Terry S. Todish

“The Adventures of Jacques Le Blanc:  A French Coureurs de Bois.”  (A program for school age children.)  Often children are taught history as a mere list of names, dates and places that have little connection to their lives.  Re-enactments can bring the sights, sounds and smells of the past to life, but only individual historical interpreters can bring the people alive.

      The people of New France:  the Coureurs de Bois (bush runners); voyageurs (canoe men for the fur companies); the missionaries, farmers, and soldiers; these are all largely forgotten today.  Their lives were both very different and yet, very similar to our own.

      From Jacques Le Blanc, children and their parents have the chance to learn first hand of the dramatic defeat of British General Braddock by the French and their Indian allies.  They will hear of the lives of the voyageurs, farmers, missionaries and soldiers in their own words, and through their stories and songs.

      Using first person interpretation, storytelling and a lively presentation that informs and entertains, Terry Todish and his alter ego, Jacques Le Blanc, will give children a new appreciation of French heritage of the Midwest.

About the Speaker:

Terry S. Todish is a living history interpreter, writer, editor, historical consultant and former museum curator.  For over 25 years he has brought to life the French and Indian War, portraying an Anglo-American ranger, an Irish “gentleman volunteer” and recently, a French Coureurs de Bois.  Terry is coauthor (with his brother Tim) of “The Alamo Sourcebook,” he worked on the film “Last of the Mohicans” and the documentary series “FRONTIER:  Legends of the Old Northwest,” was managing editor of “Smoke and Fire News,” and is the proprietor of “Poor Richards’s Books,” finding good homes for new and used historical books.

      At many events, Terry has narrated tactical demonstrations, fashion shows and other programs, interpreting for the public the activities and skills of his fellow living historians.  This has contributed to his reputation as son of Erin who has kissed the Blarney Stone, but also as someone who can fairly portray the opposing sides of historical conflicts.  Fascinated for years by his Irish ancestors who fled their homeland and served in the French Army, he now sometimes portrays one of these “Wild Geese.”

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