Speakers Series
Each year the historical society gathers eight history speakers to share their history knowledge with the community. Their hour long presentation is given on the third Monday evening of the month at 6:30 pm, usually including a power point slide show, related items on display, and sometimes a book signing.
We are actively seeking a few more speakers for 2026. If you know anyone who is interesting on speaking on a history subject for about an hour, please contact Bret at (916) 690-2913 or bret@elkgrovewine.com. Dates available are…
Speakers for 2026
January 19
Elaine Faber
Elaine lives and volunteers in Elk Grove and is an acomplished author. She graciously consented to share her story with us. Here is her bio:
Elaine Faber is the author of 13 cozy mystery novels, including four cozy cat mysteries, five WWII humorous historical fiction mysteries, two paranormal mysteries and an anthology of short stories, All Things Cat. She belongs to Sisters in Crime, Northern California Publishers and Authors (NCPA) and Elk Grove Writer’s Guild. Her short stories are published in over 20 anthologies and several magazines. Elaine’s humorous novels and short stories have won multiple awards. Elaine has led several writing critique groups, and is always willing to mentor other writers. She is available for speaking engagements and enjoys talking about her books and sharing writing tips and instruction to interested writers.
“History to Mystery. (How I used WWII history in my mystery novels).”
February 16
Andrew Saunders
Andy is a member of the Lincoln Highway Association and is a historic train and highway travel enthusiast.He was born in San Francisco and now lives in Citrus Heights. He was a political science major at American River College and is a semi-retired telecommunications professional after 40 years. He is involved in the community and enjoys giving presentations on the Lincoln Highway.
“The Historic Lincoln Highway History and Routes in California and the Sacramento Region”
March 16
Mary Ellen Burns
Topic to be announced soon
April 20
Bob Crowley and Tim Tweitmeyer
Tim Twietmeyer and Bob Crowley, co-founders of History Expeditions, will share this compelling tale of the trails and the Expedition that ensured to find their path and retrace their footsteps, and share how they discovered one of America West history’s greatest mysteries, thought never to be found: Camp of Death.
“The Forlorn Hope Party.”
A group of 15 who set off from Truckee, CA on snowshoes and the clothes on their back to trek 70 miles to reach civilization and ring the alarm that the entire Donner Party was trapped in 30’ of snow on the eastern slopes of the Sierra. What happened to them has become legend. What few appreciate is what those that survived endured, and the sacrifices of those that perished.
May 18
May 18
Dave Stuart
Dave is an archeologist and has spoken to us a few times in the past
” I am developing a new program for the Sacramento Archaeological Society on February 7, 2026 so I could present that PowerPoint program to Elk Grove. I’ll be preparing a description and my bio for SAS in the next couple days—I’ll send those to you, too, and we can go from there. I could do that program or a more generic program similar to what I did for Elk Grove HS in the past.
June 15 – Date Available
July and August – Summer Break
September 21 – Date Available
October 19
Linda Wheatly
Linda is a genealogist and a Folks family descendant. She visited a few years back from her home in Vermont to trace her roots in our files. She planned to stay for only four hours, but ended up staying two days. She returned home with all her new family history, wrote a presentation, and returned a year later as one of our presenters in our Speaker Series. It was a fascinating piece of work and she did a fantastic job. She decided she would trace the folks family wagon train route and returned to us for another visit. Again with all the new information she returned home, wrote another presentation, which presents now.
The Foulks Family – “Tracing the Folks Family Wagon Train from Missouri to California”
November and December – Holiday Break
Basic Information to Know
lease understand these history presentations are for you to learn about the rich history of our community. It’s an hour of amazing people sharing what they know, usually with a power point presentation, often several artifacts on display, and sometimes a book signing. Please considering coming and seeing for yourself.
There are no presentations in the following months; July & August for summer break and November & December for holiday break. Sorry!
They are always on the third Monday evenings of the month, at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6:00 pm) at our usual place, the Presbyterian Church at 8153 Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn north on to Big Horn and it’s behind the Chevron Station, Suite 50.