Richard B. Williams to speak at CSWS

Lynell Schalk to speak on her forthcoming book "Plunder on the Plateau: A Ranger's Fight to Save the Past"

The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College will host a program by Lynell Schalk, “Plunder on the Plateau: A Ranger’s Fight to Save the Past”, on Wednesday, October 24th.

Lynell Schalk worked for the Department of the Interior for 28 years, spending all but one of those years with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). She was the only woman in the first group of 13 uniformed rangers who were delegated with federal law enforcement authority within the BLM. She later became the Special Agent-in-Charge, administering a federal law enforcement program on 16.5 million acres in Oregon and Washington. Her investigations across the Western U.S. included timber theft, archaeological theft and trafficking, and instances of wild lands arson, among other crimes. Lynell is finishing her book, “Plunder on the Plateau: A Ranger’s Fight to Save the Past”

Refreshments will be offered beginning at 5:30pm, with the program to begin at 6:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Emmons to speak October 18th at Center of Southwest Studies

Mountain Lion exhibit travels to The Museum of Northern Arizona

Mountain Lion!, opened at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff on Saturday, September 15, 2012 and will run through Sunday, August 4, 2013.

Known by many names—mountain lion, cougar, puma, panther, ghost cat, and catamount, depending on the region—these cats are solitary hunters at the top of the food chain, who rely on their camouflage, superb eyesight, and speed to survive. Like other predators, they play a critical role in the balance of nature and contribute to biological diversity and a healthy environment.

Mountain Lion! was developed by the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, in partnership with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, to address the need for greater public awareness. The Museum of Northern Arizona is able to host the exhibit with support from Arizona Commission on the Arts, BBB Revenues from the City of Flagstaff, and Flagstaff Cultural Partners.

The Museum of Northern Arizona sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, the tallest mountain range in Arizona. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and is located three miles north of historic downtown Flagstaff on Highway 180, scenic route to the Grand Canyon. Admission is $10 adults, $9 seniors (65+), $7 students (with student ID), $6 American Indians (10+), and $6 youths (10–17).

For further information, call 928.774.5213 or go to musnaz.org. 

Center to host program on ranching legend Marie Scott

The Center of Southwest Studies will host a program by local author Ginny Harrington, “Marie Scott, Ranching Matriarch of the San Juans”, on Wednesday, September 19^th.

Born in Ridgway in 1896, Marie Scott spent a good portion of her life amassing land and water for her vast ranch holdings. In her prime, it was estimated that Marie’s holdings reached 100,000 acres stretching from Ridgway, Colorado to La Sal, Utah. To this day she remains a legend in western and southwestern Colorado and was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

Ginny Harrington served as Executive Director of the Ouray County Historical Society from 2004 to 2006, and as a past board member of Colorado Preservation, Inc. Ginny is a founding member of the Ranching History of Ouray County project writing several stories for the two published volumes, and aided in the foundation of the Ouray County Ranch History Museum.

Refreshments will be offered beginning at 5:30pm, with the program to begin at 6:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. 

John Ninnemann to give talk on "Ancient Skywatchers of the Southwest" on Thursday, June 21st

As a perfect companion to celebrating the summer solstice, John Ninnemann takes us on an evening tour of the Ancestral Puebloan skywatching sites featured in his current photography exhibit at the Center, Ancient Skywatchers of the Southwest. In his lecture on Thursday, June 21st Ninnemann will explain the tradition of the skywatcher in historic Pueblos and how it helps to understand the significance of astronomy in ancient Soutwestern cultures. Reception begins at 5:30PM with the talk starting at 6:00PM in the Center's Lyceum.

Summer Solstice Window Viewing Wednesday, June 20

The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College celebrates the Summer Solstice on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Doors will open at 5:45AM.

At the dawn of the summer solstice, a spiral of sunlight makes its way across the gallery walls making for a dazzling display. In our annual celebration of summer, the Center of Southwest Studies will provide a light breakfast and drumming from Ignacio musicians. Admission and parking are free. This event is open to the public.

Situated in the upper northeast corner of the exhibit gallery, the Solstice Window is recessed into the wall. Created by Denver artist Scott Parsons as a part of Colorado’s Art in Public Places Program, the window was integrated into the building’s architecture. Parsons designed the window in tribute to the solstice markers of the Ancestral Puebloans of Southwest Colorado. The spiral cast by the Solstice Window is visible for several weeks before and after the summer solstice, but it is sharpest on solstice morning. Moving with the motion of the earth and sun, the spiral makes its journey across the gallery wall, fading as the sun rises higher in the sky.