October 11, 2003
Mr. Mike Wilson of Niles,Ohio portrayed President William McKinley during the entire Columbus Day weekend "Celebrate Adams" 225th birthday activities. He began the weekend by appearing on the Northern Berkshire Community TV program "Slingshot" on Thursday evening.
After presenting a wonderful assembly for the grade 3,4 & 5 children at C.T. Plunkett Elementary School on Friday, Mike and his wife Bonnie shook hands with Plunkett students as they left school at the end of the school day. The kids are still wondering how President Mckinley could be so old, yet still alive!
On Saturday, Oct.11, both Mike and Bonnie participated in the rededication ceremony of the McKinley Statue. After the ceremony they spent the afternoon signing autographs and speaking with people at the street fair celebrating Adams' 225th Anniversary.
We are very grateful to both Mike and Bonnie for the amazing job they did in making William McKinley "come alive" during our celebration, for giving Adams children an appreciation of their town's heritage and for sharing some of the history of President McKinley as it related to our town with the citizens of Adams.
President William McKinley
as portrayed by Mike Wilson of Niles, Ohio
Mike Wilson is the executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association (HBA) of Mahoning Valley, Ohio.
Mr. Wilson began portraying William McKinley as a hobby in 1991, and has presented our nation's 25th president to hundreds of civic, church, school, and historical groups. He was the featured performer in 1994 for the for the National Travel Writers Association.
In addition to his performances, Mr. Wilson served as the National McKinley club's president in 1994. He is a lifetime member of the Friends of the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial and Library located in Niles, Ohio.
Mr. Wilson performs at the McKinley club banquet, which is held annually on the president's birthday in January.
In 1999, Mr. Wilson was filmed for C-SPAN, while giving one of McKinley's famous front porch speeches. It is shown on C-SPAN as part of their series on the presidents. He was also featured on PBS television in 2003.
In addition to his presidential hobby, which he does not charge for, Mike is on the football coaching staff for Conneaut High School, and as a first responder for FEMA was activated for several tornadoes, floods, and the September 11th tragedy.
During our town of Adams' 225th birthday celebration, Mike and his wife Bonnie presented the history surrounding our 25th president, and performed excerpts of various speeches of William McKinley.