Historian will discuss Audubon's last great adventure

Robert McCracken Peck

Historian and author Robert McCracken Peck will speak at Hawk Mountain on Saturday, November 1, on the last adventure of naturalist John James Audubon to the American West.

Back in 1843 Audubon set off from New York City to travel up the Missouri River to the mouth of the Yellowstone to gather specimens for a planned book on American mammals and birds.

Peck will relate Audubon's nine-month journey using visuals from the naturalist's trip. He'll put the accomplishments of Audubon's expedition into the broader context of the time.

Peck is a senior fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and a naturalist and historian who has traveled extensively in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has written several books, including Land of the Eagle: A Natural History of North America, which was a companion volume to an eight-part BBC/PBS television production of the same title.

The lecture coincides with Hawk Mountain's four-month-long Audubon exhibit in the Wings of Wonder Gallery.

Peck will make his presentation from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center at Hawk Mountain. The event is free.


Hawk Mountain is located in at 1700 Hawk Mountain Road in Kempton, Berks County—an easy drive via Interstate 78. For information, visit Hawk Mountain's website or call 610-756-6961.