Harrison Memorial Library

The Henry Meade Williams Local History Room proudly announces its 2012 Local History Lecture Series!

Admission to each of the 4 events is free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first- served basis.

JANUARY: Early Carmel & Founder Frank Devendorf

Join wine maker and Carmelite Jack Galante as he traces the regional history and development of the City of Carmel beginning in 1902. Mr. Galante is the great-grandson of Frank Devendorf. The library manages a rare collection of archival documents for the City of Carmel that his mother, Jane Galante, recently donated.

Date & Time: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at 7 p.m.
Location: Sunset Center, Carpenter Hall
Speaker: Jack Galante

FEBRUARY: Steinbeck & Jeffers

Dr. Susan Shillinglaw is a professor of English at San Jose State University and Scholar-in-Residence at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. She has published widely on Steinbeck, most recently A Journey in Steinbeck’s California (2006). Join Dr. Shillinglaw for a talk about two famous regional authors, John Steinbeck and Robinson Jeffers.

Date & Time: Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at 7 p.m.
Location: Sunset Center, Carpenter Hall
Speaker: Dr. Susan Shillinglaw, Professor & Researcher

MARCH: Big Sur Landmark: The Esalen Institute

There is the wonder of the place itself: 120 acres of fertile land carved out between mountain and ocean, a cascading canyon stream and hot mineral springs set upon a seaside cliff. The Esalen Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Join Gordon Wheeler for a presentation about the history, programs and people that make Esalen a regional and world renowned destination for education, spiritual development and relaxation.

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at 7 p.m.
Location: Sunset Center, Carpenter Hall
Speaker: Gordon Wheeler, President, Esalen Institute

APRIL: Prehistory of the Monterey Peninsula, Esselen Indians & Their Rock Paintings

While almost every culture that practiced rock art used the hand as a motif, the handprints left by the Esselen Indians in a few remote caves hidden deep in the wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest of central Monterey County are among the most unusual. Join Gary Breschini as he talks about the prehistory of the region and the carefully painted rock drawings that are the unique signatures of the individuals who painted them.

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 7 p.m.
Location: Sunset Center, Carpenter Hall
Speaker: Gary S. Breschini, Researcher Monterey County Historical Society

THE LOCAL HISTORY SERIES IS FUNDED by the Frank and Eva Buck Foundation and Robert and Lacy Buck, whose generosity have made this popular community program possible for twenty-one years.