MOUNT VERNON – On Thursday, Oct. 27, Benjamin Frayser will portray James A. Garfield, the 20th United States President. 

The program will be at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon) at 7 p.m. The Chautauqua Series is brought with the help of a grant provided by the Ariel Foundation and is offered on a donation basis, with all monies collected going to the performer.

This program will follow the usual first-person living history, with Frayser portraying President Garfield, the lawyer and Civil War general who served nine terms in the House of Representatives and was the only sitting member of the House to be elected president. Before his candidacy for the White House, he had been elected to the U.S. Senate by the Ohio General Assembly, a position he declined when he became president-elect. After Frayser gives his presentation, he will take questions from the audience. 

Chautauqua programs are intended for all who wish to know more about history in a family friendly, entertaining manner and go beyond the history books, with presenters thoroughly researching the people they portray to realistically show the whole person. 

Note: masks are not required but will be provided, and hand sanitizer will be available as well for those who prefer to use a mask and sanitize their hands. 

The next program for this season: 

Nov. 17 – Raylene Hlavaty portrays Jane Austen. 

For more information about these programs, visit www.elixirpresents.com.