Susanna Bransford, Park City’s Silver Queen Lecture given by Sandy Brumley and Melissa Clark

Park City Museum and Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History will host a lecture called Susanna Bransford, Park City’s Silver Queen given by Sandy Brumley and Melissa Clark on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 5-6 p.m. held at the Park City Museum Education and Collections Center located at 2079 Sidewinder Drive. More information can be found at www.parkcityhistory.org.

Among the more distinguishing features of Park City history is the strength and character of its women. Their numbers were encouraged by the easy access provided by the Transcontinental Railroad and their character was exemplified by one Susanna Bransford, a.k.a. The Silver Queen.

Like many of the city’s heroes, she arrived virtually penniless, and soon rose to become one of the wealthiest members of the Gilded Age. She married a prominent early Parkite, Albion Emery, just six months after her arrival and before five years had passed, the pair owned a one-fifth share of the highly successful Mayflower Group.

Her subsequent three marriages were capped by nuptials with Russian Royalty, elevating her to the legitimate title of “Her Royal Highness.” She spent virtually all of her fortune and died nearly penniless again in Rowayton, Connecticut in 1942. Come hear the tail of her long and winding road to this tragic yet well-lived ending!

Melissa Clark has been learning about Park City History since her first visit to Park City over 15 years ago. Now a resident, she is a guide for the Main Street Walking Tours and Mine History Hikes in the summer for the Museum. She is also a member of Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History. A mountain host and hiking guide at Park City Mountain Resort, Sandy Brumley is a descendent of iron miners in Minnesota and an avid student of Park City History. This will be the fifth in a series of presentations he has made for the Museum. He is a hike leader for the Museum and a member of Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History.