Countywide : Patriot of Revolution Rides Again

American patriot and statesman Patrick Henry arrived by horse-drawn carriage Friday and made this statement:

“Liberty is not a word. Liberty is a state of being that may never be recognized until it is lost. And if it is lost, we will need all the power we can muster to get it back.”

Henry, or at least a facsimile of the Revolutionary War-era leader, delivered his remarks at Knott’s Berry Farm’s Independence Hall during the inaugural presentation of the theme park’s summer living history program.

The educational outreach program is being offered to the public for the first time.

Knott’s Vice President Karl Holz said education, not just entertainment, has been a part of the theme park since its beginning more than 50 years ago.

The park’s school program, “Adventures in Education,” attracts more than 100,000 students a year and offers hands-on lessons in history, science and American Indian studies.

In his 20-minute discourse, “A Voice for the People,” actor Gene Collins, who portrays Patrick Henry, sends a strong message about Henry’s beliefs in the rights of the people and the principles of liberty.

“A Bill of Rights protects the people from the government,” proclaimed Collins as Henry, who wore a circa 1787 costume of knickers, knee-high white stockings, lace-trimmed shirt, black patent leather shoes with buckles, a gray wig and tricorn hat.

“The people must have the right to petition their government with their grievances. We must have the right to speak our mind!” he said. “The freedom of religion and the separation of church and state represent our ability to choose. These rights allow us to decide for ourselves, how we would like to live and allow our neighbors to do the same.”

Collins, 59, of Hacienda Heights, said his presentation not only relives history in an entertaining way, but he hopes it inspires people and gives them the desire to learn more about their country’s past.

Most people “have forgotten all the history they were taught in grade school, high school and college. They were taught to remember dates--not what happened--and that’s a shame,” he said.

William Weston, 40, of Anaheim and his wife, Robin, 39, brought their five children, ages 2 to 14, to Friday’s event because they wanted them to learn more about America’s Founding Fathers.

“We’re trying to teach them about early American history and who Patrick Henry was . . . that he was dedicated to the Bill of Rights and wanted to preserve liberty,” William Weston said. “I just want them to fully understand what the founding fathers were trying to do when they started this country.”

Performances of “A Voice for the People” will be held Tuesdays through Saturdays through Labor Day. There will be no performance Wednesday. Performance times are 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Independence Hall, across the street from the theme park, 8039 Beach Blvd.

A donation of $1.50 for adults and $1 for children under 11 is requested, which goes into the park’s educational fund. Free Fourth of July performances are also scheduled.

Admission to the replica of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, complete with a 2,075-pound Liberty Bell, is free. The park offers three hours of parking without charge.