On Saturday, October 8, the Cumberland County Library in Bridgeton will host a free public presentation, “The Soil is the Gift of God”: Thomas Jefferson and Just Use of the Land. Actor Steve Edenbo of the American Historical Theater will portray Thomas Jefferson in an hour-long presentation and public discussion, during which Mr. Edenbo will present Jefferson’s views regarding responsible land usage and on how the earth belongs to all mankind. This free presentation begins at 2 p.m. in the library’s Meeting Room, in the lower level of the library.

Steve Edenbo offers his audience Thomas Jefferson’s gifts with eloquence. Mr. Edenbo shares Jefferson’s love of reading, writing, and good wine, as well as a love of the outdoors and the need to balance intimate relations with solitude. His educational seminars and keynote speeches inform as well as inspire. While earning his BA from Dickenson College, Mr. Edenbo’s focus was research and writing; however, his theater experience included improvisation and training in voice and singing. Mr. Edenbo was introduced to American Historical Theatre in 1999 by AHT Associate Producer Kim Hanley. Mr. Edenbo bases his interpretation of Jefferson on the insight that comes from years of reflection, for which he was awarded a Research Fellowship at Monticello in 2008 by the International Center for Jefferson Studies.

Mr. Edenbo has interpreted Thomas Jefferson at venues that include Monticello, The National Archives, Independence National Historical Park: Declaration House(the only person invited to interpret Thomas Jefferson at this historic site), Congress Hall and City Tavern, the Smithsonian Institution, National Constitution Center, University of Virginia, Freedom’s Foundation of Valley Forge, Carpenter’s Hall, Trenton’s Patriot Week, the Philly Pops at Independence Hall, Texas A & M International University, Academy of Natural Sciences, numerous middle and high schools and colleges, and at professional improvement seminars for teachers at locations throughout the United States.

This program was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.                                                                 

Cumberland County Library is located at 800 East Commerce Street in Bridgeton, NJ, 08302. For more information, call (856) 453-2210.