Bend, Ore. – April 16, 2012 ‐ Teddy Roosevelt’s Oregon Roadshow, a live history performance, will visit schools, museums, and historical societies across Oregon May 7‐12. Organized by the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) and sponsored by Wells Fargo, the tour will include a stop in Bend.
The Deschutes County Historical Society is sponsoring a lunchtime event at McMenamins Old St. Francis Theater (700 N.W. Bond Street, Bend, 97701). Doors open at 11:00 am and the performance begins at 12:00 pm Tickets to the performance cost $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Space is limited, tickets can be purchased in advance at the Deschutes County Historical Society (129 NW Idaho Avenue, Bend, 97701,
open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM – 4:30 pm), and at their monthly History Pub event on April 24 (McMenamins Old St. Francis, 7 pm).
For questions about this event, please call 541.389.1813 or email info@deschuteshistory.org.
Famed Teddy Roosevelt impersonator Joe Wiegand will be joined on the tour by OHS Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk and Wells Fargo History Museum Manager Steve Greenwood. Greenwood will share his knowledge of Wells Fargo’s history in the Pacific Northwest. “After witnessing Joe’s performance to schoolchildren at OHS last year, I knew we needed to invite him back to share his talents and deep love of history across our state,” said Tymchuk. “We are thrilled to partner with Wells Fargo to bring this educational experience to schools and historical societies throughout the region.”
The tour will include stops in Beaverton, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Sisters, Salem, Prineville and Portland, among other cities. Wiegand has been bringing T.R. to life for years with his unparalleled grasp of history and uncanny resemblance to the 26th president. His depth of knowledge about the personal anecdotes in Roosevelt’s life make his audiences feel they are truly in the presence of Teddy himself.
“So many of T.R.’s contemporaries testify to the way he entertained audiences with inspirational and humorous stories from his youth, his ranching days, Cuba and the Presidency,” Wiegand said. “I really enjoy sharing T.R.’s funny stories of life in the White House with six kids and telling anecdotes from his many adventures, from bear hunts to the Panama Canal, from Africa to the Amazon.”
The tour coincides with Wells Fargo’s 160th year celebration. The financial services company opened its first Oregon office in Portland in 1852. “Wells Fargo started out with two employees and no customers. In the ensuing 16 decades, we became one of the nation’s strongest financial services companies by focusing on helping our local customers and communities throughout the U.S. succeed financially,” said Greenwood. “We’ve never lost sight of our history and the role Wells Fargo played in our country’s development of the West. We’re grateful to the Oregon Historical Society for organizing this unique educational experience and partnering with us so we can share Wells Fargo’s story.”