On Sunday, June 14th, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, Bob Hart, executive director of the Lane County Historical Society, will bring to life pioneering Oregon geologist, professor Thomas Condon.

Famed geologist Condon had a local connection. Condon taught “SEA Classes” at Nye Beach, lecturing about Oregon coast fossils and geological features for Oregon’s Summer Education Association.

Thomas Condon (1822–1907) minister, geologist, and paleontologist, immigrated from Ireland in 1833. After graduating from theological seminary in 1852, he traveled to Oregon. While working as a minister at The Dalles, he became interested in fossils. Condon found fossilized camels and other animals, and many of his discoveries are in the present-day John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Condon provided many specimens to major museums.

Condon became Oregon’s first State Geologist in 1872, then University of Oregon’s first professor of geology. In 1902 he wrote, The Two Islands and What Came of Them, a geology book about two widely separated regions of Oregon containing its oldest rocks, the Klamath Mountains and the Blue Mountains.

Bob Hart, an avid history “junkie,” has worked in presentation of history and historic sites since 1977. Author of several historical articles, Bob has also authored or co-written five nominations for the National Register of Historic Places, and contributed to major studies of Oregon’s history.

Admission to this event is free for members, and $5 for non-members. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call (541) 265-7509.

A special Thank You goes out to The Whaler in Newport for their generous help in bringing this program to the Maritime Center.