Press release

Friends of the Eastern California Museum History Program Saturday February 3^rd at 6:30 p.m.

Father John Crowley goes over plans for the Wedding of the Waters Celebration courtesy of Eastern California Museum

On February 3rd, the Friends of the Eastern California Museum invites you to attend a 50-minute history program on one of the largest and most momentous events to have ever taken place in Inyo County – the Wedding of the Waters.

Local historian David Woodruff will use a collection of rare photographs and video to tell the story how Father John Crowley from Lone Pine planned, organized and executed this epic 3-day celebration, to mark the opening of the new Lone Pine to Death Valley road in 1937.

California Gov Merriam fires a shotgun to mark the opening of the new Lone Pine to Death Valley road, courtesy ECM

Father Crowley brought together a cast of hundreds, including a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, the Death Valley 20-Mule Team, Hopalong Cassidy, Norman Clyde, the Los Angeles City Police band and the governor of California, to participate in the elaborate pageant. Even President Franklin Roosevelt had a part in this one of a kind event.

The history program will be presented at the banquet room at Whiskey Creek Restaurant, 524, North Main Street in Bishop at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday February 3rd. The program is free and open to the public.