Women and Children on the Path to California October 15, 2011

Hear an important, untold chapter of California history brought to life by University of Nevada, Las Vegas professor Peter Gough.

The Juan Bautista de Anza expedition was the first effort to bring families - including women and children - up from Spain's stronghold in Central America to Northern California.

After the expedition successfully crossed the treacherous Colorado river, the widow Feliciana de Arballo celebrated by singing a bawdy song. Enraged, Father Pedro Font brought the issue to General Anza, but Anza defended Feliciana's performance, causing a falling out between the two leaders. On October 15th, Peter Gough of UNLV will delve into incidents like Arballo's. Authentic voices of women and children in early California history are exceedingly rare, and those that exist are often overlooked. This is your chance to hear them come to life.

Anthropologist and award-winning photographer Nina Egert will also be present at the lecture, signing copies of her photo-essay "Tracing Anza's Trail: A Photographer's Journey." The book combines her stunning images of the trail today with excerpts from the explorers' diaries to relay a different sort of story about Anza's and Font's insights and struggles as they negotiate the landscape before them.

The presentation will take place in Peralta Hacienda Historical Park's Center for History and Community, a gathering place in the heart of Oakland's Fruitvale. Afterwards, stay and eat dinner in this vibrant, multicultural neighborhood!

Please RSVP to ensure seating.

This presentation is made possible by the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

Official Website: http://www.peraltahacienda.org