Steve Wright
Steve Wright discovered his passion for history through listening to his mother's poignant tales of life in Nazi Germany and her two daring escapes from East Germany across the Iron Curtain. This childhood fascination evolved into a lifelong pursuit when, in fourth grade, he encountered history as an academic subject.
A 1983 graduate of California State University, Sacramento, Wright began his teaching career in 1985 at Center High School in North Highlands, California. Through a 33 year span of teaching in various capacities and locations, Wright passed on his enthusiasm for history to numerous young minds.
Image Courtesy of Mary Wright
At the urging of his friend Bob Allen in 2006, Wright joined DNG and eventually served in the roles of director and then executive secretary. After the passing of DNG president Edward Von der Porten in April 2018, Wright was elected to the presidency—the fifth person to serve as president in the Guild’s history. After five years, his term concluded with the DNG board honoring him with the president emeritus distinction.
Wright has presented at conferences of the Society for California Archaeology (2019), the North American Society for Oceanic History (2023), and Cabrilho and Beyond at San Diego State University (2024). Additionally, his articles have been published by California's Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum, the Society for California Archaeology, and England's Society for Nautical Research.