Do you like pirate stories? Do you love enhancing your knowledge about the history of Monterey and the Lower Presidio Historic Park project?

Old Monterey Foundation will hold its second free event on Friday, July 15 as part of the 2016 Lecture Series sponsored by The Marcia F. Devoe Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County for the third year.

Author Michael Melzer presents his new biography of Hippolite Bouchard, The Patriot Pirate. Bouchard (January 15, 1780–January 4, 1837) was a French Argentine sailor and privateer who fought for France, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Pursuing the war of rebellion against Spain, Bouchard was the first Argentine to circumnavigate the world when he attacked the Spanish ciudad of Monterey, California, raised the Argentine flag and held the town for six days in November, 1818. This was the only land-sea battle fought on the West Coast of the United States. Argentina remembers him as the South American equivalent of our John Paul Jones.

Following Mr. Melzer’s lecture, Frank Sollecito, President of the Old Monterey Foundation Board of Directors, will present a short overview of improvements planned for the Lower Presidio Historic Park and Vizcaino Park.

When: Friday, July 15, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Where: Irvine Auditorium, McCone Building, MIIS; 499 Pierce Street, Monterey

Free Admission – Reception and book signing to follow

About Michael Melzer

Michael Melzer has a passion for California history, and has published his first book, The Patriot Pirate. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maryland, after spending time studying film, and video production at the University of Wisconsin.

For more information, call (831) 346-3030.