National award winner Jim Two Crows Wallen is a freelance oral historian who combines his love of history with a good story keeping you spellbound. Two Crows has been sharing stories for 25 years, averaging over 300 performances per year. The Missouri native has captured audiences spanning three continents. You, too, can become part of the story. Two Crows’ presentations are interactive and age-appropriate. His stories are carefully researched and his clothing is personally hand-designed and historically accurate. Two Crows has been recognized throughout the nation for his outstanding work. He was awarded the National Storytelling Network Service Award in 1999 and the National Pegasus Award in 2003. He was a 2004 National Storytelling Festival Exchange Place teller, a 2003 & 2005 Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center and the official storyteller of the St. Charles, Missouri, Lewis and Clark National Signature Event in 2004. Listeners are often quoted saying, “He made me feel like I was actually there!” Two Crows invites you to be submerged in history through his exciting presentations. “He was completely immersed in his subject matter, mastered from years of independent reading and by his painstaking creation of authentic-looking artifacts.
He shared his vast knowledge and kept the adults and students (even middle schoolers) spellbound. ....His special effects were his voice, gestures, costume ...no multi-million-dollar sets or computer-generated pyrotechnics. He did so much with so little.
It was great hearing him denigrate television, and open the doors to reading by holding up and citing books. This is what it’s all about.
He revels in the gritty details of history - - -the glue that makes otherwise cold facts stick in our minds.”
John Pinschmidt, Patch High School, Stuttgart, Germany
Program of the Month
Elisha Wallen, the Longhunter
The long hunters had their origins in the 17th century. Men like Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, and Davy Crockett blended Indian and pioneer culture in their dress and actions. They explored and helped settle half a continent. Their rifles and clothing were efficient, beautiful,and completely American, and they were self sufficient in the best frontier tradition. Elisha Wallen was such a man.
Jim Two Crows Wallen, is a direct descendant of Elisha Wallen, (considered the very first long hunter by most historians) and lets his audience experience Colonial history through artifacts, historically accurate clothing, while telling the compelling story of Elisha.
This program is for 4th grade and up. It is great for those studying the Colonial Period and meets many of the educational standards including social studies & communicaton arts and science.
Other Programs Available
Across the Wide Missouri - You will learn through stories and artifacts what it was like to live in the wilderness territory of the Missouri River
Into the Konza Prairie - Your family has decided to move and homestead, in Kansas, will you live in a log cabin or a sod house?
Buckskins, Furs, and Calico – This program compares the lifestyles of Native Americans, fur trappers and pioneers.
Father Christmas - Learn about traditions from long ago and how they affect our Christmas celebration today.
A Visit With Santa Claus - Listen as he tells an exciting holiday story.
John Brown “I Say Let It Be Done” - Reflections upon his childhood through abolitionist days, culminating in his capture at Harper’s Ferry (first person presentation).
Lewis & Clark “I became Befuddled a Few Times but I Weren’t Never Lost!” - Experience the expedition through the stories of the youngest member of the Corps of Discovery
A Rainstorm, A Dove, & A Rainbow! - Noah, 600 years old began a journey that changed the world forever(first person presentation).
Tipi Days -(Tepee Days) - Two Crows use of stories and artifacts respectfully teaches the history of native people during the westward expansion.
Did Granddad Really Say That? - This is a belly laughing cornucopia of Ozark tall tales and remembrances of Granddad.
Two Crows’ Fur Company - The captivating history of the extraordinary mountain men Jim Bridger, Hugh Glass, and others will be discovered through their spell binding stories.
Santa Fe Trail
Travel with Two Crows down the Santa Fe Trail. Along the way we’ll meet many cultures, diversity of terrain, hardships and rewards. Combining stories and artifacts, Two Crows guides you down that historical trail.
Wagons West – Load up the wagon, we leave in the morning on a 2000 mile journey of stories.
We’re Off! To the Gold Fields - Step back to 1849 and the California Gold Rush!
Jim Two Crows Wallen
608 E. Kansas Street
Independence, Missouri 64050-4011
