Events
December 12, 2018
Contact: Abraham Martinez
Abraham@museorutadeplata.com
Tel: 624-157-2680
Historian Iris Engstrand presents newly released book highlighting life of early Baja California explorer and astronomer, Joaquín Velázquez de León
El Triunfo, Baja California Sur, Mexico: On Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 1:00pm join University of San Diego Emeritus Professor, Iris Engstrand who will read from her recently published, second edition book, Joaquín Velázquez de León: Royal Officer in Baja California, 1768-1770. Professor Engstrand’s reading will be held in the tea room of the Museo Ruta de Plata located on Calle Municipal, El Triunfo, BCS. Copies of the Professor Engstrand’s book will be on sale at the museum gift store and she will be available after her talk for a book signing.
Originally published in 1976, Engstrand’s second edition book published by Editorial Museo Ruta de Plata brings to life the unique colonial era, expeditionary efforts of Velázquez de León, an officer who served the Spanish Crown in Baja California’s Cape Region as well as his historic role in documenting the 1769 Transit of Venus from peninsula’s first colonial settlement at Real de Santa Ana. Engstrand’s book also highlights Velázquez de León’s testy relationship with Manuel de Ocio, Baja California’s first entrepreneur.
According to Engstrand, “the new edition of Joaquín Velázquez de León: Royal Officer in Baja California–1768-1770 brings together an analysis of the 1769 Transit of Venus with a recreation of the Transit in 2012. New illustrations in an affordable publication give the reader an unparalleled opportunity to understand the accomplishments of Spain in science and mining in Baja California during the late eighteenth century.”
About Professor Iris Engstrand:
Iris Wilson Engstrand is a Professor of History Emerita at the University of San Diego who received her B.A, M.A and Ph.D. in history from the University of Southern California. Engstrand has written a numerous books and articles focusing on some of the earliest explorations of Baja California. Dr. Engstrand’s academic honors include USD’s distinguished University Professorship; the Davies Award for Faculty Achievement; and fellowships from the Fulbright Commission, American Philosophical Society and the Huntington Library.
About the Museo Ruta de Plata:
Located in the historic mining town of El Triunfo, Baja California Sur, México, the mission of the Museo Ruta de Plata is to bring the history of La Paz’s Ruta de Plata region to life through exhibits and expanded community development promoting mining heritage tourism. The Museo Ruta de Plata is open daily except Tuesdays from 10am to 5pm. Admission to the museum is 75 pesos for BCS residents, 100 pesos for non-residents and 60 pesos for seniors.
Editorial Museo Ruta de Plata is a literary project of the museum that aims to increase public awareness of Spanish and English literature highlighting the mining heritage of Baja California Sur from 1700 to 1930 with an emphasis on the historic mining districts of the Municipality of La Paz.