Author Talk: The Troubled Life of Peter Burnett by Gregory Nokes

September 27, 2018 @ 7:00PM — 8:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Join us for this special event as we learn about the troubled life of the first Governor of California, Peter Burnett, from Author Gregory Nokes. The Troubled Life of Peter Burnett explains this complicated man who was handed extraordinary authority in both Oregon and California, yet proved unable to exercise it.

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Join Friends of Sutter's Fort and the Sacramento Pioneer Association for a talk by special guest author, Gregory Nokes taking place in the Distillery at Sutter's Fort State Historic Park. During the talk, Nokes will discuss his newest book, The Troubled Life of Peter Burnett.

Nokes says, " Peter Burnett had the most impressive resume of any early leader in the American West: a defense attorney for Mormon leader Joseph Smith in Missouri; the first captain of the 1843 wagon train from Missouri to Oregon; Oregon's first supreme judge; a member of Oregon's first elected legislature; blazed the first wagon road from Oregon to California in 1848, and played a lead role in developing the city of Sacramento. In 1849, he was overwhelmingly elected the first governor of California, and later served on the California Supreme Court. Yet he's been virtually forgotten in both states. His downfall was his racism, underscored by his advocacy of exclusion laws against blacks with the goal of establishing the West as an all-white enclave. He seemed to have no other agenda, even as California's governor. Those who once supported him were embarrassed by him and quickly turned away. He resigned after less than two years."

The Troubled Life of Peter Burnett explains this complicated man who was handed extraordinary authority in both Oregon and California, yet proved unable to exercise it.

We are pleased to announce that Pulitzer Prize winner Jack Ohman from The Sacramento Bee will join us at this event to introduce Mr. Nokes.


PRICING

  • $12.00 General Admission
  • $8.00 Student and Teacher Admission (an active school ID is required)
  • Free Member Admission Not a Member? Join Today! (Please note that current membership will be verified prior to event)
  • Special Book & Ticket Combo: $27.00
  • Tickets are non-refundable or transferable

About Gregory Nokes

R. Gregory Nokes has traveled the world as a reporter and editor. He is author of three non-fiction Western histories. His latest book is The Troubled Life of Peter Burnett: Oregon Pioneer and First Governor of California, published this year by Oregon State University Press. His earlier books are Massacred for Gold: The Chinese in Hells Canyon in 2009, and Breaking Chains: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory in 2013, both also published by OSU Press. A native of Oregon, Nokes did his undergraduate work at Willamette University. He attended Harvard University as a Nieman Fellow in 1971-72. Nokes and his wife, Candise, live in West Linn, Oregon.

Recent Media for Troubled Life of Peter Burnett

California's first elected governor sought a white-enclave. His racism was his undoing

First Wednesday—The Troubled Life of Peter Burnett

EVENT DETAILS

This special presentation is scheduled to run approximately 1 hour and will take place in the Distillery Room within Sutter's Fort State Historic Park. Question and Answer period will follow, along with a meet and greet and book signing with author.

Please check-in at the East Gate at least 10 minutes before the presentation begins. The gates will be closed shortly after the start of the presentation.

No food or beverages other than water are allowed inside Sutter's Fort.

For more information, please contact Kyle Floyd, Marketing and Membership Coordinator, via email at kfloyd@suttersfort.org.

All proceeds from this event will support our ongoing efforts to provide critical funding for educational programming and preservation and restoration projects at Sutter's Fort State Historic Park.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF SUTTER'S FORT

The Friends of Sutter's Fort is a 501 (C) (3) cooperating association dedicated to the preservation and protection of Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and is the proud supporter of its many educational and interpretive programs.