Sonoma’s “Professional Multiple Personality Artiste” is at it again. Since 2001, historian and actor George Webber has portrayed General Vallejo, Count Haraszthy, Mark Twain, Professor Vine, and many others in walking tours, appearances, and lectures.
Beginning May 23, Webber is adding three more historic characters to his repertoire: Reverend Thaddeus Minor Leavenworth, Captain Henry Earnest Boyes, and Rudy Lichtenberg—the three people most responsible for creating the oasis of relaxation and hot water known today as the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa.
Capt. Boyes is the most well-known; it was in 1898 that the English Naval Captain—turned hot water impresario—petitioned the Northwest Pacific railroad to add a stop at his Agua Rica Hot Springs Resort. In 1901 they did so, and called it “Boyes Hot Springs,” thus keeping the Captain in the public eye ever since.
“I am truly thrilled with this new project,” says Webber. “The beautiful and historic Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is a marvelous stage set; bringing the Reverend, the Captain, and the Pitcher to life on the grounds where they walked will be a hoot.”
Creating valid and historically accurate living history requires extensive research, and to pull off this ambitious endeavor Webber has brought in a fellow actor-historian, C.W. Bayer.
For the last two years they have been a two-man performance team called the History Buskers, and have brought their original theatrical piece, “The Condensed History of Wine,” to the Sonoma Plaza, and local wineries.
Combing the historical record, these two history sleuths have uncovered little-known facts that make for an exciting and comprehensive tour. In the one-hour Agua Rica Tour, visitors will be led around the grounds of the beautiful resort by Webber or Bayer—will explain its history—and at times change hats to portray the three main characters.
The Agua Rica Tour runs 10 to 11 am, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting May 24. Attendees are invited to meet at the 38 Degrees North Lounge off the lobby of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa, 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma. Tours are $25 per adult, children free and welcomed. Reservations required via AguaRicaTour.com. The public is invited to attend the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11 am on Friday, May 23.
