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OFE News Release

'Thomas Jefferson' to Participate in Colonial Day at the Capitol Feb. 3

January 30, 2006
OKLAHOMA CITY -- More than 500 fifth-grade students from schools in BETHANY, DEL CITY, MIDWEST CITY, NORMAN and OKLAHOMA CITY will be traveling back into American history on Friday, Feb. 3, when they participate in the seventh annual Colonial Day at the Capitol. Most events will take place from 9:40 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol building.

Highlighting this year’s Colonial Day will be a special appearance by renowned historical interpreter Bill Barker, who portrays founding father Thomas Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg. He will join Oklahoma-based reenactors, portraying such historical figures as Benjamin Franklin, Abigail Adams, Sacagawea and a militia soldier.

During teacher-led sessions, students can play colonial games, practice early-American dances, explore a living history museum and test their skills as junior archeologists. They will also learn about slavery, Revolutionary War espionage and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps from Bill White, head of educational programs for the Williamsburg Foundation. Participating students are encouraged to dress in colonial costumes.

“Colonial Day is an engaging and action-packed day of learning that brings Colonial history to life for Oklahoma students,” said project director Teresa Potter, a fifth-grade teacher at Fisher Elementary School in Moore. “Kids really enjoy visiting the capitol, meeting with character interpreters and participating in all the interactive sessions.”

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence will recognize the winner of its Colonial Day Literature Contest during opening ceremonies at 9:40 a.m. in the House chambers. Thomas Jefferson will present a plaque and $100 savings bond to this year’s recipient, Annie Shell of Oklahoma City, for her award-winning essay, “What it Means to Be an American.”

Elementary schools participating in this year’s Colonial Day are Earl Harris Elementary in BETHANY; Epperly Heights Elementary of DEL CITY; Cleveland-Bailey and Traub elementary schools of MIDWEST CITY, Monroe Elementary of NORMAN; and Fairview and Fisher elementary schools of OKLAHOMA CITY (both in the Moore Public Schools district).

Colonial Day is coordinated by teachers who have participated in the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute through a fellowship program administered by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

The event is made possible by funding from the Oklahoma Humanities Council and a 2006 state appropriation through the Oklahoma Historical Society. Additional support is provided by Edward C. Joullian III, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of American-Oklahoma chapter and Charles L. Oppenheim.

For information, contact Teresa Potter, Colonial Day project director, at (405) 692-5670.