Chautauqua Performance - John ‘Snowshoe’ Thompson and his wife Agnes

Local authors and historians David & Gayle Woodruff, assume the characters of John “Snowshoe” Thompson and his wife Agnes in a 55-minute Chautauqua performance. “Snowshoe” Thompson carried the mail across the deep Sierra Nevada snow during the winter for 20 years. With an 80-pound sack of mail, Thompson made the 180-mile round trip from Placerville to Genoa in just 5 days on his hand-crafted snow skates (skis), with nothing more than a jacket, dried meat and matches. Thompson was a true Sierra Nevada “Superhero,” saving the lives of many stranded travelers, unwaveringly serving his community and devoting his life to the betterment of his community

This presentation will take place on April 19, 2026 from 1:00pm-2:15pm at Minden Mill Distilling. It’s free to attend, provided you have reserved a ticket. Tickets will become available starting March 31, 2026. Spots are very limited, so reserve your ticket early. You can find out more and get tickets to this and other events by going to Minden Mill’s official website and selecting “Book an Experience” or clicking here.