The Portrayal of Oliver Wolcott

Hosted by the County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes. Free Admission and Open to the Public. Parking is accross North Market Street from the historic Shreve Presbyterian Church.

Portrayer John Burke is a student of Indian lore since he was in Order of the Arrow as an Eagle Scout, John  offers interpretations of more than a dozen different Native Americans and historic figures, each dressed in regalia he has made using period materials, often duplicating authentic museum pieces. John is a lifelong resident of Medina County and traces his ancestry back to the first pioneers in Valley City in the early 1800s. Well known for his Native American interpretations, John has lectured at schools, libraries, senior centers, parks, scouts and historical and fraternal organizations, as well as being a key participant at Medina County Parks’ Pioneer in the Park Weekend each October. 

Nationally, John has portrayed Lakota Sioux war chief Crow King in the 125th anniversary reenactment of Custer’s Last Stand at the Little Bighorn in Montana in 2001. In 2009, he participated in the 250th anniversary of the siege of Fort Niagara with 3500 British, French and Indian reenactors. In 2012, he was at the 200th anniversary reenactment of the siege of Fort Meigs. John has also portrayed Captain Wolf, a Lenapi (Delaware) Indian who lived in Medina County and was active in the War of 1812. In addition, he has participated in other national events including the Eastern Primitive and Old Northwest Rendezvous.

John lives in Medina Township with his wife Lisa and son Matthew and has been Medina County Treasurer since 1994. 

?Originally from Connecticut and a Yale educated lawyer, Wolcott was also a soldier in the French and Indian War, a major general of the Connecticut militia and  a Founding Father who signed both the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation. Find out the true story of the Declaration of Independence and some interesting anecdotes about some of the other Founding Fathers.