Historic Blakeley State Park will host a special two-part program Saturday, May 23, highlighting the life and travels of famed American naturalist William Bartram as part of local efforts marking the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.

The program will focus on Bartram’s 1775 journey through what is now Alabama during a four-year expedition across the American South. During his travels, Bartram documented the region’s landscapes, wildlife, plant life and Indigenous communities, leaving a detailed account of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and surrounding areas.

Bartram later published his observations in 1791 in a book commonly known as “Travels,” a work celebrated for its vivid descriptions of the natural world and early American frontier life. Historians and naturalists continue to regard the book as an important contribution to biology, literature and the historical record of the Southeast.

The Blakeley program will begin with a two-hour cruise along the Tensaw River retracing part of Bartram’s route through the Delta. The cruise departs from the Blakeley dock at 9 a.m.

Following the river excursion, attendees can take part in a free presentation at 11:15 a.m. led by Brian Rushing, described by organizers as a Bartram “enthusiast.” The presentation will examine Bartram’s discoveries and experiences during his Southern expedition and explore his lasting impact as a scientist, artist and writer.

Organizers said participants will gain a deeper understanding of the landscapes and Indigenous peoples that once inhabited the region now known as Alabama.

Historic Blakeley State Park, located near Spanish Fort, regularly offers educational programs focused on Gulf Coast history, ecology and cultural heritage.

Tickets and additional information are available at www.blakeleypark.com/Events.