Alice Osborn at Donner Ski Ranch/Donner Party Rescuers LIVE

Location; Donner Ski Ranch, 19320 Donner Pass Rd, Norden, CA 95724

Date: Thursday, February, 17 2022

Time: 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. — Before the main program: Donner Party Rescuers Live program https://www.forlornhope.org/donner-party-rescuers-live/

Many of us know about the one of the worst western migration stories in our history: the Donner Party. They were farmers, merchants, and families who ventured West to California to start a new life, but half of the party did not survive. Those who did had to do the unspeakable to see the spring again in the harsh winter of 1846-1847 in the Sierra Nevada mountains. But who were they and why does their story still fascinate us today? Author, singer-songwriter, and historian Alice Osborn shares songs and stories about the Donner Party from the women’s perspective, bringing this history to life showing their grit, civility, and heroism; not only did these survivors form the first families of California, theirs is a cautionary tale about man vs. nature, Indigenous peoples, and society. Theirs is also an inspiration of how we can better treat our neighbors and be kind even when it’s difficult to do so.

Alice performs these songs inspired by the real women of the Donner Party at Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee, California during the 175th anniversary of the First Relief’s rescue of the Donner Party on February 18, 1847.