KANSAS CITY, MO.- Raymond T. Starzmann, the engaging and talented historical re-enactor returns to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Feb. 19 for a theatrical journey through the American presidency. Portraying Harry S Truman, Starzmann uses photographs, paintings, prints and sculpture to inform and enlighten the audience regarding American presidents. The hour-long program, Picturing History: Art and the American Presidency, starts at 6 p.m. in Atkins Auditorium.

Starzmann, who is on the Nelson-Atkins staff and works in the Museum Store, last performed at the Museum in 2005 creating a unique gallery program: George, Tom and Harry: 100 Years of Missouri Art and Politics in connection with the focus exhibition, Bingham and Benton: The Midwest as Muse. The program will act as a historical primer in anticipation of the mid-April opening of the reinstalled American Galleries. It also is done in conjunction with President’s Day, Feb. 16.

Starzmann has had a lifelong passion for politics and the American Presidency. A native of Philadelphia, where he attended Girard College, Starzmann earned a political science degree from Park University in Parkville, Mo. He met and visited with President Truman on several occasions, along with other presidents and notable political figures throughout the years.

In addition to President Truman, Starzmann also portrays Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson. He often gives his theatrical presentations to audiences ranging from state legislators to school children and university students, and at various political and corporate conventions throughout the country.