Authors Ren and Helen Davis Speak at SU September 15 and 17

SALISBURY, MD---Guidebook authors Ren and Helen Davis discuss America’s national parks during a residency this fall at Salisbury University.

On Tuesday, September 15, they speak on “Landscapes for the People: George Alexander Grant, First Chief Photographer of the National Park Service.” On Thursday, September 17, they discuss “Our Mark on This Land: A Guide to the Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in America’s Parks.” Both are at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall.

The Davises are co-authors of the book Landscapes for the People: George Alexander Grant, First Chief Photographer of the National Park Service, scheduled for release this September. Grant was the organization’s first staff photographer, from 1929-1931, holding the position of chief photographer from 1931 until his retirement in 1954.

Five of the more than 30,000 pictures he took at 100-plus parks during that time were selected to appear on U.S. postage stamps representing Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Crater Lake, Zion and Glacier national parks. With ties to the Eastern Shore, Grant is buried in Snow Hill, MD.

The authors sign copies of the book from 5-7 p.m. Friday, September 18, during a reception for the exhibit “The Great American Landscape: Photographs by Ansel Adams, George Alexander Grant, Eliot Porter and the National Park Service” at the SU Art Galleries Downtown Campus.

Their residency precedes a screening of the Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan PBS documentary series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea 7 p.m. Mondays, September 21-November 2, also in the Great Hall.

Sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Office, the Davis’ talks are part of SU’s “Made in America” fall cultural events series. Admission is free and the public is invited.

For more information call 410-543-6271 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.