March 7, 2018
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Becky Park will present “Jemima Boone” in the Archives and History Library at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The program will begin at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Born in 1762, Jemima Boone was the fourth child of Rebecca and Daniel Boone and lived to the age of 67. She witnessed her parent’s attempt, failure and finally success in settling in Kentucky and lived to see her parents’ last days in Missouri.
In 1776, Boone and two other girls were kidnapped by Shawnee warriors. The story of their rescue provided the basis of the famous novel The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. She was the only member of her family who chose to remain at Boonesborough while her father was a captive of the Shawnees in 1777. She also was the only one of his children who took part in the defense of Boonesborough and then witnessed her father's court-martial and exoneration.
Park grew up in Charleston, raised four children in Roane County, and now lives on the West Side with her husband Andy. She has developed dramatic portrayals of several regional settler women, including Sudnar Carpenter Tanner, who settled Spencer with her husband Samuel; Rhoda Ingles, who tells the story of her mother Mary Draper Ingles; and both Rebecca Bryan Boone, wife of Daniel, and daughter Jemima Boone Callaway. Park also is known for her portrayal of World War II hero Col. Ruby Bradley, a native of Roane County, who was a prisoner of the Japanese and career Army nurse.
For additional information, contact the Archives and History Library at (304) 558-0230.
Patrons may park behind the Culture Center after 5 p.m. on March 15 and enter the building at the back loading dock area. The bus turnaround is open, and handicapped spots are available there. Visitors parking there should enter at the front of the building.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is proud to be able to present its programs at no charge to the public but without a solution to the state’s budget situation, this could be the last year that programs of this type could be offered. The division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, is an agency within the Office of Secretary of Education and the Arts with Gayle Manchin, cabinet secretary. It brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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