Fred Blackburn

Fred Blackburn is an independent guide, author, and contractor responsible for organizing the donation of Wetherill family collections to the Anasazi Heritage Center. He serves as a liaison between Fred has researched and written the Wetherill family and the Anasazi Heritage Center in a volunteer role. extensively about the early archaeological era of the Four Corners. He co-authored with Dr. Ray Williamson Cowboys and Cave Dwellers reviewing early archaeological explorations in the Grand Gulch and Mesa Verde region. His contribution to other texts include Handwriting on the Wall in Anasazi Basketmaker a synopses of journal and reverse archaeology in Utahs Grand Gulch and historic inscriptions and the first recorded visits to balcony house in balcony house, a History of a Cliff Dwelling Mesa Verde National Park---Colorado by Kathleen Fiero. Fred has recently completed a yet unpublished and extensive manuscript on the expeditionary of Mesa Verde Historical Inscriptions and the Expeditionary History of Balcony House, Cliff Palace, Hemenway House, Little Hemenway House, Honeymoon House and Spruce Tree House: A History of Discovery, Exploration, Photography, and Documentation. Using Historical inscriptions as a primary research reference. His knowledge and collaboration with Wetherill Family members, and the terrain and archaeology of the Four Corners serves him well in the organization of special field programs designed by request. Fred holds a BS degree and Secondary Science education certificate from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He can be reached at blackburn104@msn.com for further information on field or research programming

The Wetherills: Friends of Mesa Verde

Following in the wake of what one noted scientist called "transients who neither revered nor cared for the ruins as symbols of the past. The Wetherill family became the earliest students of Mesa Verde. Their careful excavations and record-keeping helped preserve key information, leading to a deeper understanding of the people who built and occupied the cliff dwellings. Based on decades of meticulous research, author Fred Blackburn sets the record straight on these early protectors of Mesa Verde.