“The Isle of Romance,” the prehistory and history of Santa Catalina Island, is the subject of a special guest lecture by Ivan Strudwick at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands on Saturday, October 12. The presentation, which starts at 2:00 p.m., is included with paid museum admission.

The talk will provide a glimpse of the island as it appeared to natives and later inhabitants of what is often considered to be the most romantic California Channel Island. The presentation will then focus on the native depopulation of Catalina. When did the last natives leave, where did they go, and why did they leave their island home? Finally, Strudwick will discuss a historical inaccuracy related to Catalina. The first location in California named by an American has always been thought to be Avalon Bay on Catalina, but recent evidence suggests it was actually Isthmus Cove at Two Harbors.

Ivan H. Strudwick has over 30 years of experience conducting archaeological projects throughout California. He received his B.A. and M.A. from California State University, Long Beach. His specialty is maritime archaeology, including the shellfish and artifacts of coastal California and the Channel Islands. He has excavated at many mainland archaeological sites and on all three major southern islands: San Nicolas, San Clemente, and Santa Catalina. Recently he has conducted ethnographic and historic research on Catalina focusing on the final time period of native habitation. Mr. Strudwick is currently employed at LSA Associates, Inc. in Irvine, where he has worked for over 18 years.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sb countymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669.