History on Tap: First Families – The Next Generation of Vancouver’s African American Community
May 13 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT
$5
The Clark County Historical Museum presents History on Tap: Vancouver’s First Black Families with Melissa Williams
Historian Melissa Williams will share the story of housing and Vancouver’s African American community from 1940-1960. Learn how Black families made Southwest Washington their home during wartime, what factors pushed many out of the area after the war, and about the lasting contributions these first Black residents made to Vancouver.
Melissa Williams (she/her) is a U.S. historian who concentrates on African American history. Over the past 20 years, she has contributed to numerous projects for organizations and educational institutions including the Center for Columbia River History, Vancouver NAACP #1139, the Clark County Historical Museum, and Portland State University. Williams earned a B.A. in History from the University of Washington and an M.A. in Public History from Washington State University Vancouver. She is a doctoral student for Educational Leadership at Portland State University and currently serves as Policy Associate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Event Details:
- Date & Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
- Location: Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St, Vancouver, WA
- Admission: Free for CCHM members | $5 in advance for general public | $10 at the door
The 2025 History on Tap season is presented by Vancouver’s Downtown Association, with sponsorship from Heritage Bank and program support provided by Versa Events. This installment is sponsored by C-Tran, The Arts Centered, the Clark College Foundation, and Fourth Plain Forward.
About the Clark County Historical Museum:
The Clark County Historical Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich history of Clark County, Washington. The museum offers a range of exhibits, events, and programs throughout the year to engage the public in learning about the area’s past.
Tickets available here.
