Receiving many honors posthumously, Matthew Henson (1866-1955) was much overlooked throughout his entire career as an explorer. Though he travelled throughout the northern hemisphere and is acknowledged as the first man to reach the North Pole, his accomplishments were overshadowed by his colleague, Commander Robert Peary. 

Henson faced and overcame many of the limitations and struggles inherent for African Americans at the time. Orphaned at a young age, Henson worked hard to earn his way from being employed as a dishwasher, to a position as a Cabin boy, and eventually, he became a skilled navigator, and explorer.

Reflecting back he wrote two books about his experiences, “A Negro Explorer at the North Pole” and “Dark Companion”. The story of Matthew Henson’s fascinating life encourages one to believe in oneself despite the odds, and to rise above the limited expectations of others to reach any goal.

Portrayed by Keith Henley

Keith Henley’s background is one of great diversity.  He graduated South Carolina State College with a major in Chemistry and minors in mathematics and biology. Later, he went on to study Theatre Education at Camden County College Blackwood, NJ. He currently owns and operates J.O.Y. Productions, Queenie’s Homemade Sweets and Catering, & Alpha Designs. In addition he is the Artistic Director and Choreographer for Folkloric Heritage Culture Arts Company Inc. of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He began his historic interpretation career with Historic Philadelphia Inc. and has since worked for American Historical theatre and History First Hand and has performed for the Smithsonian Associates’ Teaching American History program, Historic Germantown, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia as well as local libraries.

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