The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College continues its summer lecture series based around the theme, "A Year in the Life of the West." The presentation, "The Searchers: The Movie, the Novel and the Real Parker Family" will feature guest speaker Paul Dittmer at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29 in the center's Lyceum Room #120.

Dittmer's presentation will focus on Glenn Frankel's 2012 book The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend. Frankel won a Pulitzer Prize while reporting for The Washington Post. The film The Searchers (1956), starring John Wayne and directed by John Ford, is an adaptation of the true-life story based on the 1836 abduction of Texas settlers by the Comanche tribe, including nine year-old Cynthia Ann Parker. Cynthia Ann who was reared by the tribe, eventually married a Comanche warrior, and had three children. Her son, Quanah Parker, later became a legendary Comanche war chief. Twenty-four years later, Cynthia Ann was re-captured by her own family, unwilling but ultimately forced to return to her white family. Frankel's book, and Dittmer's recounting of the Parker's family history, is one that is a difficult narrative of the settling of the American West. A screening of the film will follow the lecture.

Dittmer is a retired executive who worked in corporate computer sales. He is a life-long student of the American West, with interests in Native American history and collecting.

This lecture and film screening is free to the public. Parking on campus is free during summer months.