The Hippie, the Cowboy & the Novelist

Come to Explore Books for a night of stories and history with local authors Jill Sheeley, Tony Vagneur, and Tom Stevens in conversation with Aspen Historical Society’s Amy Honey. To celebrate Aspen Historical Society’s featured shelf at Explore this month, Jill, Tony, and Tom will chat about their literary adventures and their lives in Aspen – today and in the good ol’ days! The authors will also discuss their latest works: Jill’s memoir Those Were the Days; Tony’s book Aspen: Then and Now: Reflections of a Native Son; and Tom’s new historical novel Ida Chatfield: Aspen’s Oldest Unsolved Mystery.

Jill Sheeley (the Hippie) is a longtime Aspen local and author of 15 books, including the beloved Aspen-based series Adventures of Fraser the Yellow Dog. Jill is President of Aspen Sister Cities and RFV Storytellers among many contributions to the community.

Tony Vagneur (the Cowboy) was born in Woody Creek to a family of ranchers originally from northern Italy. Tony is a career rancher and storyteller, as well as a dedicated volunteer historian and Aspen Historical Society board member. 

T.A. Stevens (the Novelist) is a fifth-generation Colorado native and author whose novels and short stories are set in nineteenth-century Colorado gold and silver mining towns. 

Amy Honey is the Vice President of Education and Programming at Aspen Historical Society. Amy is a trained actress, expert storyteller, and local history fan!

Books will be available for sale and signing, with proceeds benefiting your local bookseller and history organization!

Photo: Explore Bookstore (223 E. Main Street) circa 1975. AHS, Mary Eshbaugh Hayes Collection