Arizona State Parks - Press Release

ARIZONA STATE PARKS
For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partnerships.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, pio at azstateparks.gov or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997
*************

Educational Presentations at Riordan
Mansion State Historic Park in June

(Phoenix, Arizona - May 31, 2007) - Riordan Mansion State Historic Park will present educational presentations in June.

On Saturday, June 9 at 7 p.m., as part of the Evening Slide Presentation Series, Jerry Snow, docent at Museum of Northern Arizona, will present "The Beale Wagon Road, 150th Anniversary." In 1857, Congress authorized retired Lieutenant Edward F. Beale to survey a wagon road from Fort Defiance, New Mexico Territory, to the Colorado River along the 35th parallel. A secondary mission was to test the feasibility of using camels in the Southwest. In September of 1857, the Beale survey party passed through what is now Flagstaff with 50 men, 100 mules, 10 wagons, 22 camels and more than 300 sheep. In 1858, Congress authorized construction of the wagon road from Ft. Smith, Arkansas to the Colorado River. The first homesteaders in the Flagstaff area came from California on the Beale Wagon Road in the 1870's. This slide presentation will feature areas on the road between Leupp and Seligman, Arizona. Since seating is limited, please make reservations by calling the Park at (928) 779-4395.

On Tuesday, June 12th at 12:15 p.m., as part of the Brown Bag Lunch Lecture, Sean Evans will present "Route 66: Wheels of Research Keep Turning." Come learn about the new and exciting National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. It has now evolved to include libraries/archives/museums to create an eight state, 10 research center network for travelers, researchers, tourists, etc. In particular, learn about how the NAU Cline Library collects, preserves and digitizes materials. Also how recent classes have begun to use the NAU collections to create significant new research involving Route 66.

On Saturday, June 23 at 7 p.m., as part of the Evening Slide Presentation Series, Wayne Ranney, geologist, will present "Carving Grand Canyon." For almost 150 years geologists have puzzled over the formation of the earth's grandest gorge. Too big to be known easily, Grand Canyon continues to baffle those who search for clues to its enigmatic beginning. Many theories have been developed to try and explain the mystery but none have been accepted as a valid, comprehensive truth. Geologist Wayne Ranney, author of the award-winning book "Carving Grand Canyon," will discuss some of the fabulous ideas that relate to the formation of this world class landscape. Ranney will be signing copies of his book after the lecture.

For more information about events at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park or to make a reservation, call the park at (928) 779-4395. Park hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Riordan Mansion tours begin each hour. The first tour is at 9 a.m. and the last tour is at 4 p.m. Tour reservations are recommended.

Regular entrance fees are $6 for adults, $2.50 for children ages 7 to 13, children ages 6 and younger are free. Riordan Mansion is located next to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff on Riordan Road.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.

-end-