The Huntington Library hosted the 2009 Haynes Foundation Lecture in California Studies, which was presented on March 30, 2009 at 7:30 pm at the Friend’s Hall at the Huntington by Professor Bill Deverell who examined the facts and implications of the remarkable level of national media attention devoted to the unsuccessful effort mounted to rescue a little girl, Kathy Fiscus, from a well in San Marino in 1949. Dr. Deverell has examined the “micro-history” behind the event, including interviews with many of the participants.
Dr. Deverell was introduced by Dr. Peter C. Mancall, a USC professor and Director of the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute. Both Drs. Deverell and Mancall made favorable mention of the Haynes Foundation. The event was arranged by Dr. Robert C. Richie, the Director of Research, and Dr. David Zeiberg, the Director of the Library. Attendance was free and there were over 250 attendees. The presentation was very well received with many follow-up questions and comments after the presentation.
