Western Historian Mark Lee Gardner to Speak at Watkins Mill’s “Fall on the Farm”

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. — History fans will have a rare chance to hear one of the nation’s top western historians in person when Mark Lee Gardner visits Watkins Mill State Historic Site for Fall on the Farm, taking place Saturday, October 11, from noon to 4 p.m. Gardner will speak at 2 p.m. about his latest research on the surprising connections between the James family, including the infamous outlaw Jesse James, and the Watkins family, whose 19th-century mill and farmstead remain among Missouri’s most treasured historic landmarks.

Gardner is the author of several acclaimed books on the American West, including The Earth Is All That Lasts, Rough Riders, Shot All to Hell, and To Hell on a Fast Horse. He has earned national recognition for his storytelling and scholarship, receiving the Frank Waters Award for Literary Excellence and multiple Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America

The Missouri native has spent a lifetime exploring the myths and realities of frontier life. Before becoming a full-time author, Gardner worked as a park ranger and historic-site manager at several western landmarks, experiences that helped ground his later writing in the landscapes where his stories unfolded. He has since written for publications such as National Geographic History and True West and appeared in the hit Netflix docuseries Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War. His easygoing, plain-spoken approach to history has also made him a favorite online, where his WIRED Tech Support video answering internet questions about the Wild West has drawn millions of views

Gardner’s newest book, Brothers of the Gun: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and a Reckoning in Tombstone, is set for release this November. The dual biography promises a fresh look at two of the West’s most complex figures, drawing from diaries, letters, and court records to portray them as more than just legends (Barnes & Noble).

Known for blending deep research with vivid storytelling, Gardner often reminds audiences that the American West was shaped not only by famous outlaws and lawmen but also by the everyday families who lived through it. His talk at Watkins Mill will explore how Missouri’s frontier communities influenced both history and legend, offering a glimpse into the real people whose lives intertwined with those who became household names (True West Magazine; Colorado Sun).

“Fall on the Farm” will also feature traditional demonstrations, family activities, and opportunities to tour the historic mill and farmstead. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Watkins Mill State Historic Site, with Gardner’s presentation beginning at 2 p.m. Admission is free.