“He was a father figure“He was flawed“He was just adude Portfolio by Martin Schoeller July 2, 2026 In our national memory, George Washington is a mythic figure, cast in metal, carved in stone. His leadership, first as general, then as president, is so intertwined with the roots of this country that it is sometimes hard to separate the man from the idea of America. How does one imagine the living presence of such an icon, much less embody him?There is a small fraternity of men bold enough to try. At historical parks and commemorations from Virginia to Seattle, these interpreters (their preferred term) transform themselves into Washington. Each has his own approach, but what all their representations seek to capture is a legacy that has endured from his time to ours. If America, at least in part, is an idea, then our national project becomes, like theirs, an act of interpretation, an imperfect attempt to translate some idealized vision into the messy reality of our own time. — Ezekiel Kweku“By some strange quirk of genetics, I have Washington’s exact dimensions. Where my sleeves fall on my wrist, the size of my chest, the size of my thighs, where the breeches fall to my knees, are all identical.” John Koopman, 67, often performs while riding his horse, Bear. He has portrayed Washington for 20 years. James Fryer, 70, wears a replica of a general’s uniform that Washington designed himself. He recently completed training to portray Washington for the nonprofit Historic Philadelphia.“Some people portray George as a marble statue. I don’t do a marble George. I am interested in talking to everyone, even those who yell at me because George was a slave owner. I want to respect them, try to educate them, or maybe even inspire them.” Vern Frykholm, 77, was moved to bring his interpretation of Washington to Washington State, where he lives, after seeing a 2011 performance in Pennsylvania. Dean Malissa, 73, signs his personal correspondence, including emails, as Washington did: “Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant.” He became the Official George Washington at Mount Vernon in 2004, and held that role for nearly 20 years.“I describe him sometimes as just a dude. I look at him and think, I could see myself in the same world, making similar bad decisions or similar good decisions.” Daniel Cross, 39, portrayed a young Washington at Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg until last year. He now works with organizations around the country. Curt Radabaugh, 62, has 13,000 history books in his personal library, including several hundred about Washington. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marines and a retired police officer.“He’s a mentor, a father figure, and not only in the sense that he’s a patriarch of the country. Because I grew up without a father, he kind of became my surrogate father.” Brian Hilton, 58, says he researches Washington’s era every morning before his children get up and at night after they go to bed. He is a high school history teacher near Richmond, Va. Daniel Shippey, 57, partners on interpretations with his wife, Kelly, who portrays Martha Washington. Kelly researched 18th-century hair techniques to create her husband’s costume hairstyle. They live in Virginia.“You’re playing the myth of George Washington as well as the historical figure. I make his voice a little firmer and deeper than it probably was in real life. I play him a little funnier than he probably was. In reality, if you came to see him, he probably wouldn’t talk to you as much as I do.” Doug Thomas, 53, is Washington’s second cousin nine times removed. John Godzieba, 67, has reenacted the crossing of the Delaware as Washington every Christmas for the past 16 years at Pennsylvania’s Washington Crossing Historic Park.“In many ways I don’t look like him. My eye color is wrong. My nose is wrong. My hair color is wrong. I wouldn’t have cast myself in this role.” Ron Carnegie, 64, has portrayed Washington at Colonial Williamsburg for 20 years. Ryan Williams, 37, is a veteran who specializes in playing a young Washington during the French and Indian War. He lives in Virginia. “Some people portray Washington almost like a superhero. I like to bring out that he has faults. He’s a person like you or me.” Michael Grillo, 64, is a historical tailor who hand-sews his own clothes for reenactments. He also makes period props, including two American battle flags and pewter mugs engraved with Washington’s crest.Martin Schoeller is a photographer and director known for his close-up portraits of everyone from world leaders and celebrities to female bodybuilders. For this project, he used a large format camera to photograph 13 historical interpreters of George Washington — many of whom arrived in full uniform — over three days in Virginia and New York City.Additional reporting by Tenzin D. Tsagong. Interviews have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. Top quotes from Brian Hilton, Daniel Shippey and Daniel Cross.Produced by Sara Barrett, Danny DeBelius and Sam Whitney. Additional production by Olivia James.