Noted author to speak about founding fathers March 7

From press release

WOODSTOCK, Ill.—The Tony Award-winning musical 1776 provides an entertaining way of learning about how our Founding Fathers came to the decision to separate from Britain and to create the document that came to be known as the Declaration of Independence. TownSquare Players (TSP), Inc., is presenting the musical at the Woodstock Opera House nine times over three weekends starting March 5.

As a special added attraction, TSP is bringing in a noted U.S. history expert, Professor Joseph Morton of Crystal Lake, Ill., to give a free half-hour talk about “Jefferson, Franklin and Adams: Who Were They, Really?”

Morton’s address will begin at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 7, in the Community Room at the Opera House, one hour before TSP’s 3 p.m. matinee performance of the musical that features Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and other members of the Second Continental Congress.

Professor Morton has a wide-ranging background. He is professor emeritus at Northeastern Illinois University, and has bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Maryland. He has authored 12 articles in various historical journals and encyclopedia, 42 book reviews and review articles in historical journals, and two books (The American Revolution and Shapers of the Great Debate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787). He has been a trustee at Harper College, a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and a visiting professor in the People’s Republic of China. He also recently started a weekly column, “On This Day,” in the Northwest Herald that shines a spotlight on key events in America’s history that occurred on that particular month and day.

TSP encourages those attending the musical March 7 to arrive early to get a better understanding of the people and events of 1776, and while a ticket is required to see the musical, no ticket is required to listen to Morton’s presentation.