Buzzy Jackson, author of Shaking the Family Tree: Blue Bloods, Black Sheep, and Other Obsessions of an Accidental Genealogist.
Call to book a storytelling or slide show at your event or meeting.
Donlyn Arbuthnot, 303.926.7538
Choose from five presentations...
1. Gold! Pikes Peak or Bust
2. Boulder County Agriculture & Homesteading
3. The Migration West, A Genelogy Story
4. Hard Times, The Depression Years
5. History of Haystack Mountain (Slide show)
Details below...
Frannie's Husband, Carson, was Sheriff in Gold Hill from 1860 to 1862
1. Gold! Pikes Peak or Bust
2. Boulder County Agriculture & Homesteading
3. The Migration West, A Genelogy Story
4. Hard Times, The Depression Years
5. History of Haystack Mountain (Slide show)
Details below...
Frannie Arbuthnot returns to Gold Hill
Colorado
Colorado
Frannie's Husband, Carson, was Sheriff in Gold Hill from 1860 to 1862
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Pikes Peak or Bust! -- Frannie shares about the Gold Rush of 1859, how Colorado was mapped, how men prepared for the trip and traveled here, how they claimed their mines, found the gold and extracted it. Frannie also shares how women survived during the times that their husbands were either gone or what it was like when accompanied them in the gold camps. Frannie wears an 1860's bustled gown complete with a hand-made hat. |
Widow Phoebe, 1896
Altona, Colorado Territory
As one of the first women to homestead in Boulder County, Phoebe's story is one of agriculture in the 19th century. After explaining how she was widowed 11 days after she arrived in Valmont, Colorado with her husband, Phoebe makes her mind up to follow his dream of homesteading. She shares how to homestead and what it takes to have a successful farm. She also explains what a Grange is and how farmers organized to get the attention of the federal government, get services in rural America as well as fight the big organizations such as the rail road companies. Phoebe wears a plaid flannel dress as well as bloomers, gloves, and her all important, Grange pins.
"Donlyn Arbuthnot brings early Colorado history to life by telling the stories of her ancestors. From her period costumes, to her quick wit and character style, Donlyn holds audiences captivated. Bring the kids, they'll learn about life in old Boulder County. Bring the grandparents, they'll take a fun-filled trip back to the days long gone. You come too. Listening to Donlyn's stories is fabulous fun!"
Dina Carson –
Boulder 150 Pioneers Project; Boulder County Historian; Iron Gate Publishing
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| Mary Elizabeth Bader Arbuthnot - Haystack Mt. Golf Course Sharing the story of how this woman lived and thrived at the base of Haystack Mountain. |
Genealogy & Westward Migration
Haystack Mountain
Mary Elizabeth Bader Arbuthnot, 1920
Haystack Mountain Ranch, Colorado Territory
If you can't decide which character should choose for your program, Mary is the best! Her story is the same as every Americans who have immigrated from a distant land. She shares her experiences of immigration, migration and finally, setting down her roots as a homesteader. Mary travels across the country on foot, by wagon, and then train as she grows up in changing times. She shares her father's Civil War experiences as he leaves her behind with her new step-mother. Mary's experiences illustrate a life of joy, deep sorrow and triumph as she finally finds her home at the base of Haystack Mountain with her gold-miner husband, William Arbuthnot. Remember to ask Mary to share some of her recipes too. Mary wears a stripped black silk dress with a Dunkard's bonnet.
"Donlyn's character interpretation of Mary Bader Arbuthnot is enhanced by her total immersion in the image of this strong pioneer woman. Fielding questions from the audience is downright fun as she holds fast to her presence in the 19th Century. It takes a comprehensive knowledge of local history to pull this off, and Donlyn is a master."
Anne Dyni, Historian; Niwot Historical Society; Niwot, Colorado
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| Virginia Robinson (L.) and Florence May Hill (R.) Hunting near Red Dirt, Colorado, 1935 |
Hard Times
The Depression in Colorado
Flossy May Hill, 1934
Dust bowl days, Oklahoma to Colorado
Flossy's story is one of survival and young love. As a new resident to Boulder County during the 1930's depression, she shares her experiences as she and her family flee the dust storms of Oklahoma to live at her new home in the Rockies. With her family's food supply running short, Flossy shares the her preservation techniques, and the success of her hunting trips into the high mountains as she prepares for the coming winter. Flossy also shares what her courtship and marriage was like at a time when it wasn't so easy to pay for a wedding. And how she and her husband started their home at the poor end of Mapleton Avenue in Boulder, Colorado. Flossy wears a dress appropriate for daytime wear away from home.
"You're just blabbin', you don't have a script?
Well I think you're a real good blabber!"
-- 98 year old member of the Daughters of the American Revolution
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| Home of Fred & Margie Arbuthnot Niwot Road, with Haystack Mountain in the distance |
**New - Slide Show - New**
History of Haystack Mountain
From Golf Course to Home of the Arapaho, Going back in time
This presentation is especially designed for organizations who seek presentations on local history for their breakfast or lunch meetings. Using slides of Haystack Mountain families though the years, I give a 30 minute presentation on the activities that have taken place around and on Haystack Mountain. No costumes for this presentation, but a well received photo journey.
Call me to book a historically accurate storytelling or slide show for your event.
Donlyn Arbuthnot, 303.926.7538
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| At the graves of Mary F. and J. George Bader, Columbia Cemetery, Oct 2010 Mary and George's children - Louis, Luella, & Frankie - are also buried there. |
Appearing at:
Meet the Spirits, Boulder, CO
Meet the Spirits, Boulder, CO
Ghost of Mrs. J. George Bader, 1896
Columbia Cemetery, Boulder, Colorado
During the Meet the Spirits events held every other year one Sunday in October at the Columbia Cemetery in Boulder, Colorado, I portray Mary F. Roberts Bader (step-mother of Mary Arbuthnot above). As Mary, I share J. Geroge Bader's influence in the city of Boulder as well as the Left Hand area of North Boulder. George, as he liked to be called, was buried with honors as a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Mary as a member of the Women's Relief Corp. Come and learn what Mr. and Mrs. Bader did to make Boulder what it is today, come and hear what is still in our schools today because of the work of the Women's Relief Corps. Three of their children are also buried there, all who proceeded their parents in death.
who have held a storytelling events in the past:
Dakota Ridge High School, Jefferson County
Niwot Historical Society
Boulder Valley Parks and Recreation
Boulder Genealogy Society
Longmont Genealogy Society
Gold Hill Club, Gold Hill Museum
Boulder History Museum
Niwot Elementary School
Shepherd Valley Waldorf School
Daughters of the American Revolution (various chapters)
Carnegie Branch Library for Local History
Boulder Public Library, Friends of the Library
Lafayette Historical Society
Haystack Mountain Golf Course - History of Haystack Mt.
Boulder County Historic Preservation Advisory Board
Dakota Ridge High School, Jefferson County
Niwot Historical Society
Boulder Valley Parks and Recreation
Boulder Genealogy Society
Longmont Genealogy Society
Gold Hill Club, Gold Hill Museum
Boulder History Museum
Niwot Elementary School
Shepherd Valley Waldorf School
Daughters of the American Revolution (various chapters)
Carnegie Branch Library for Local History
Boulder Public Library, Friends of the Library
Lafayette Historical Society
Haystack Mountain Golf Course - History of Haystack Mt.
Boulder County Historic Preservation Advisory Board
St. Vrain Valley Pioneer Association
