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The Emigrant Experience at Donner Memorial State Park |
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Written by Pam McAdoo/Special to the World
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Tuesday, 18 September 2007 |
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When they hear “Donner Party,” most people with even a cursory knowledge of American history and the westward expansion think “cannibalism.” And for many, that is where their knowledge of, and interest in, Truckee’s part in the settling of the west ends.
“The Emigrant Experience,” scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Donner Memorial State Park, will offer an opportunity to move beyond the sensationalism of the man-eating Donner Party lore to explore some carefully researched and reported information about the history of our area.
The authors’ panel portion of the evening’s events will provide a look at three books about the area’s history and the authors who wrote them: Dr. Donald Hardesty, Frank Mullen, Jr., and Mark McLaughlin.
Digging for the truth
Dr. Hardesty, a professor of Anthropology at the University of Nevada in Reno, teamed up with colleagues to pen “The Archaeology of the Donner Party,” which offers an interpretation of the Donner Party story based on the careful analysis of artifacts unearthed at the sites of the Murphy Cabin in the State Park and the George Donner campsite at Alder Creek.
Back in time
Frank Mullen, Jr. compiled “The Donner Party Chronicles” from a year-long series of day-by-day accounts of the Donner Party’s westward journey which he wrote for the Reno Gazette-Journal to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the trek. Mullen, who works as a reporter for the Gazette-Journal, approached the saga as a journalist, retracing the route of the Donner Party Trail during the summer of 1996. Modern-day photographs taken along the trail by Marilyn Newman capture the variety of land forms and vistas that greeted the Party during their journey, and bring an important visual element to the narrative.
Clearing misconceptions
In his book “The Donner Party: Weathering the Storm,” weather historian Mark McLaughlin adds to his recounting of the Donner Party ordeal many details about the severe winter weather conditions in California at that time, and includes information about events which were simultaneously unfolding in Mexico and other parts of California.
A moderated approach
With a degree in anthropology from San Diego State and 20 years of experience as an Interpretive Specialist at Donner State Park, Gayle Green will bring her knowledge of the Donner Party and her many years of professional and personal association with the authors to her role as moderator of the discussion. Books by the authors will be available for sale and for signing after the discussion.
The way to the heart
The panel discussion will be followed by a chuckwagon dinner in the campground cooked up by Mike Lathbury of Smokey’s Kitchen, accompanied by the live bluegrass sounds of Sawmill Road; a “living history” Chautauqua presentation with John Sutter (portrayed by David Fenimore) and Margaret Breen of the Donner Party (enacted by Doris Dwyer); and an auction of two stunning photographs of Donner Summit and Donner Lake donated by Elizabeth and Olof Carmel of Truckee’s Carmel Gallery.
Your attendance at this magical event under the stars will support both the California State Parks and the Truckee Library. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at the Truckee Library, Bookshelf at Hooligan Rocks, Truckee Book & Bean, and Donner Memorial State Park. Don’t miss it.
Pam McAdoo is a Truckee resident, an artist and active in library issues in the community.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 September 2007 )
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