Many songs were written and sung by miners during the California Gold Rush.  The songs were presented in small theaters, sometimes tents, usually on Saturday nights.  The audiences were the miners themselves.  The songs, written by men who had found gold mining too demanding, are often funny, provocative, and descriptive.   They provide personal views into the triumphs and the failures of men in those tumultuous times.

Alan, an accomplished musician and performer, presents the songs and helps the listeners to learn new aspects of gold-rush history through the music.

Alan Fuller is a retired State Park Ranger, a naturalist, historian, musician, and actor.  He has called Placerville his home for 45 years.  As a ranger at Sutter’s Mill he presented countless public talks to park visitors, covering many topics.  He has also presented authentic gold-rush songs in many programs and locations.  He has won numerous awards from California state government, from local historical preservation agencies, and for his work on the stage.  Two of Alan’s gold-rush songs were included in the Ken Burns PBS production “The West” in 1996.  He has organized live historic music at “living history” presentations at Sutter’s Mill since his retirement 25 years ago.