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78 Historical Characters for hire nationwide

Col. George Washington

5.0 (5)
3 Verified bookings

  • Latrobe, PA
  • Historical Character
  • 54 miles from Altoona
  • Contact for rates

Barbara L. said “Col. George Washington was absolutely wonderful. His presents with the community was superb. Everyone loved him including me. Thank you so very much Dr. Bill. ”

How to Live in a Medieval Manor

1 Verified booking

  • Lititz, PA
  • Medieval Entertainment / Historical Character
  • 113 miles from Altoona
  • Contact for rates

How to Live in a Medieval Manor - Renaissance Manners and Customs Knight Games and Peasant Pastimes On Beggars, Thieves and the Black Death The Peasant Trial
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Big Biz Entertainment

4.89 (41)
Top Performer
67 Verified bookings

  • Joppa, MD
  • Corporate Entertainment / Historical Character
  • 132 miles from Altoona
  • Contact for rates

Angelika R. said “I had the pleasure of hiring FDR as a performer for our recent corporate event. Prior to the occasion, FDR maintained clear and consistent communication, ensuring all details were properly... ”

  • Arlington, VA
  • Science/Technology Expert / Historical Character
  • 133 miles from Altoona
  • Contact for rates

The Natural Philosopher LLC performs science related interactive demonstrations in the persona of notable historic men of science such as Isaac Newton, Tycho...
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Benjamin Franklin by Barry Stevens

4.97 (28)
Top Performer
57 Verified bookings

  • Washington, DC
  • Historical Character
  • 133 miles from Altoona
  • Contact for rates

Nicole C. said “I hired Barry for a surprise for my husband during his birthday party at my house. From the very first conversation he was so lovely, kind, and accommodating. He went out of his way to ask questions... ”

Frederick Douglass

5.0 (2)
1 Verified booking

  • Washington, DC
  • Historical Character
  • 133 miles from Altoona
  • Minimum $1200.00

Melody S. said “I ran into Nathan...AKA Fredrick Douglas at the Freedom Festival in Osawattomie, KS. Home of John Brown Musiem. He was an excellent Educator and his apparel made him ever so the time. I highly... ”

George Washington LIVE!

4.96 (6)
5 Verified bookings

  • Mount Vernon, VA
  • Leadership/Success Speaker / Historical Character
  • 141 miles from Altoona
  • $476 for short travel gigs; $1776 up for keynotes

Mindy C. said “James was a true delight to work with. As George Washington, James attended a wedding reception to read and present a Proclamation for the newlywed couple. Additionally, he assisted with cutting... ”

Mark Twain Reflects

3.30 (2)
1 Verified booking

  • Schnecksville, PA
  • Historical Character
  • 146 miles from Altoona
  • $400 - $500

Gj W. said “Mark Twain and his stories come to life. Charles is a gifted storyteller! Not only does he have a warm and wonderful persona, he is witty and well educated. If your venue is along a river, consider... ”

Benjamin Franklin Impersonator

5.0 (7)
Top Performer
19 Verified bookings

  • Chester Springs, PA
  • Historical Character
  • 149 miles from Altoona
  • $375 - $1200

Philip said “Made everyone understand the importance of History and the photos, just AMAZING!! ”

18th Century Living History

1 Verified booking

  • Charlottesville, VA
  • Historical Character
  • 172 miles from Altoona
  • $100$ and up

Looking for excitement at your next event? Have an interpretive historian join your party! From indepth scholarly presentations and speeches on famous figures...
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BEN FRANKLIN

5.0 (20)
Top Performer
56 Verified bookings

  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Historical Character
  • 175 miles from Altoona
  • $450.00 - $2,500.00

Mike N. said “Simply stated, it was great! Our residents could not have spent a more enjoyable Sunday afternoon. Many kudos to your "Sir Winston Churchill" show. Thanks so much. Let's do another of your characters... ”
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Benjamin Franklin

5.0 (15)
20 Verified bookings

  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Historical Character
  • 175 miles from Altoona
  • $776 to $1776

Devin N. said “Ben Frank was a legend. He showed up and didn't skip a beat. Funny and super knowledgeable, he dropped knowledge and won in trivia against a past Jeopardy guy (our bachelor). Super fun and highly... ”

Famous American Women - History Alive!

4.86 (14)
24 Verified bookings

  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Historical Character
  • 175 miles from Altoona
  • $325 and up

Michele D. said “Pat did an amazing job as Martha Washington at a corporate event for us. She was able to mingle with all of our guests and tailor her conversation to pertain to our industry while still representing... ”

The Founders Live

1 Verified booking

  • Troy, VA
  • Historical Character
  • 178 miles from Altoona
  • $400 and up

I provide first person historical interpretation of early American historical figures from the 17-20th centuries. Common portrayals are Thomas Jefferson,...

George and Martha Washington

4 Verified bookings

  • Newtown, PA
  • Historical Character
  • 183 miles from Altoona
  • Contact for rates

George and Martha Washington can come to your event for an appearance, a parade, a simple meet and greet or you can book a show called "George and Martha- A...

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Quick facts for Historical Characters

656 quotes sent

In the past year, Historical Characters have sent 656 quotes to event planners.

178th most popular

Historical Characters rank #178 in popularity out of 539 categories on GigSalad.

4.9 out of 5 stars

There are 229 Historical Character reviews on GigSalad with an average rating of 4.9 stars.

2.3 days on average to book

From request to booking, it takes 2.3 days (on average) to hire a Historical Character.

FAQ about hiring Historical Characters

A historical character performer is a trained actor or entertainer who portrays a notable historical figure in an educational, interactive, or theatrical context. These performers research and embody their characters through period-accurate costuming, first-person storytelling, and historically grounded dialogue. Common portrayals include figures like Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman, Mark Twain, Amelia Earhart, and many others spanning a wide range of eras and cultures.

Pricing depends on factors like the performer’s experience and level of specialization, the format and length of the appearance, your event location, and whether the engagement includes a formal presentation, an interactive Q&A, or a roaming character experience.

Historical character performers are a natural fit for school events and library programs, museum events, festivals, corporate presentations, themed dinner parties, and gatherings for holidays like Presidents’ Day or Independence Day. They’re also a popular choice for private events where a specific historical era or theme anchors the occasion.

Most professional historical character performers invest significant time in researching their characters, studying primary sources, period language, documented biographical details, and historical context. The depth of that research varies by performer, so if historical accuracy is a priority for your event, it’s worth asking specifically about their research process and sources during the booking conversation.

In many cases, yes! Performers can often tailor the focus of their presentation to align with a specific theme, curriculum topic, or event narrative. A portrayal of Amelia Earhart, for example, might emphasize her aviation achievements for a STEM-focused program or her role as a trailblazer for women in a history or leadership curriculum. Share your goals when you reach out and ask what customization is possible.

About booking Historical Characters

Hiring a historical character can bring charm and intrigue to corporate events, school assemblies, weddings, birthday parties, and more. Characters like George Washington or Albert Einstein make history feel alive, adding a memorable, entertaining twist to any gathering. Find the perfect historical impersonator to give your guests an experience they won’t forget!

The cost to hire a historical character varies based on location, the character’s popularity, and the length and type of performance. For instance, a quick meet-and-greet with Abraham Lincoln might cost less than a full hour-long reenactment or speech, complete with historical attire and immersive storytelling. Reach out to the historical characters above to get a personalized quote for your event.

As you browse for your ideal historical figure, review profiles, watch videos of past performances, and read past client feedback to ensure you’re booking a character who’s both authentic and engaging. Communicate important event details, like timing, venue space, and any special requests, so they can deliver the perfect performance for your audience.

Once you’ve found the perfect historical character, complete your booking through GigSalad. Our full-service platform makes it easy to hire all types of party entertainment. Talk to providers, confirm the details of your agreement, and make a secure payment all in one place. Every GigSalad booking is protected by our Worry-Free Guarantee, so you can rest easy knowing we’ve got your back. Just relax and enjoy the show!