The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is proud to announce the arrival of its newest Nation Builder: Young Abraham Lincoln.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (March 31, 2016) – As part of a new initiative to chronologically expand programming, Colonial Williamsburg introduces its newest Nation Builder: Young Abraham Lincoln.
“For years, visitors have requested Civil War interpretation,” said John Hay, a Colonial Williamsburg spokesperson. “Bringing Young Lincoln to Colonial Williamsburg answers those calls, and signals the first step in our new, larger commitment to nineteenth-century and Civil War history.”
After a rigorous six-month search that spanned the globe, Colonial Williamsburg narrowed the field to three candidates. After a two week interview and audition process in Williamsburg, Mr. Basile Patron won the position. He comes to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation with two decades of stage experience in Argentina, Uruguay, Norway, and Chicago.
“I am delighted to be joining such a storied institution,” Basile Patron said. “Helping visitors understand Mr. Lincoln’s contribution to American history is a privilege, and a responsibility—a responsibility that I take seriously.”
Visitors can see Young Abe throughout the month of April in “Meet a Nation Builder” performances. His first official appearance is today, April 1, at 3 pm: “The Road to Secession and War.”
Additional information is available by visiting www.colonialwilliamsburg.com, or by calling 277-453-6657.
Media contact:
John Hay
277-453-6657
duh@cwf.org
Imagine my surprise when a woman attending Escape the King in my group informed me that there will be a young Abe Lincoln joining the interpreters . That was on May 19th! And she still believed it! I started to explain that it was an April Fool’s joke, but I finally gave up.
Dorothy Bell says
To me, CW is not about “fooling.” I agree with the posters who have commented on recent and unwelcome changes. Chief among them for me was “trick or treating” in the Historic Area -how is that supported by 18c documentation?
I was worried enough by the Lincoln post that I started thinking about changing my donor status. I really depend on CW to be a beacon of historic truth, not easy to do in this world.
Jennifer McArdle says
I can’t wAit for the special Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer Evening Program…
Dewitt Yingling says
I must say that I was convinced this was not a joke. With the recent CW magazine featuring a somewhat tainted 21th century personality on the cover, bringing in good old Abe would seem to be a refreshing addition. I like many of the attempts to bring new life to CW, but there does seem to be a new “tone” to simply change for changes sake. I hope this joke doesn’t backfire. I do applaud your creativity.
This was fun, hilarious and thought provoking….very, very well done!
You got me for a bit, but then I remembered the date and burst into laughter. Laughter is a good medicine and we can all use more of it especially these days. Keep up the good work CW. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next April Fools’ Day!
Is the new Magazine an April fool’s joke too????
Janice Hoffman says
I agree with Mr. Shaffer (above): great joke but a bit unnerving. Yes, you got us, but please let us in on the joke sooner, perhaps at the end of the page/article.
We absolutely LOVE Colonial Williamsburg AND Mr. Lincoln, just not together. 🙂
Dave Shaffer says
Kudos to you on this piece for your creativity and sense of humor. The fact that some believed it possible speaks well for your credibility, and reader reactions for the depth of passion felt for your organization. I suspected the story was written for the day, but to be honest, the hints seemed awfully subtle. I wasn’t really certain, even after finishing the story, that it was written in jest. Perhaps some of the negative comments are in fact a bit of a warning. People who care very much about Colonial Williamsburg are excited about new efforts to promote CW, but anxious that it not change too much. Oh well, at least it wasn’t a story about a new roller coaster and unicorns being added to the rare breeds stock! 😎
I’m calling John Hay right NOW! And Mary Todd Lincoln while I’m at it! (Just to say April Fool!)
I’m reading additional posts from folks who are sure this is an April Fools joke. I’m not seeing the clues in the article, other than the general imbecility of the project. This is not funny, because it is treading on nerves made raw from previous CW decisions. If this was intended as a joke, you should have stated it was at the end of the article and we could all share a laugh - and a big sigh of relief that it isn’t true. The fact the folks took it as fact should tell you that long time supporters have been less than thrilled about many recent decisions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You said it for me! Thank you!
Oh, no. You don’t throw everything in the spice cabinet into your omelette and expect it to be edible. Actually, this is like throwing motor oil in your omelette. It may be great in its place - a car - but not in an omelette.
WHY?!?!?!? You are diluting the experience and your message to the point where it will be a mixed up, unfocused mess.
Is this an attempt to expand the CW black history program? There are MANY sites that interpret black history in the 19th c, but I can’t think of any that interpret black history in the 18th c. Instead of expanding to a time already well covered elsewhere, you should concentrate on teaching about an often ignored time when the seeds were being sown for the turmoil and near dissolution of the union the founding fathers worked so hard to build. Fill the gap in knowledge that exists in the niche of your established time period.
I agree with the comments about the importance of focusing on specific points in time and establishing historical context. You are creating a blur. Your average tourist probably already thinks the 18th c = the 1800s, and the 19th c = the 1900s. You need to keep things simple for the kids to understand, and for the majority of adults who don’t have a clue about what happened in which century.
This decision is back in line with the ice skating rink on DoG St. If people want to visit a theme park, they would be much happier going on a few miles to Busch Gardens Old Country.
You are diluting your niche, your brand. Just like you have diluted the product line of the Craft House so much that I might as well shop in Pottery Barn as the Craft House. Thank goodness for the shops in the restored area. Colonial Williamsburg helped set a trend in decorating for decades. Now they follow trends, and of questionable taste in my opinion.
Stick with a simple, clear message. Stick with teaching the history of a defined period in enjoyable ways (while able to reference earlier and later periods when necessary). Become a jack of all trades, and you will be master of none.
I think this is too elaborate to be an April Fool joke - and I keep hoping it is. Please tell me this is a joke.
Pam - We checked the date and knew we had to “Go Big or Go Home!” 🙂
The joke is fine - but make sure next time that people know it is a joke. Just put a “gotcha” at the end, and we can all have a laugh instead of going ballisitc. Doesn’t it give you pause that a lot of people thought this was true in light of some recent CW decisions?
Pam - It’s sorta what we’ve become known for every April 1. We usually hold out until late afternoon for the big reveal though honestly most people recognize the date and get a good laugh. 🙂
HI…..
LARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy 04/01.
I fell for it…..either way, CW is awesome.
Thanks, Bryan! Glad we brought a little fun into your day.
Bill says
Williamsburg is about history. It is also about fun. The new president and his staff seem committed to making a visit to Colonial Williamsburg a fun experience for everyone. If Abe was around today he certainly would visit Colonial Williamsburg and would have interesting things to reflect upon. After all he is considered the last of the founding fathers, in spite of the unpleasantness. I would love to share his insights.
I totally agree with this above statement!!!
TRAMIA ALTHEA JACKSON says
Best April Fool’s joke ever! Love you CW
Amy says
Hipster Lincoln is hot. I say bring him on out and let the visitors roll in! 😉
Gina says
We should all email them and tell them about what we think of this decision! There’s an email link on this page-I’m gonna use it!
Awful ,awful decision. Not only does Lincoln not belong at CW but neither does the new president evidently. This place is spiraling downward since his arrival !
Debby - Looks like we fooled you. Check your calendar. 🙂
Ok , you got me! ?
There are so many nation builders to learn about from the 18th Century I wish you would stay in that time frame. I even find that jumping from decade to decade is somewhat confusing….and now to throw Mr. Lincoln into the mix…..
Sorry that I can’t get enthusiastic over this new idea.
Sandy - looks like our April Fools prank for this year was top notch. Gotcha!
Got me! Got me good.
I’m sorry, I absolutely love Williamsburg, but I don’t understand this move at all! The place is called Colonial Williamsburg for God’s sake. I just spent a week there and observed the new programming. Some programs were hold overs from last year, others were new. All we enjoyable. That being said, I was troubled by what I saw as a lack of chronological consistency. I’m a child of the Days in History era of the 90’s and I found it very useful back then to know what day it was in history when I visited Williamsburg. It provided me with a basis for which to ask my questions. I knew not to ask about independence when it was 1774 or about Lord Dunmore in 1781. It was great to focus in detail on 1774, or 1775 etc. I could time travel in my mind for the day and thoroughly enjoy the experience.
On this year’s visit though, there didn’t seem to be any sort of chronological order. Maybe it being so early in the season, CW is just working out the kinks, but I felt that the programming schedule on this visit was somewhat haphazard.
And now I’m told that Mr. Lincoln will be in town?
There is a part of me that is excited to meet him. If he is even half as talented as the interpreters who portray Mr. Henry, Col. Washington, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Carter etc…. than I am sure it will be a wonderfully educational experience. But there is another part of me that cringes that Abraham Lincoln will be on the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. I know Williamsburg has a cool Civil War history, but I’ve never associated CW with the Civil War. The foundation really should stick with its original (and noble purpose) of interpreting the 18th Century and let other sites teach about the Civil War. I think seeing Mr. Lincoln strolling down Duke of Gloucester street is going to totally blow the illusion I create in my mind that I’m back in the 18th century when I visit CW. I wish CW would return to the Days in History programming instead of expanding outside the 18th century.
Mike - We appreciate your passionate response. It’s evident you love Colonial Williamsburg and our current Nation Builders. You may want to reread the post and look for some tiny clues we’ve sprinkled in. Hint: they have to do with today’s date. 🙂
Ha. I didn’t realize the prank until I got home and saw on the news that Google had done something. I said to myself…. “I wonder………” And sure enough, here’s your reply and that of a lot of other folks.
You sure as heck went big! Good one.
I had literally just mentioned to my wife that she had lost her touch in pranking me on this day (it’s been awhile since she’s got me) and it turns out my favorite place in the world got me instead.
Well Done. Happy April Fools Day and Happy Spring.
Now about those Days in History programs…………. 🙂
Huzzah! You figured it out. Thank you for having a sense of humor and sharing in a good laugh with us. We look forward to trying to fool everyone again next year. 🙂