(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Black History Month and Presidents’ Day, the American Historical Theatre will re-create three notable Americans, whose lives spanned three centuries, at the Ocean County Library. Appearances will take place at three branches: Toms River, Barnegat, and Jackson.

Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, (732) 349-6200 - “James Forten: Philadelphia Businessman, Abolitionist, and ‘A Man of Color,’" portrayed by Keith Henley on Saturday, February 4 at 2:00pm. James Forten, a highly principled and respected Philadelphia businessman in the early 19th century, fought in the American Revolution, defended his city in the War of 1812, and worked to achieve a Constitutional guarantee of full citizenship for people of color. He strongly advocated equal rights for people of color and for women. 

Barnegat Branch, 112 Burr Street, (609) 698-3331 - “Abraham Lincoln: The Man Who Saved the Union,” portrayed by Bob Gleason on Wednesday, February 15 at 2:00pm. Abraham Lincoln rose from poverty in Illinois through work and determination, becoming a lawyer, Congressman and 16th President of the U.S. To him fell the awesome task of holding the Union intact during the moral and Constitutional crises of the Civil War. Bob Gleason has portrayed nearly 150 notable figures in venues throughout America. He’ll touch on Lincoln’s adoption of an abolitionist view, social and economic factors prior to the Civil War, and the role of the Gettysburg Address for national healing, freedom and equality.

Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, (732) 928-4400 - “Madam CJ Walker: America's First Female Self-Made Millionaire,” portrayed by Dr. Daisy Century on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30pm. Madame C.J. Walker grew a modest hair-loss remedy business into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. She empowered other African-American women by sharing her knowledge of commerce. She was an ardent advocate of civil rights and equality, and a core member of NAACP. She contributed finances to Black institutions of higher learning. Dr. Daisy Century, teacher and actor, uses science and creativity to discover how historical characters would respond in different situations. She is a published author, under the pseudonym Emily Nelson, and also an accomplished singer.

Please register at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events to attend any one of these three free programs. For more information, call (732) 349-6200. 

American Historical Theatre is a non-profit corporation whose actor-historians give first-person performances throughout the country, including the White House, the National Archives, and multiple Presidential libraries. 

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.