Robert Bela Wilhelm, Th.D.
Robert is a folklorist, mythologist and storyteller. He received his doctorate in storytelling as a sacred art. He co-founded Storyfest Journeys in 1981.
Mary Jo Kelly Wilhelm, Ph.D.
"Kelly" is adjunct faculty at Shepherd University. She received her doctorate in travel and tourism from the University of Maryland. She co-founded Storyfest Journeys in 1981.
Orkney Scotland May 20-27
Iceland - September 23-30
For thirty years Robert Bela Wilhelm has been telling the Icelandic sagas across North America. The stories are dramatic, realistic, and filled with colorful characters from a thousand years ago.
For ten years, Robert and Mary Jo Kelly Wilhelm have been bringing specialty tours to Iceland focusing on the landscape, the people, and the sagas.
In the past we have explored general themes about Iceland: history, the stories, the natural environment. But this time we are focusing on the greatest of all the sagas, a story that is one of the masterpieces of world literature, Njal's Saga.
Discover Enjoy exploring this story in the places where the events actually happened -- in the stunning landscape of South Iceland.
September 23-30, 2012: Njal's Saga at Skalholt in South Iceland
If you would like to know more about our Iceland Storyfest, please email us now. Otherwise click on the arrow above to read more about our journey to Iceland.
Hawaii January 13-20
Since 1992 Bob and Kelly Wilhelm have been visiting Hawaii almost every year. During many of those visits, we have brought Storyfest Journeys to the Big Island of Hawai'i.
In the past, our focus has been on Native Polynesian stories, histories, and traditions. But in January 2013, we will offer a Storyfest on the great American and European writers who wrote so passionately about Hawaii and the South Pacific. They are all master storytellers: Robert Louis Stevenson, Jack London, Isabella Bird, Mark Twain, and others.
We are returning to our favorite hotel in Hawaii, in the historic coffee belt district of Kona (where many of the classic stories are set.)
January 13-20, 2013: Stories of Hawaii and the South Pacific at Manago Hotel, Hawaii
If you would like to know more about our Hawaii Storyfest, please email us now:
Potomac Heritage TBA
Our home is in the historic Upper Potomac River, in the Appalachian foothills. We have brought groups here many times with programs focusing on the stories and the sites of the Colonial Frontier, the American Revolution, and the Civil War. Would you be interested in joining us?
Hidden Florida TBA
Our winter home is on the historic Saint Johns River in Central Florida. Our focus is on the early history from Spanish and British colonies, to the rich history of following generations. St. Augustine and the Franciscan missions to the Timacua native peoples, the Utopian British colony of New Smyrna, French Pirates and Confederate privateers, sugar and indigo plantations, the travels of James Audobon and John Muir. the Seminole wars, the riverboats along the "river of lakes", the Saint Johns River. The Lumber Boom, the Citrus Boom, the coming of the Snow Birds on the first railroads, the writings of naturalist Billy Bartam, african-american Zora Neale Hurston, and novelist Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
Would you be interested in knowing more?
Future Storyfests
We are planning additional storyfests, and would value your comments. Please email us on the forms at the bottom of the following pages with any questions or suggestions.
