Jan Turnquist to Perform at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

From Lockwood Matthews Mansion Museum: On Sunday, May 21, 2017, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Avenue in Norwalk, CT, Jan Turnquist will present a living history performance portraying American author Louisa May Alcott. Jan Turnquist is the executive director of the historic house museum Orchard House, in Concord, Mass, where Louisa May Alcott wrote the novel, Little Women.

Ms. Trunquist has portrayed Louisa May Alcott in Public Service Announcements currently running nationally on the FOX TV network, several BBC productions, including Blue Peter, Britain's longest running children's TV show, Book Worm and their Open University programs, as well as on Public Television (PBS) and for First Lady Laura Bush.

Jan's performance is a blend of stage drama and "Living History." In a living history portrayal, an actor becomes a character, just as they do in a play, but, unlike a play, the audience may interact with the character and ask questions or make comments. LMMM’s audience will be invited to travel back in time to meet Louisa May Alcott who will enter the Mansion’s Rotunda after having had a minor accident and waiting for her carriage’s repair.

Jan is an educator, actress, and historian. She holds her teaching certification and degrees in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Wisconsin. Currently a consultant to Orchard House Museum, she spent 18 years on staff there as Living History Coordinator, Education Coordinator, and Historic Interpreter.

Through InterAct Performances, Jan currently leads programs across the country. Her living history portrayals are popular with schools, universities, libraries, museums, civic groups, conventions, and senior groups. She has also developed a successful offering of seminars and workshops in order to share more of her natural talents, developed skills, and researched material with teachers, business people, and students.

This will be the second in a series of Sunday Salons by experts in the field of 19th and early 20th centuries’ material and cultural life. This Salon includes a living history performance, refreshments, and a tour of the first floor of the Mansion; $15 for members, $20 for non-members per session. Refreshments are courtesy of Best in Gourmet. Please RSVP by Thurs, May 17, 2017. The chair of the Lecture Committee is Mimi Findlay of New Canaan.

Please visit our website: lockwoodmathewsmansion.com to purchase tickets or contact info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com or call 203-838-9799, ext. 4. The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is a National Historic Landmark. For more information on schedules and programs please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.

Photo courtesy of Lockwood Matthews Mansion Museum