Rob Franklin, aka James Cockburn, practices his performance in the Bailey at Victoria Hall on July 27.
(Cobourg, ON) July 25, 2016 – At its July 18, 2016 Regular Council Meeting, Cobourg Municipal Council Declared Saturday, July 30, 2016 as James Cockburn Day in the Town of Cobourg. The Town of Cobourg will pay tribute to one of Canada’s Fathers of Confederation, James Cockburn with a one-man play titled The Life and Times of James Cockburn. Scheduled for Saturday July 30, 2016, the play will explore significant moments in the life of James and the history of the Town of Cobourg.
A graduate of the prestigious Upper Canada College, James Cockburn was a Member of Parliament for West Northumberland, a well-respected speaker of the House of Commons, held a successful law practice in the Town of Cobourg and was one of Canada’s founding fathers. In recognition of James’ contribution to both the Town of Cobourg and Upper Canada, in 1997 Robert Washburn successfully approached Cobourg Town Council to rename the Civic Holiday in Cobourg to the James Cockburn Day. Since 1998, on the Civic Holiday the Town of Cobourg pays tribute to James Cockburn and travels back in time through the enactment of The Life and Times of James Cockburn performed by Rob Franklin, Manager of Planning for the Town of Cobourg and member of the James Cockburn society.
“James Cockburn is a great Canadian figure, who is not only important to our local history, but an important figure in the founding of our nation,” said Rob Franklin, James Cockburn actor. “We are very excited by the upcoming Canada 150th celebrations and the opportunity to continue to raise the profile of this great Canadian.”
The play will take place in front of Victoria Hall at 55 King Street West at 11:00 a.m. followed by a book signing at 11:45 a.m. and an opportunity to take pictures with the actor who plays James Cockburn.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to once again work with the Town to bring this historical re-enactment to the public,” said Robert Washburn, local Northumberland County journalist and member of the James Cockburn Society. “Through our efforts in putting on this production and the free distribution of our children’s book, we hope to educate people today and help future generations to realize his amazing contributions.”
In 2014, through a generous donation from a Cobourg citizen, the Town of Cobourg and the James Cockburn Society produced a children’s book on the life of James Cockburn. The children’s book will once again be made available in paperback with black and white renditions for children to colour in. Robert Washburn and volunteers from the James Cockburn Society will hand out copies of the book to attendees of the play.
Victoria Hall & James Cockburn Room Tours
Complimentary tours of both Victoria Hall and the James Cockburn room will also be taking place on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 12:00 p.m.
For more information on James Cockburn Visit the James Cockburn website at honourablejamescockburn.ca, look for James Cockburn Society.
