Sierra Speaker Series: Skirts in the Snow: Beyond the Donner Party Tragedy, presented by Alice Osborn

Location: Donner Memorial State Park, 12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

Date: Saturday, September 17 2022

Time: 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Suggested donation: $5

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.

Most of the Westward-bound pioneers who survived the Donner Party tragedy were women. Through Alice Osborn’s stories and songs, experience and find inspiration from their grit, endurance, and heroism.

Alice Osborn is an author, singer-songwriter, and Americana/folk musician whose most recent album is Skirts in the Snow—story songs from the women of the Donner Party. Alice is also in the final stages of completing The Reluctant Cannibal: a Donner Party novel that takes place in three different time periods—1846-47, 1859, and 1900—featuring William Eddy, Georgia Donner, and Nellie Eddy Anderson, William Eddy’s only surviving daughter.

Alice is an American history buff (whose own family made history) and award-winning author of four books of poetry, the most recent is Heroes without Capes; a full-length album, Searching for Paradise; and she teaches songwriting and music lessons in guitar, violin, and banjo. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the NC Writers’ Network and she is the President of the NC Songwriters Co-op. Alice lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, two teenagers, and six birds.

Learn more about Alice and her music at https://aliceosborn.com.

For more information: https://sierrastateparks.org/event/sierra-speaker-series-skirts-in-the-snow-beyond-the-tragedy-of-donner-party/

$5 State Park parking fee applies.