free (Members) / free (Non-members)
John Steinle, Director at Hiwan Homestead Museum in Evergreen, will appear as Charles Darwin to present an original living history program for all ages.
THE RELUCTANT MR. DARWIN
As the publication of his book The Origin of Species draws near in 1859, Charles Darwin has gathered a group of his friends and colleagues to advise him. Due to the revolutionary nature of his work, should he go ahead and publish it, or suppress his findings? Charles’ devoutly religious wife Emma, respectable Victorian society, his tradition-minded colleagues, and religious people everywhere would be content to see his findings remain private. On the other hand, more than twenty years of scientific research and the rivalry with his younger colleague Alfred Wallace impel Darwin to publish the book. If he does, a firestorm of criticism will engulf this shy, retiring man for stating that mankind has evolved from lower forms of life in a random process of natural selection, not from an act of divine creation. At the end of the evening, Darwin’s audience will vote on whether he should publish his book or not.
John Steinle, Administrator of Hiwan Homestead Museum in Evergreen, will portray Charles Darwin. Steinle has portrayed many historical characters over the past 35 years, including Colonel John Chivington, perpetrator of the Sand Creek Massacre; William Greenberry Russell, originator of the Colorado Gold Rush; Henry Teller, Colorado’s U.S. Senator for over 30 years; and even Alfred Packer, the Colorado Cannibal. Steinle will use Darwin’s own words to create a well-rounded portrait of this complicated man.
$5 suggested donation
Mitchell Hall
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