CCHM Speaker Series: Fort Vancouver and the Story of America

Join us for a special evening exploring the rich, complex, and evolving story of one of the Pacific
Northwest’s most significant historical sites.

This special edition of the Clark County Historical Museum’s Speaker Series will take place at
the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, where we welcome Meagan Huff, curator at Fort Vancouver
National Historic Site and longtime Vancouver resident.

Meagan will guide us through the layered history of Fort Vancouver — a site that reflects the
broader American story of settlement, conflict, resilience, and cultural transformation.

From its 19th-century origins as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post to its role in westward
expansion and its continued importance as a National Park Service site, Fort Vancouver holds
over two million artifacts and countless untold stories. These stories help us understand both
the everyday lives of people who lived here and the broader national forces — colonialism,
migration, military presence, and preservation — that shaped this land.

Through archaeology, historical research, and collaboration with Tribes and community
partners, our understanding of this site continues to evolve. This presentation will explore:

🔹 The founding and historical significance of Fort Vancouver
🔹 The impact of archaeology in uncovering stories buried beneath the surface
🔹 The site’s national importance in the broader context of American history
🔹 How our collective memory and interpretation of the site have changed — and continue to
changeMeagan Huff is the museum curator at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. An (almost)
lifelong Vancouver resident, Meagan has worked in museum collections management at Fort
Vancouver NHS since 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Art History and
a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies, both from the University of Washington.

This installment of the CCHM Speaker Series is sponsored through the generosity of the
Historic Preservation Commission, Pomeroy Living History Farm, and Vancouver Sign

Advance registration is recommended to secure attendance. Tickets available here.