Joe Burgess Book Talk

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Archives of the Big Bend

Joe Burgess will be presenting his book, “Big Bend Through the Lens of Glenn Burgess: A Photo Journey in Mid-Century West Texas,” along with his collection of his father’s photographic prints, field equipment and cameras, and ephemera from the early years of Big Bend National Park. 

“Big Bend Through the Lens of Glenn Burgess is a photographic commentary on the birth of this national park in West Texas and the surrounding counties that played key roles. Authorized by Congress in 1935 and established as a US national park in 1944, Big Bend protects a key section of the Chihuahua Desert and the Rio Grande canyons. During the 1940s and 1950s, Glenn Burgess (1905-1995), a promoter, photographer, and teacher based in Alpine, Texas, lugged 4×5 and 5×7 sheet-film cameras across the rugged region. He captured Big Bend’s beauty and diversity, as well as the incredible efforts to make a remote park accessible to the nation.”

There will be copies of the book available for purchase, and the display will remain at the Archives of the Big Bend through November 6. Visitors are welcome to view the display Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 AM – 12 PM and 2 PM – 4 PM.

For more information, please contact Victoria Contreras at victoria.contreras@sulross.edu or 432-837-8388.