While writing my historical novel,, I have become enamored by all things historical, even when it’s from different centuries. I love listening to re-enactors of all sorts and will drive a long way to see their portrayals of famous people and hear the stories….almost first-hand.
Megan Wells has been bringing historical figures to life for 40 years and is an award-winning and nationally respected actress and storyteller. She did a terrific job portraying Abigail Adams. a founding mother of our country.
I knew little about the wife of our second president, but now I feel as though I’ve had tea with her and discussed interesting facts of life in the first years of our nation’s founding. Megan Wells captured the “saucy” wit and intelligence of Abigail Adams and presented a snippet of history in an intimate and humorous way.
It’s the small details of an earlier time in our history that interests me. Like how Abigail described herself as trussed up like a ham on the table with an apple in its mouth when she was introduced to King George’s wife, Charlotte. She was referring to her fancy clothes and the whalebone stays that made it difficult to breathe. I admired that Megan could take on the total personna of Abigail including her speech, mannerisms, and a dress appropriate for the era.
To get a feel for the character in my historical novel, I made an outfit appropriate for a 17th century peasant, including a long skirt, apron, shift, coif, and vest. I’m not an actress like Megan, but maybe I’ll wear it at a book signing or something. The book is about 80% complete, so …. soon.
Check the events at your local library. Maybe they’ll host Megan Wells or another re-enactor. It’s an easy and entertaining way to learn what otherwise might be dry history.
Jeanne Meeks ~ Fiction Author 