FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Andre Michaux portrayal Sunday at Bristol

["Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>]

You public is invited to: 

"MEETING MICHAUX"

an informative program by
Charlie Williams:  his interpretation of Andre Michaux, the famous 
 French botanist of 1785.

WHEN?        April 1, 2007 - Palm Sunday
TIME?            2:30 p.m.
WHERE?        Bristol Public Library, Conference Room
SPONSORS?     DAR Fort Chiswell Chapter and The Bristol Public Library
COST?            No Charge, compliments of the sponsors

Charlie Williams

Charlie Williams, the actor and scholar who portrays Michaux, 
 "discovered" him after researching the history of a rare tree in NC.
Williams published scholarly papers on Michaux and Magnolia 
 macrophylla in botany journals.  He was the first to highlight 
 Michaux's work in the Carolina Piedmont.

Williams inspired the first celebration of Michaux's life joining 
 the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont Abbey College, the Southern 
 Appalachian Society, The Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte and Gaston 
 Day School.  The Botanical Journal of Castanea published the symposium 
 proceedings in May, 2006.

He now serves as chairperson of the North American Chapter of the 
 Andre' Michaux International Society (AMIS), a network of scholars and 
 others interested in Michaux.  The 2007 Project of the Society is the 
 Oconee Bell Celebration held at Clemson University, March 16 - 18, 
 2007 (www.michaux.org)  Williams has given 100 presentations on 
 Michaux in 6 different states and over 35 in costume performances of 
 his one man play.  His research on Michaux has taken him to the 
 eastern US, Canada and France.

Andre' Michaux

Andre' Michaux, (1746-1802) was the most famous botanist of his 
 time, or any other time, sent to The United States by  his King to 
 collect seeds, and tree specimens to replenish the depleted forests of 
 France after so many wars with England.

Michaux  knew and interacted with our founding fathers.Thomas 
 Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.  Thomas Jefferson 
 spearheaded a request for him to take a "Trip to the West" that was 
 similar to the one drawn up for Lewis and Clarke (Michaux never went 
 on this requested expedition)!

At least 10% of the flowering plants in the Carolinas were named 
 by him.  His travels were very extensive and because of his 
 prominence, he stayed with prominent people.. He knew and made friends 
 with William Bartram, famous American Botanist.

His goal was not to gain wealth or power, but to add to the 
 catalog of human knowledge thereby improving agriculture, botany, 
 medicine, forestry and horticulture.

Michaux visited Tennessee five times and met with Gov. William 
 Blount among others.  He was the first botanist who visited the 
 rhododendron gardens of Roan Mountain