Thomas Jefferson and the Boisterous Sea of Liberty
"The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave." — Thomas Jefferson
In this one-man performance, Thomas Jefferson revisits the most perilous political storm of his lifetime: the Election of 1800. What he called "the Revolution of 1800" was the first peaceful transfer of power between rival parties under the Constitution — a moment Jefferson believed completed the American Revolution. Yet it nearly destroyed it.
Through personal stories and political reflection, Jefferson introduces a distinction he believed essential to the survival of any republic: the difference between those who argue in good faith and those who act in bad faith. He recalls his fierce disagreements with John Adams and Alexander Hamilton — men he opposed passionately, yet trusted as honest participants in the American experiment. In contrast stands Aaron Burr, whose ambition and opportunism Jefferson, Hamilton, and Adams all saw as a far greater threat than any principled opponent.
Jefferson then expands the lesson across history. Julius Caesar, Cleon of Athens, and Napoleon Bonaparte become warnings of what happens when bad-faith ambition overwhelms public virtue, and when personal power replaces devotion to the common good. Republics do not collapse because citizens disagree — they collapse when bad-faith actors exploit those disagreements.
The heart of Jefferson's message is both sobering and hopeful: the defense of liberty does not lie in defeating those who differ from us, but in standing with them — when they act in good faith — to restrain those who do not. Self-government survives only when honorable rivals recognize their shared responsibility to protect it.
Drawing upon the ideas of Locke, Hobbes, and Montesquieu, and upon two thousand years of human struggle for liberty, Jefferson offers not a partisan answer, but a civic one: a call for courage, restraint, and trust across division.
The Boisterous Sea of Liberty is a powerful meditation on how democracies endure — not by avoiding conflict, but by choosing integrity over ambition, and hope over despair.
As with every program offered by Steve Edenbo, Thomas Jefferson concludes by answering the audience's questions about his life, experiences, decisions, and ideas.
This event is part of the JES's USA 250 Event Series.
Location: Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 11, 12-1:30PM
Admission: $15, $25 with guest. $5/person for an optional lunch.
Additional Fees: Amusement Tax, Processing Fee
*If purchasing a lunch, please register 48 hours in advance. Vegetarian option available. Thank you!
If you do NOT receive a letter from info@jeserie.org within 24-48 hours regarding your registration, please check your spam or junk folder. Thank you!
While earning his BA from Dickinson College, Steve Edenbo’s focus was research and writing, His theater experience included improvisation, and training in voice and singing. Mr. Edenbo was introduced to American Historical Theatre in 1999. He bases his interpretation of Thomas Jefferson on the insight that comes from continuing years of research and reflection, for which he was awarded a Research Fellowship at Monticello in 2008 by the International Center for Jefferson Studies. Steven also has the honor of interpreting Thomas Jefferson at Philadelphia’s Declaration House, a re-creation by Independence National Historical Parks of the building in which Jefferson lived and wrote the Declaration of Independence. He is the only person invited to interpret Thomas Jefferson at this historic site.
Mr. Edenbo shares Jefferson’s love of reading, writing, and good wine, as well as a love of the outdoors and the need to balance intimate friendships with solitude.
In 2025, the History Channel released a 6-part documentary on the life of Thomas Jefferson in which Mr. Edenbo starred in the title role. In 2026 he will be featured again as Thomas Jefferson in a documentary produced by Craig Fergusson- release date TBA.
Mr. Edenbo has interpreted Thomas Jefferson at venues that include Monticello; The National Archives, DC and NYC; Independence National Historical Park: Independence Hall, Declaration House, Congress Hall and City Tavern; The Smithsonian Institution; National Constitution Center; University of Virginia; The Jefferson Education Society; Founding Forward; Carpenter’s Hall; Hamilton Grange National Memorial; Federal Hall National Memorial; the Philly Pops at Independence Hall; Texas A & M International University; Academy of Natural Sciences; and numerous middle and high schools and colleges, and at professional improvement seminars for Judges, Lawyers, and Educators at locations throughout the United States.
