The League of Most Interesting Gentlemen
History Makers
Secretary Gallatin is one of the founding members of a group of like-minded interpretive historians known as the League of Most Interesting Gentlemen. The League's goal is to redefine the scope and approach to interpretive historical education.
The Gentlemen seek to “inform as well as entertain” discerning audiences, and can tailor appearances to serve the needs of a site and its guests. The Gentlemen appear as President Thomas Jefferson; Fourth Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin; Dr. Benjamin Franklin; and the Natural Philosopher.
Together and individually, they bring the early years of our country's growth to life in an engaging manner that draws their constituents into their life and times. To further enliven these gatherings, colleagues and friends who are also interpretive historians joing them when appropriate. It is hoped that the short film below produced by Dean Howarth will give you an hint of the Gentlemen in action.
Members of the League have appeared on Virginia Time Travels to discuss the role of living history in fostering understanding of the people and events involved. The footage is shared with you courtesy of Fairfax County Channel 21.
Portraying President Thomas Jefferson
Tom Pitz
Thomas Jefferson, the “American Sphinx”, as he has been called, enlightens 21st century Americans with his potent words to explain the motives for our forefathers to fight for a government based upon reason rather than force, a novel concept. At the same time he fails to “first take the log out of [his] own eye” because slaves are forced to serve this new country he helped to form. Question him.
Long an aficionado of Revolutionary Era history, Tom Pitz has been performing as Mr. Jefferson since 1987. He considers it an honor and a privilege to bring one of America’s greatest historical figures back to life for audiences. His performance sites include Michie Tavern, Denver Museum of Natural Science, the College of William and Mary, Keswick Hall, the United States Treasury, University of Virginia, Virginia Genealogical Society, Hampden Sydney College, Carthage College, and the National Geographic Society. As a graduate of Mr. Jefferson’s University, he is well aware that John Adams’ dying statement, “Jefferson Lives” is as true today as it was on July 4th, 1826.
To engage or for more information about President Jefferson, please email Mr. Pitz.
Portraying Benjamin Franklin
Barry Stevens
Barry Stevens has been presenting Benjamin Franklin since 2005. Prior to this, he participated as a Revolutionary War soldier with the First Virginia Regiment. His education on the life and times of Dr. Franklin has led him to read and travel extensively to locations throughout the Colonies and even to Paris, France. His audiences have been found in Michie Tavern, the Treasury Executive Institute, the National Fire Heritage Center, the City Tavern in Philadelphia, the National Institutes of Health, Proprietary House in Perth Amboy, NJ, the National Science and Engineering Festival, and a variety of schools and business conventions.
For Mr. Stevens, it is both a challenge and an honor to portray Benjamin Franklin. To engage Mr. Franklin or learn more, please email Mr. Stevens
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The Natural Philosopher
Itinerant Lecturer
Can you locate your longitude and latitude without your smart phone or computer? Can you hold a mammoth tooth in your hand or cast a hypnotic spell on someone?
Alexander Ellicott, Count Rumford, and Dr. Franz Mesmer can. They would be happy to teach children about the science of the Enlightenment so that their elders, who wish to appear too sophisticated to reveal their genuine curiosity, can also learn. The role of the Natural Philosopher in the Age of Enlightenment (seventeenth, eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries) was a combination of the roles played by today's scientists, educators, and philosophers.
Dean Howarth is a veteran science teacher and living history instructor, who specializes in interpretations based on the Sciences. He has portrayed dozens of scientific personae, such as Isaac Newton, Count Rumford, William Herschel, David Rittenhouse, Ebenezer Kinnersley, Alessandro Volta, and Franz Anton Mesmer. Presentations on early physics, astronomy, natural science, paleontology, electricity, chemistry and medical quackery are accompanied by his extensive collection of replica instruments. Mr Howarth has appeared at Gadsby’s Tavern, Mount Vernon, Montpelier, Rippon Lodge, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, Wren Hall, Rumford House (MA), Priestly House (PA), Carlyle House, The White House, Sully Plantation, Claude Moore Colonial Farm, St. Mary City (MD), Wye Oak Church (MD), Arlington Planetarium, and the Smithsonian Institution.
The Natural Philosopher and Mr. Howarth may be reached via email to discuss topics of interest to you and your venue.