BIO:
John Bartram was
born on March 23, 1699 into
a Quaker farm family
in colonial Pennsylvania. He had a lifelong interest in medicine and
medicinal plants, and read widely. His botanical career started with
a small area of his farm devoted to growing plants he found
interesting; later he made contact with European botanists and
gardeners interested in North American plants, and developed his
hobby into a thriving business.
He
came to travel extensively in the eastern American colonies
collecting plants. Bartram is
considered the
"father of American Botany", and was one of the first
practicing Linnaean botanists in North America.
TESTIMONIALS:
“Kirk's portrayal of America's first world-class
plantsman is a masterful blend -- passionate, humorous, moving,
educational but never pedantic. Meticulous research and an obvious
affection for the subject enables him to fully inhabit the role, not
just the costume. John
Bartram took a skeptical audience first by surprise and then by
storm.” - John Friel, Green Leaf Perennials/Yoder Brothers -
Perennial Plant Association
“Kirk Brown doesn't
just portray John Bartram— he IS John Bartram. His performance is
remarkable, believable and most enjoyable. Bravo!” - Robert
LaGasse, Executive Director, Garden Writers Association
“Kirk
Brown did not imitate John Bartram, he actually became him. His
gallery of pictures and quotes and his performance added up to an
electrifying and edifying performance. Anyone who has an interest in
history or horticulture will be spellbound by this presentation.”
- Stephanie Cohen Author/lecturer
“Knowing
that Bartram was of relatively modest means, Collinson urged him to
dress appropriately for important meetings, so as not to reflect
badly on Collinson. Clearly,
Kirk Brown took this under advisement when choosing his apparel for
Philadelphia Botanical History, presented by John Bartram, presented
to the PPA. It was very well received and given enthusiastic
applause." - Judy
Glattstein, Author/lecturer
“John Bartram
may have passed away in the year of 1777, but I feel as if I know
him. Some of his wisdom
has been imparted to me. The
greatest compliment I can give for this transcendent moment is that
Kirk left me with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye.” - Jimmy
Turner, Director, Horticultural Research Dallas Arboretum
“On behalf of
the Friends of the Monmouth Museum I can't thank you enough for
coming to Bingham Hall and giving us such a wonderful presentation.
Perhaps presentation is not the most accurate word, for we all felt
as if we had been thrown back in time as we followed John Bartram
over his lifetime. It
was ‘time traveling!’ It
was such a lovely day and quite a success for The Friends. I feel it
was one of the best programs that we have put together, and a great
way to end our fund raising season.” - Monica
Ragolia, Chair, Friends of The Monmouth Museum
“As
a professional speaker myself, I have very high standards when it
comes to public presentations. I want a talk to be concise,
informative, humorous, well illustrated, perfectly paced, accessible
to the entire audience, and whole-hearted. Kirk Brown's John Bartram
presentations are all of these and more. Kirk understands how to
tailor a talk so that it's meaningful to the group that he's
speaking to, yet he does this seamlessly and without pretense. He is
amusing and quick to respond to his audience, always remaining in
character. Audiences come away from one of Kirk's John Bartram
presentations with a better knowledge of horticulture and American
history, and with inspirations and ideas that they can apply to
their own lives and work.” - C.L. Fornari, Speaker, Writer,
Consultant, GardenLady.com
“You
got the highest marks of any of our speakers in the evaluation
questionnaire from the attendants.
We all had a wonderful time.” - Pat
Dygulski, Monmouth Museum
“I
am so glad that John enjoyed himself.
He certainly charmed and delighted the 70 guests that
attended yesterday’s event. It
was the first time in my many years of coordinating special events
that I did not get one complaint!!!
They are looking forward to visiting John’s garden.
Thanks again.” - Mary R. Suszkowski, Special Projects
Coordinator, Monmouth Museum
“And
John was the best of guests! Everyone loved your story, and for me,
I was completely in the 18th century, for a while there I forgot
where I was. Thank you.” -
Kathy Pojawa, Monmouth Museum
“If you ever have the
opportunity to see Kirk Brown’s portrayal of John Bartram, grab
it! The costume, the dramatics, the history, and the humor: it was a
perfect kick-off for the conference. It was interesting to learn how
Bartram arranged his expeditions (some fairly close to home, and
others as far off as Florida – possibly to escape his family of 9
children?), and find out about the kinds of plants that his
supporters back in England were interested in (magnolias and pines,
especially). Here’s a great article about Kirk channeling John
Bartram: Bringing a Legendary Gardener Back to Life” - Nancy
Ondra, Gardening Gone Wild
“I would like to
formally thank you for bringing John Bartram to life for us during
your presentation on February 3.
It was an amazing presentation that had everyone in the
audience enthralled. It
was fabulous to travel back in time and to have history literally
come to life! John is
extremely fortunate to have someone so utterly devoted to telling
his story, snake and all. I
know you broadened the knowledge of many of my coworkers and
absolutely delighted the woman working on Franklinia at the National
Arboretum!” - Janet Draper, Smithsonian Institution
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