James Jay G. Harrison
Living History Interpreter (First Person Portrayer) Reenactor Actor @James Monroe Museum
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WORK HISTORY
Living History Interpreter (First Person Portrayer) Reenactor Actor @James Monroe Museum
For 39 years, I have regularly portrayed James Monroe from soldier to stateman to diplomat to 5th United States President, in more than 300 living history productions, school programs, festivals, plays, vignettes, tours and other special events at the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library in Fredericksburg, Virginia and at other venues such as historic properties, parks, sites and cultural institutions. I develop and write my own scripts as well as coordinate, choreograph, direct and integrate the performances of other actors (paid and volunteer) involved with my presentations. I have also led educational programming, such as tours, for diverse audiences (i.e, small and large groups of visitors, dignitaries, media representatives, museum professionals, students, scholars and the general public) on the life and times of James Monroe at the James Monroe Museum. As a public interpretation expert, I also mentored a Stafford High School (Virginia) senior in her research and on her program presentation on \"Working Women in Colonial America\" as part of her Commonwealth Governor\'s School project. Served as a collaborator and a subject matter expert for the 1st-ever Native American exhibit,\"Lasting Legacy: James Monroe and the Native Nations,\" which opened on Tuesday evening, November 18, 2025 at the James Monroe Museum.
EDUCATION
William & Mary
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Anthropology with a Concentration in Historical Archaeology
SKILLS
ABOUT JAMES JAY G. HARRISON
47 years of professional, mostly concurrent experience to date which includes demonstrated skills in the museums and cultural institutions industry (39 years); project management (43 years); cultural resource management (CRM - archaeology and historic preservation) consulting (18 years); historical properties and park management (33 1/2 years); non-profit organizational management (8 years); archival and historical research (47 years); justice, accessibility, cultural diversity, equity and inclusion proficiency through historical research, interpretation and programming for indigenous Americans, African Americans and Hispanic Americans (47 years); downtown business and historic district planning (8 years); grant management/development/fundraising (25 years); public programming/event management (47 years); personnel management, including paid staff and/or volunteers (43 years); visitor services (23 years); and social media outreach (21 years). Also, a seasoned, 1st-person living history interpreter/actor (39 years). Competitive long-distance runner having competed in 18 half marathons, 25 marathons and 1 ultra marathon from May 2011 through October 2019; still running after retiring from racing in 2024; gym enthusiast/regular; hiker; and explorer of all things historic.
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