Osborne Perry Anderson, or a version of him, is making a stop at West Virginia University on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

One of five African-American members of John Brown’s raiders at Harpers Ferry in 1859, and the only one to escape and remain free, Anderson will tell his story in a History Alive! presentation at 10 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room of Honors Hall.

In 1861, Anderson published the only eyewitness account of the raid, “A Voice from Harpers Ferry.” Anderson joined the Union Army during the Civil War and was active in the abolition movement.

Joseph Bundy of Bluefield will portray Anderson. He will deliver a one-hour, three-part presentation. He will open with a monologue, answer questions and break character to answer questions as a scholar.

Bundy was invited to perform for the students in Professor Cookie Schultz’s “City as Text” course as his character fits well with the material in the class.

Anderson is one of the many available character presentations offered through The West Virginia Humanities Council’s History Alive! program as a means of exploring history by interacting with noteworthy historical figures. These programs provide audiences with the opportunity to question those who have shaped history.

Bundy’s performance is sponsored by the Honors College of WVU. The History Alive! Program is sponsored by The West Virginia Humanities Council, with additional financial assistance from the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts’ Office of the Secretary

The West Virginia Humanities Council is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing educational programs in the humanities for all West Virginians. For over 30 years, the council has been providing educational programs in the humanities across the state.

For more information about the History Alive! Program or the West Virginia Humanities Council call 304-346-8500 or visit http://www.wvhumanities.org .

-WVU-

ml/02/04/11

CONTACT: Marie E. Leichliter, Honors College
304-293-2100, Marie.Leichliter@mail.wvu.edu