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    • Home
    • Augustin Fresnel
    • Frederick Law Olmsted
    • Philip Freneau
    • Young Abe Lincoln
    • Living History
    • Contact Me
  • Home
  • Augustin Fresnel
  • Frederick Law Olmsted
  • Philip Freneau
  • Young Abe Lincoln
  • Living History
  • Contact Me

Raisinghistory

RaisinghistoryRaisinghistoryRaisinghistory

Augustin Fresnel - Frederick Law Olmsted

Augustin Fresnel - Frederick Law OlmstedAugustin Fresnel - Frederick Law Olmsted

Living history

Joseph Smith as Augustin Fresnel

Living History - Local History

Why I do Living History?  


My work as a Performing Artist of Living History started with local history. I love researching and immersing myself in the "pages of history" contained within a reference room of a library or at a museum's archives, looking at old journals, correspondence or maps which provide me with "a window to travel back in time" to get to know an individual and hear their words or to see where things were and how much has changed, or stayed the same. I am a firm believer that there is still history out there, waiting to be re-discovered.  

Living History - Local History

Living History - Local History

William T. Davis

Staten Island naturalist, historian & co-founder of the Staten Island Museum 

Staten Island’s History Now:  William T. Davis (2010 DCA Premier Grantee)   


The Staten Island Historical Society's 2010 Literacy Luncheon 


“Ask the Historians Day” at New Dorp Moravian Church 


The Staten Island Museums' grand opening of their Archives at Snug Harbor Cultural Center 


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods Tribute Luncheon for Dick Buegler

    

Robert Moses
Greenbelt Conservancy


Charles Rohlfs - American furniture designer  

Performance for The Clarence Historical Society to celebrate Town Park Clubhouse’s Centennial 


Vice-President Daniel D. Tompkins 

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to assist celebrating the grand re-opening of Tompkinsville Park, which enhanced community awareness and their connection to the park.    


Calvin Decker Van Name 

Staten Island’s third borough president, as part of Fleet Week ceremony and celebration.    


George Cromwell 

Staten Island’s first borough president, as part of Staten Island Borough Hall’s Centennial celebration. 


Island Anthologies: A Living Tour - Alfred Napoleon Duffie

A full length living history play created, researched, written, developed and performed on site at an abandoned cemetery that promoted local history, attracted over 100 audience members, and increased community awareness of the non-profit group, Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries of Staten Island, and their mission. (2006 Junefest Grantee)

Joseph Smith as William T. Davis (Photo courtesy of Dave Vigdor)

Joseph Smith as William T. Davis at The Conference House.  

Photo credit: Dave Vigdor

Living History Reviews

Joseph Smith as William T. Davis (Photo courtesy of Dave Vigdor)

Staten Island Historical Society's Literacy Luncheon - William T. Davis portrayal

 “Joe has blended together character, substance & humor to sculpt a portrait that is alive & moving.”  

- Ed Wiseman, Executive Director (2008-2017), Staten Island Historical Society/Historic Richmondtown  

Joseph Smith as Alfred Napoléon Alexander Duffié (Photo credit: Ben Jacobs)

Island Anthologies: A Living Tour

"Joseph Smith is truly passionate about the history & "soul" of his subject.  He is true to his cause of faithfully and consummately bringing his subject matter and character back to life so the  audience will feel as if they really KNEW the character in their time of existence.”

- Rob, Teacher 

Living History - Local History


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