The dude ranch is the original western vacation, and has many connections to the history and culture of the West and the nation. Historian Lynn Downey unearthed these stories for her new book, American Dude Ranch: A Touch of the Cowboy and the Thrill of the West. Downey’s illustrated talk will follow the dude ranch from its origins 140 years ago to the ways it has influenced film, food, clothing, and the lives of women, including the story of Nevada’s divorce ranches. Presenter: Lynn Downey is an award-winning western historian, novelist, and consulting archivist. She is the author of Levi Strauss: The Man Who Gave Blue Jeans to the World, and spoke about her book at the museum in 2017. Although she isn’t a horsewoman, she visits dude ranches often. She is also proud to say that members of her family lived in Sparks for many years in the early 20th century, and they are buried in Wadsworth. The author will be available to sign books after the talk. If you would like to purchase her latest book go to American Dude Ranch - University of Oklahoma Press (oupress.com) We will also have copies available at the lecture. Admission is $10 for adults, members and children aged 17 and under are free.
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