The Journal

The public is invited to the April 11 meeting of the San Juan Basin Archaeological Society for a presentation by Charles DiFerdinando about the 1917-1918 flu epidemic and how the Durango-Silverton train helped it spread.

The event is at the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College at 7 p.m. A social will be held before the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

DiFerdinando is a fifth generation Durango native, who has been involved with the La Plata County Historical Society almost since its inception, according to a news release from spokeswoman Julie Tapley-Booth, of the Center for Southwsest Studies. He did building research for the Main Avenue Historic District and wrote the National Register Nomination for the East Third Avenue Boulevard Historic District. He worked at the Animas Museum and rebuilt the Joy Cabin, the oldest building in Durango.

He is a member of the La Plata County Historical Society Board of Directors and is the lead historical narrator for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s onboard narration program.

For more information, see sjbas.org.