James Franklin Russell II dresses up in strange clothes for class some days. In Colonial garb, he visits schools in Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula to give students a glimpse into the lives and motivations of colonists who were making their way in the “new world” and forging a new country.
On a recent appearance for 120 sixth graders (see photos) in Northumberland County, Russell, who is Deputy Governor and Treasurer of the Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Virginia, spent the day talking about how our country started at Jamestown and won our freedom from the crown at Yorktown.
Russell’s efforts began in 2014 and continue in his service as chair of the “Patriot’s Chest” education program for the Sons of the American Revolution. He has four different outfits for persons living in Virginia in the Colonial period: one as a Virginia Planter of the early 1700’s; one as Richard Henry Lee; one as a Virginia Militiaman of the 1760’s; one as a Virginia officer of 1812.
Now, his annual tours include engaging elementary and middle school-aged audiences with period documents, period children’s toys and family life implements (dinner utensils and samples of dried food).
Russell says, “Most importantly, I offer each child an opportunity to sign their name with a quill pen and ask if they are willing to surrender their life and all their possessions as I describe the stress of growing up during the colonial period.”
