We recently connected with Aaron Bradford and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a child, Bradford heard rumors of possibly being descended from Plymouth Governor William Bradford. A journey to Plymouth confirmed that he is a 14th generation direct descendent. Governor Bradford is widely regarded as America’s first historian, who dedicated his book, Of Plimoth Plantation, to written with, “a singular regard unto the simple truth.” This made history personal!

Aaron’s incredible parents, brothers, and friends encouraged him to pursue sharing a passion for history with others in a multitude of settings. While living in Delaware, Virginia, and Georgia, Aaron marched, drummed, camped, and charged in films, battle reenactments, and delivered education presentations from steamy St. Augustine, Florida, to brisk Fort Niagara, New York. From portraying the Pilgrims and wielding a matchlock musket and sword named Victory that was a wedding present, to a Colonial British Redcoat of Oglethorpe protecting Georgia from the Spaniards at Wormsloe, to a Patriot, French, and British Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines from the American Revolutionary War, to a Soldier from the War of 1812 at Fort McHenry, to Southern and Northern Soldiers and Sailors during the Civil War, Aaron brings history to life. Reading voraciously and helping others to connect with the past has been a great joy. One participant of a reenactment said they that learned something they would not have gotten from book a book in a million years! With a long line of ancestors who defended the United States Constitution in the Armed Forces, Aaron has lived out a calling to share an appreciation for the sacrifices made by those in uniform for our Liberty with others.

Aaron, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Aaron Bradford is renowned as the Legendary and most highly rated Living Historian in the Lowcountry! For 25 years, Aaron has shared a passion for history with others. Liberty Encounters is a locally owned and operated family education business. After marrying a lovely Georgian named Ivis, Aaron has brought to the stories of Colonial Savannah to life for the past decade at various historic sites in and round about Savannah. Ivis continues a second generation sewing business called Preservation Parcels, which donates 10% of every sale of caps, housewives, and comfort kits to preserving the hallowed ground of battlefields and historic sites preservation.

In 2012, the Bradfords moved to Georgia. Aaron began working at Old Fort Jackson and the Coastal Heritage Society. He is now the Interpretive Supervisor, where he works closely with Ms. Emily Beck, the Director of Interpretation, in training staff and provide engaging programs at Old Fort Jackson, the Savannah History Museum, and conducting various outreach programs.

As Liberty Encounters, Aaron offers an immersive Colonial and Revolutionary War Savannah Walking Tour and Georgia Patriot Refugee Learning Adventure at the nearby Preserve on Whitemarsh Island. Aaron continues to research and tailor presentations to local heritage organizations as well. He believes the extra effort of toting a 10 pound Shortland Pattern Musket, playing a historic drum, and portraying a part-time, temporary, citizen-soldier of the Georgia Militia makes the story of the Georgia Patriots all the more poignant and personal. There are many historic and ghost tours offered in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is the oldest city and Colonial Capitol of Savannah.

No other tour company offers the same appreciation for the sweat, tears, courage, conviction, and sacrifices made by the Georgia Patriots as Liberty Encounters. From having participants form bucket brigades, to swashbuckling, to reliving duels, to singing historic songs while marching through the Squares, to depicting the moments behind the monuments, we help participants to connect with and better appreciate the fact that freedom is not free. We share facts and the wisdom offered by the Founders of our Constitutional Republic of what is required to maintain the blessings of liberty!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the shut downs that occurred in March of 2020, the historic sites operated by Coastal Heritage Society closed. Eventually, Aaron was furloughed. That was a first! It was a sobering and humbling wake up call. It gave urgency to begin Liberty Encounters as a business, while Aaron began employment as an Interpretive Park Ranger at Wormsloe State Historic Site part time. After four months, Aaron returned to full time employment. The months of being furloughed gave the time and opportunity to view offering history education programs from a more serious small business perspective.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

At the age of 13 years old, I began volunteering at historic sites and marching in parades, preservation marches, and taking part in living history education events with the Living History Society of New Jersey. Getting out into the community, Aaron researched and organized reenactments for friends and fellow homeschoolers with the help of knowledgeable and encouraging families who were involved in living history. He and a few friends formed a group called the Bonnets and Bayonets. They traveled to various schools where we delivered a play set in the American Civil War Era, followed by engaging learning activities. Aaron recruited friends to join me in volunteering at Fort Delaware. He began a youth volunteer program at Hagley Museum and Library, which gained corporate sponsorship, continued for over 25 years, and is the oldest running volunteer program at the organization. This led to him earning the 2001 Delaware Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. He also began a nine-year term of volunteering at Fort McHenry.

Upon moving to Virginia, Aaron continuing organizing and delivering living history events. Since moving to Georgia, for the past 10 years he has continued an outstanding reputation by serving at various historic sites, including Wormsloe State Historic Site. Beyond being actively engaged with various sites and organizations, Aaron has earned hundreds of reviews from Teachers, Administrators, Supervisors, and Participants. Being able to share quotes with images on social media allows him to document and share with others the effect of engaging living history presentations that enlighten and inspire!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.libertyencounters.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/libertyencounters
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/LibertyEncounters/
• Other: libertyencounters.com