“In the small settlement of the Motherlode, a group of disparate characters have set up a community, held together by the formidable Emaline, hostess of the Wayside Inn. It is there that Alex, on the run from something and disguised as a teenage boy, finds refuge. But once she strikes gold, buried secrets are revealed and danger surrounds her.” –an excerpt from “Crown of Dust” by Mary Volmer.
Mary Volmer
After 1848, when gold was discovered in California, dreams of adventure and instant wealth made westward movement the all-consuming passion of the nation.
“Go West Young Man” became the catch phrase of the era, but joining these youngmen was a hardy collection of women. Prostitutes and preacher’s wives, escaped slaves and society women,reformers, teachers, saloon keepers, cross dressers, criminals…the women of the Gold Rush helped shape the region and the nation. Yet their stories have been largely forgotten.
Who were Mary Ellen Pleasant, Georgiana Kirby, Mary Hallock Foote, and Madam Mustache? If you don’t know now you will when you attend the LHS Annual Potluck and this fascinating program.
During her engaging talk Mary Volmer will explore how the interplay of fiction and history allows for the compassionate re-imagining some of California’s most famous (and infamous) female residents.
Mary Volmer was raised in Grass Valley, California and lives in our area. She was the recipient of a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to the University of Wales, Scholarship in creative writing at Saint Mary’s College, California. She is now a professor and the founding Director of the Saint Mary’s College Honors Program and happily at work on a second novel.
We’ll be selling raffle tickets for “Crown of Dust” and Ms. Volmer will be available to sign copies of purchased copies of her book.
For questions about the event and reservations, please call (925) 283-1848 or email Lafayette.history@comcast.net.
-by Julie Sullivan
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