:	http://amherstcountymuseum.org
Contact Info:	Octavia Starbuck, Director 434-946-9068

Details:

Bill Barker, courtesy of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello, portrays Thomas Jefferson, answering questions posed by noted newscaster Jeff Taylor about the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolutionary War, on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. The program will be held at the Museum’s Hamble Center. Light refreshments will be served.

Jefferson and Taylor will discuss the amazing ride of Jack Jouett, leading to the escape of Jefferson into Amherst County from the British troops. The public is encouraged to ask questions of Jefferson pertaining to the Declaration of Independence and the American War for Independence.

Jefferson is portrayed by Bill Barker, who is widely recognized as the nation’s foremost interpreter of Jefferson. Barker, formerly of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, is now employed by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello, a World Heritage Site, Historic House and Plantation, Museum, Research Institute, Presidential Library, and private, nonprofit organization. He has portrayed Jefferson for over 40 years throughout the United States and abroad. His performances include venues such as the White House, the Palace of Versailles, Independence Hall, as well as appearances in programs aired by ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, CNN, The History Channel, and C-Span. He has received numerous commendations including the Sydney N. Stokes Award from the Jefferson Legacy Foundation.

This program begins the commemoration celebrations in Amherst County for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence and will be followed on Saturday, August 8 with a living history event on the Museum grounds. Other activities are being planned to engage our community in learning and sharing stories of our people, places and things that have shaped Amherst County and that are reminders of the nation’s journey.

The Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC), formerly the Virginia Historical Society, is “the Commonwealth’s center for America’s 250th programs…The VMHC is proud to be a place for us all to unite in reflection, celebration, an aspiration as we continue our American journey together….” For more information contact: VirginiaHistory.org

The Amherst County Museum and Historical Society is a nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to discover, collect and preserve objects related to the history and genealogy of Amherst County. The society exhibits, interprets and offers its collections to provide educational experiences for people of all ages.