Time Travel Programs

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Two librarians helped commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Henrico County by creating a series of entertaining and educational family programs that explored the history of Henrico County. Using a spray-painted refrigerator box as a “time machine,” the librarians traveled back through time and kidnapped two historical figures from Virginia’s past: patriot Patrick Henry and aviator Richard Byrd. The historical figures were brought back to the present day where audiences asked them questions about their lives and times before they were returned to their respective historical periods. The purpose of these Henrico History Time Travel Programs was to offer interactive family programs at Henrico County Recreation and Parks events intended to commemorate the quadricentennial of the County. Librarians Chris Holliman and Peter Belton performed the Time Travel Programs three times throughout 2011. At each one, costumed actors portrayed the historical figures and videos projected on a large screen gave the audience the idea that they were actually traveling back through time. Due to their success the time travel programs have become an annual event at the Twin Hickory branch of the Henrico Public Library.