Event Archives

To honor the sesquicentennial of Willa Cather’s birthday, a group of academics and students from area universities will read selections from the celebrated author’s letters, fiction, poems, and journalism written in and about Pittsburgh, which was her home 1896-1906 and a favorite writing retreat until 1915. A discussion and birthday cookies will follow the reading.

This event is free, but please RSVP. It will take place in the CLP Lecture Hall.

As we celebrate Willa Cather's 150th birthday, we journey to Santa Fe to explore one of Cather's favorite cities. Our tour guide, Garrett Peck, will lead us on a 2.5 hour Death Comes for the Archbishop walking tour, retracing Cather's steps through Santa Fe in 1925 and 1926.

We'll gather at the Plaza opposite La Fonda, the hotel where Cather and her partner Edith Lewis stayed during their visits. We'll read from Cather's letters, interviews, and articles, in addition to seeing historic Santa Fe.

Join us for birthday cake and a free talk by Dr. Robert Thacker, president of the Willa Cather Foundation Board of Governors at the National Willa Cather Center in Red Cloud, Nebraska! 

Acclaimed mystery novelist Alex Kava will be on hand to talk about her impressive career as a Nebraska author who writes in the tradition of other Nebraska mystery novelists such as the late Mignon Eberhardt. Mystery of Hunting's End, Eberhart's 1930 book set in the Nebraska Sand Hills is the 2023 One Book One Nebraska selection. 

We hope you'll join us in Taos, New Mexico, for a 3-day, 3-night excursion, November 9–12, 2023! We’ll explore the beautiful mountain town and the best of its historic and arts offerings, while learning about Cather’s time in New Mexico. We’ll discuss and share from Cather’s Death Comes for the Archbishop and The Professor’s House, as well as a host of selected outside readings, in addition to touring the Father Martinez Hacienda and Taos Pueblo, the Fechin House and the Millicent Rogers museum and more.

As we celebrate Willa Cather's 150th birthday, we journey to Santa Fe to explore one of Cather's favorite cities. Our tour guide, Garrett Peck, will lead us on a 2.5 hour Death Comes for the Archbishop walking tour, retracing Cather's steps through Santa Fe in 1925 and 1926.

We'll gather at the Plaza opposite La Fonda, the hotel where Cather and her partner Edith Lewis stayed during their visits. We'll read from Cather's letters, interviews, and articles, in addition to seeing historic Santa Fe.

With a voice rising “out of the Nebraska plain like cool summer swell,” Rascal Martinez blends rockabilly, folk, country and Latin sounds into covers, standards and heartfelt originals. Although still in his mid-twenties, the young Martinez’ unique roots music awakens memories of early rock artists with a sound that has been described as “resonant and fresh, yet familiar.” Martinez‘ deep, raspy country twang is mixed with strong lead guitar licks, a pounding bass guitar, strong drum beats and backup vocals.

Celebrate the 150th birthday of one of Nebraska’s treasured authors, Willa Cather, with a pictorial exhibit of intimate portraits of scenes and objects from Cather’s beloved hometown of Red Cloud. Willa Cather: A Sesquicentennial Reflection features photographs by Betty Kort. Viewers will be able to consider this collection in juxtaposition with Cather’s timeless words.

Join us for this sesquicentennial celebration of Willa Cather, one of the most singular and treasured American writers of the 20th century. Cather’s story is one defined by a lifetime of determination, struggle, and gradual emergence. Cather’s groundbreaking fiction (O Pioneers!, My Ántonia, One of Ours, The Professor’s House, Death Comes for the Archbishop) set a new standard in American literature. This overview of her life and work will explore her turbulent biography and uniquely American voice.

—Livestream option available—