Chautauqua – “Stephen T. Mather in Nevada”

“Celebrating the American Spirit”

Stephen Tyng Mather was an American industrialist and conservationist who was the first director of the National Park Service. As president and owner of Thorkildsen-Mather Borax Company he became a millionaire. Along with journalist Robert Sterling Yard, Mather led a publicity campaign known as the Mather Mountain Party to promote the creation of a unified federal agency to oversee National Parks administration, which was established in 1916.

Steve Hale of Comstock Characters has been presenting reenactments of pivotal historical characters to audiences for over two decades in the Lake Tahoe region and West coast. Hale has performed at National Parks including a residency at Yosemite National Park’s Valley Theater, State Parks, and various other Chautauqua venues.

Hale is a Certified Interpretive Guide, having received awards for Conservation Educator of the Year, and for Excellence in Interpretation and Conservation.

Cost: $15, 16 years and younger – Free

The Ranch House will be open 3:30 – 5:30 pm for event guests.