Curious about Monterey history?  Join us for a lively discussion each month with local Historian Tim Thomas as we explore Monterey’s rich historic past.  This month, Tim Thomas and special guests Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw, will explore the relationships of the artists and friends of John Steinbeck. 

Tim Thomas: Tim Thomas, fourth-generation native of the Monterey area, is a popular speaker and lively tour guide. For 16 years, he was historian and curator for the Monterey Maritime & History Museum and has worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State Parks and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He is author of “The Abalone King of Monterey: ‘Pop’ Ernest Doelter,” “The Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula” and co-author of “Monterey’s Waterfront.” Tim also conducts monthly “Wharf Walks” on Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf and offers Cannery Row walking tours.

Susan Shillinglaw

Susan Shillinglaw is a professor in the English Department at San Jose State University and was Director of the Center for Steinbeck Studies at San Jose State University for 18 years.  She has published widely on Steinbeck, most recently Carol and John Steinbeck: Portrait of a Marriage (University of Nevada Press, 2013) and On Reading The Grapes of Wrath (Penguin, 2014) as well as A Journey into Steinbeck’s California (2006; 2011). She also wrote introductions to several of Steinbeck books for Penguin New American Library editions of Cannery Row, Of Mice and Men, A Russian Journal and The Winter of Our Discontent.

This program takes place on Zoom, or participants may join by phone. Registration closes an hour before the program. The Zoom access information will be sent to registered participants shortly before the program begins. Use of video camera and level of participation is determined by each person.

New to Zoom? Visit the Zoom help guide for an overview of the virtual platform, participate in live training via the library, or click here to sign up for Zoom's free training.