Jane Haigh Presents Next Offering for Denali's 90th Anniversary

Date: June 27, 2007
Contact: Kris Fister, 907-683-9583

Jane Haigh, author of several popular books on Alaskan history, is giving a presentation titled “Cultural Resources and the Idea of Wilderness” on Thursday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Denali Visitor Center, located at Mile 1.2 of the Denali Park Road. She will share her unique and interesting perspective of the interface between cultural resources and wilderness in Alaska.

Haigh has a Masters Degree in Northern Studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She is the author of the recently published Searching for Fannie Quigley, A Wilderness Life in the Shadow of Mount McKinley, and Gold Rush Women, Gold Rush Dogs, and Children of the Gold Rush. In addition, she has published two photo histories: Denali: Early Photographs and The Alaska Highway, a Historic Photographic Journey. She began her career as a local historian in Fairbanks, Alaska, which she continues to call home. She has spent the last four winters in Tucson, Arizona, pursuing a Ph.D. in U.S. history at the University of Arizona. In researching Soapy Smith’s activities in Denver for her recent biography King Con: The Story of Soapy Smith, Jane came across a wealth of material that she has now decided to make con men and political corruption in Denver the focus of her dissertation.

Haigh’s books will be available for sale and signing by the author at the Denali Bookstore following the presentation.

This presentation is the fourth in the special 90th Anniversary Summer Speaker Series taking place as part of the year-long celebration of this significant milestone in Denali’s history. The schedule for the speaker series is available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/dena, along with additional information on the park’s anniversary. The series features seven Alaskan authors who have written about Denali’s cultural heritage and natural history from a variety of viewpoints. The presentations take place in the Denali Visitor Center’s Karstens Theater approximately every two weeks and are free of charge.

General information on the park and other activities is also available on the web site, or by calling the park headquarters at [phone] from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily.

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