The Community Memorial Museum will present a book signing and program with environmental historian Dr. Jen Huntley, talking about her new book The Making of Yosemite: James Mason Hutchings and the Origin of America’s Favorite National Park. The public is welcome at the event on Thursday evening, August 9th at 7:00 p.m.

Dr. Huntley examines Hutchings’ role as leader of the first tourist expedition into Yosemite Valley in 1855, and as a tireless promoter of Yosemite and himself, who made Yosemite into a potent symbol of California’s post-gold-rush greatness. Although Hutchings has been viewed as an opportunist who exploited Yosemite and was written out of its history, Huntley explores the original history and views Hutchings as a “connector” whose activities, by extension, contributed to the Yosemite Valley being designated as America’s first federally-sanctioned park. She explores the power politics and culture wars of 19th century America’s emerging ethic of land conservation that gave birth to modern environmental movements.