The county seat of Hunterdon is Flemington, possibly best known globally for conducting the trails surrounding the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby in the 1930s.
Because of the special significance of Lindbergh to the county, a special series of Lindbergh events was held during the last week of April and first week of May. As a highlight to this series, Steve Carroll brought his play, “Charles Lindbergh: The Lone Eagle” to the very historic Flemington courthouse where the trial took place.
Mr. Carroll brought to life for the audience the person of Charles Lindbergh from the moment he walked into the room. He described Lindy’s barnstorming days with vigor, related the tedious solo flight to Paris, cleverly portrayed the meeting and marrying of Anne Morrow, and finally the joy of becoming a father … until the kidnapping of his beloved 20 month old son. The second act of the play dealt with the trial, the need to leave this county and move to Europe, the regard of him by the Germans and receiving of various awards. It continued with his returning to the United States and his involvement with the U.S. Army Air Corps in WWII with a fascinating account of his shooting down a Japanese fighter plane. Then very delicately he moved into the extra marital affairs of both Anne and himself. And finally, he discussed the preparation of how, where, and so forth of his own burial.
Mr. Carroll performed the play on Saturday, May 3 and a matinee on Sunday, May 4. On both occasions he received a rousing standing ovation. He BECAME Charles Lindbergh and was there to set the record straight about his life. Afterwards, he answered numerous questions and expounded on areas concerning Lindbergh’s family, finances, and observations appropriate to his thinking at the time of his life. It was very apparent that Mr. Carroll is both an exceptional writer and actor, and had done his homework and performed expressively, efficiently, effectively and exquisitely!! A must-see!!
Katherine Mehner
Event Chair
Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee