A Search for Acceptance: The Joys and Challenges of Clark County's LGBTQ+ Community from Early Contact Through Today
2023-06-01 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
From the life and times of Kutenai spiritual leader, Kocomenepeca, through the waves of public “hysteria” over homosexuality throughout the 1900s and the tragedy of Nikki Kuhnhausen in 2019, Clark County’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning population has long found themselves the target for criminalization, victimization, and erasure. Yet, in spite of the challenges they have built a strong and vibrant community in Clark County that celebrates its rich history. With each setback, they have continued to persevere and push for the protections and rights afforded the “straight” community. In this talk, April will look at the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Clark County – both their struggles and their victories.

Behind the Scenes: CCHM Collections Show & Tell
2023-07-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Clark County Historical Museum invites the public to join CCHM collections manager, Liza Schade, as she presents “Behind the Scenes: CCHM Collections Show & Tell” for July’s CCHM Speaker Series. The event will occur on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in person at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660). Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
For nearly 60 years the Clark County Historical Museum has been encouraging an understanding of how local history shapes the character of Clark County and strengthens our sense of place. As the County’s memory keepers, CCHM has collected and preserved over 60,000 items of local historical significance during this time. Our collection of artifacts, images, archival materials, and oral histories includes a variety of objects, although only a portion are on view at the museum.
In this presentation, learn more about how CCHM cares for our collection through preservation and public access; see some of the interesting and newest donations; and find out how we use these treasures to inform people about the region’s heritage and its importance in their daily lives.

Will the 2020s Roar like the 1920s?
2023-08-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Clark County Historical Museum and Humanities Washington, as part of the 2023 CCHM Speaker Series, are excited to have William Woodward bring his thought-provoking presentation “Will the 2020s Roar like the 1920s?” to Southwest Washington. The event will occur on Thursday, August 3, 2023 in person at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660). Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
A pandemic, protests, and economic jolts ushered in the so-called “Roaring Twenties.” Americans adjusted in ways both innovative and counterproductive. What lessons from the 1920s can we apply to our own looming 20s?
Historian William Woodward charts the eerily familiar developments of a century ago: shattered idealism, social clashes, domestic terrorism, culture wars, disorienting technologies, and fearsome disease. How might stories from a particular moment in the past—one with remarkable parallels to the present—shed light on ways for us to move forward? As the 2020s unfold, what conversations should we have?
William Woodward (he/him) is an award-winning professor of American and Pacific Northwest history at Seattle Pacific University. His teaching, research, and writing focus on iconic elements of regional and national culture, including the military and baseball. His co-authored pictorial history of the Washington National Guard was released in 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, as well as a master’s degree and PhD from Georgetown University.
The CCHM Speaker Series is sponsored by the Humanities Washington and Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. Thanks to support from Humanities Washington this event is free to the public.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as seating is limited.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

The Cowlitz Tribe: An Enduring Legacy
2023-09-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Clark County Historical Museum is excited to welcome Cowlitz Tanna Engdahl, as she presents “The Cowlitz Tribe: An Enduring Legacy” for September’s CCHM Speaker Series. The event will occur on Thursday, September 7, 2023 in person at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660). Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
Join Cowlitz Tribe Elder and Spiritual Leader, Tanna Engdahl, as she presents the history of the Cowlitz Tribe, their struggles both before and after the Treaty Era, and the ongoing legacy of their stewardship of their traditional lands.
Since the beginning of time, the Cowlitz Tribe have nurtured the lands and waters throughout major parts of Southwest Washington. Like many of this country’s First People, the Cowlitz have dealt with significant challenges since initial contact with the Europeans and the Americans that came after them. Despite all this, the People endure and remain a vibrant part of Southwest Washington. Their contribution to the natural and cultural landscape continues today through their charitable giving, environmental expertise, and the sharing of their stories and knowledge.
Tanna Engdahl is an Elder and Spiritual Leader in the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. At the beginning of her career, Tanna competed for a special scholarship to Columbia University and was hired by KIRO-TV as the first major-market American Indian TV news reporter in the U.S. At the same time, she served as the Tribe’s Vice-President.
She left the newsroom to engage in a thirty-year career in public land agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. During that time, she was selected to a Federal Leadership Academy and spent many years in management positions.
In this role, she encouraged Federal sensitivity to tribal sacred sites and was in the forefront of a movement to establish Indian cultural committees within the Government. Upon retirement, she joined Mike Iyall, the Tribe’s senior historian, in presenting Cowlitz history to schools, colleges, community organizations, Federal and State agencies and other public venues. She also champions conservation projects and health programs for which the Cowlitz Tribe is known for.
As a volunteer, Tanna serves on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Board and Washington State University’s Native American Board Community Advisory Board. Her spiritual work is dedicated to Tribal activities and events. She also officiates at weddings, funerals and other lifeway celebrations.
The CCHM Speaker Series is sponsored by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission and League of Women Voters of Clark County. General admission is $5; seniors and students are $4; children under 18 are $3; and the evening is free for CCHM members, veterans, and active-duty military personnel.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

Double Crossed: The American Missionary Spies of World War II
2023-10-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Clark County Historical Museum and Humanities Washington are excited to welcome Matthew Avery Sutton’s remarkable presentation, “Double Crossed: The American Missionary Spies of World War II.” The event will occur on Thursday, October 5, 2023 in person at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660). Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
What made a good missionary also made a good spy, or so thought American intelligence agencies in World War II. These religious men and women carried out covert operations, bombings, and assassinations—confident that their nefarious deeds would eventually help them achieve their mission by expanding the kingdom of God.
Historian Matthew Avery Sutton tells the extraordinary story of these missionaries, priests, and rabbis who played an outsized role in leading the United States to victory in World War II. This talk is an untold story of wartime spy craft and a profound account of the compromises and doubts that war forces on those who wage it.
Matthew Avery Sutton (he/him) is the Berry Family Distinguished Professor in Liberal Arts and the chair of the Department of History at Washington State University. He has authored several books, the most recent of which is Double Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War (2019), off which his talk is based. He has written for the New York Times and Washington Post. In 2016, he was appointed a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow.
The CCHM Speaker Series is sponsored by the Humanities Washington and Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. Thanks to support from Humanities Washington this event is free to the public.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.
About Humanities Washington
Humanities Washington is a nonprofit organization dedicated to opening minds and bridging divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. For more about Humanities Washington, visit www.humanities.org.
About the Speakers Bureau Program
In communities throughout Washington State, Speakers Bureau presenters give free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, spiritual traditions, and everything in between.
Their roster of over 30 Speakers Bureau presenters is made up of professors, artists, activists, historians, performers, journalists, and others—all chosen not only for their expertise, but also for their ability to
inspire discussion with people of all ages and backgrounds. Hundreds of Speakers Bureau events take place each year. Find a Speakers Bureau event near you.
To reach as many Washingtonians as possible, Humanities Washington partners with a wide range of organizations, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, community centers, and civic organizations. Qualifying nonprofit organizations are encouraged to host a speaker.
The Speakers Bureau program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Washington via the Office of the Secretary of State, the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.

The Campbells and The Columbian: Searching for my Great-Grandfather, Herbert J. Campbell
2023-11-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Vancouver Community Library (Columbian Room), 901 C St, Vancouver, 98660, United States
Join Will Campbell, as he presents the story of his great-grandfather, newspaperman Herbert J. Campbell. Learn about the man that started the Campbell news legacy when he purchased The Columbian in 1921. Find out how The Columbian has changed and grown with Vancouver through the years. And discover what the future holds for the paper and the family.
Will Campbell is a fourth-generation owner of The Columbian and is the Innovation Editor at The Columbian. He directs The Columbian’s special projects, including Community Funded Journalism and the growing number of Columbian-hosted events. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2017 with a degree in journalism and worked for The Spokesman-Review in Spokane for two years as a crime, courts, and public safety reporter. He joined The Columbian full-time in 2019 as an Assistant Metro Editor and Business Reporter.
The CCHM Speaker Series is sponsored by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. November’s presentation is brought to you with support from The Columbian and the Fort Vancouver Regional Library. This evening is free to the public.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

Black Woman in Green: The Voice of Gloria Brown
2024-02-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join Dr. Donna Sinclair as she discusses her latest book, Black Woman in Green: Gloria Brown and the Unmarked Trail to Forest Service Leadership. Co-written with Gloria Brown, the book details Brown’s journey from an agency transcriptionist with the US Forest Service in D.C. to becoming the first African American woman to attain the rank of forest supervisor for the agency.
“Gloria’s journey from a young widow and East Coast city girl to western forester and agency leader pulls together unexpected threads of African American, environmental, and Northwest history. Most importantly, it is an inspiring story with lessons about overcoming challenges, self-advocacy, determination, and putting dreams into action. I was honored to write Black Woman in Green with Gloria and am excited to share her story with the Clark County community.”
Dr. Donna Sinclair is a historian and scholar specializing in oral history and the history of the Pacific Northwest. Sinclair holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University – Vancouver as well as a Master’s in History and Ph.D. in Urban Studies from Portland State University. She teaches as an adjunct for Washington State University Vancouver and Western Oregon University, served on the Washougal Planning Commission in 2017, and is on the Washougal School Board of Directors.
The CCHM Speaker Series is presented by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. This month’s presentation is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Clark County. General admission is $5; seniors and students are $4; children under 18 are $3; and the evening is free for CCHM members, veterans, and active-duty military personnel.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

And It Has Pockets! The Battle for Women's Clothing Equality
2024-03-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
How many times have you heard someone wearing women’s clothing exclaim, “And it has pockets!” Comparisons have shown that modern garments designed for women have about half the storage space of clothing designed for men. From their invention, pockets in women’s fashion have represented independence—so much so that in the 18th century, laws were enacted to strip women of their personal liberty by making the contents of their pockets the property of their husband. The right to have pockets went hand-in-hand with the right to vote. And people today are still speaking out about the inequality between men’s and women’s clothing based on this simple storage system.
Join costume designer Diane Johnston to dig into the pockets of the past, tracing the history of the humble pocket to determine if the battle for equality may still be decided by a few inches of extremely influential fabric.
Diane Johnston (she/her) is a theatrical costume designer who has spent the past 33 years creating costumes for productions large and small throughout the region. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design and is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Johnston has always been fascinated with fashion history and the historic trends that find their way into our modern closets. She is currently the Theater Teacher at Snohomish High School.
The CCHM Speaker Series season is sponsored by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. This month’s presentation is co-hosted with Fourth Plain Forward and brought to you by Humanities Washington and the League of Women Voters of Clark County. Admission is free and open to all.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

Big Apples, Big Business: How Washington Became the Apple State
2024-04-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
Why do so many apples in the grocery store look the same? And why do so many come from Washington?
In this talk, explore how Washington became the top apple producing state in the country, and how, in the process, it transformed apples into an industrialized commodity. Many regions in the West attempted to grow apples, but in Washington, big apples became big business thanks to the work of scientists, investors, irrigators, railroad corporations, marketers, and apple growers. How does the history of Washington apples reflect larger changes happening in the American food system—changes that continue to affect our environment and the way we eat today?
Amanda L. Van Lanen (she/her) is a Professor of History at Lewis-Clark State College and the author of The Washington Apple: Orchards and the Development of Industrial Agriculture. She earned a Ph.D. in history at Washington State University, and blogs about food history at historyreheated.com.
The CCHM Speaker Series season is sponsored by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. This month’s presentation is co-hosted with Fourth Plain Forward and brought to you by Humanities Washington and the League of Women Voters of Clark County. Admission is free and open to all.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

Our History, Our Museum: 60 Years of the Clark County Historical Museum
2024-05-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States

Resisting Erasure through Storytelling
2024-06-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
Clark County Historical Museum, Fourth Plain Forward, and Humanities Washington invite the community to an engaging in-person conversation with Putsata Reang, a member of the 2024-2025 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau program, on Thursday, June 6, 2024. This month’s CCHM Speaker Series presentation will take place at Fourth Plain Community Commons (3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA 98661.)
Doors open at 6:30 pm. Presentation begins at 7:00 pm.
When Putsata Reang was eight years old, she didn’t understand why her skin was brown when almost all of her classmates’ skin was white. So she put an eraser to her arm and began to rub, hoping to become white. A decade later, feeling disoriented by the dawning realization that she is gay, Putsata put a razor to her wrist. But ultimately she was too ashamed to end her own life. That’s because when she was a baby, and her family fled war in her native Cambodia, her mother had saved her life.
Today, an increasing number of Americans like Putsata are at risk of erasure because of external forces such as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and internal forces, such as shame and discrimination. Putsata discusses the dangers of dwelling on differences and encourages audiences to share their personal stories as an antidote to erasure.
Putsata Reang (she/her) is an author and journalist whose debut memoir, Ma and Me, was awarded the 2023 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association prize for nonfiction and was recognized as a finalist for the 2023 Lambda Literary Award. Her writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times, Ms. magazine, Politico, and The Guardian. Reang has held several prestigious residencies and was a fellow of the Jack Straw Writers program and Alicia Patterson Foundation for journalists.
The CCHM Speaker Series season is sponsored by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. This month’s presentation is co-hosted with Fourth Plain Forward and brought to you by Humanities Washington. Admission is free and open to all.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

Liberty Factory: A Look at the Kaiser Shipyards
2024-07-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) welcomes author and maritime journalist, Peter Marsh, to the Speaker Series program with his presentation, “Liberty Factory: A Look at the Kaiser Shipyards,” on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 7:00 pm. This presentation will occur at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660.)
In this talk, Peter Marsh will describe the amazing history of Henry Kaiser’s WWII Oregon shipyards and their impact on the ports and populations of the lower Columbia River from 1940 to 1945.
Peter Marsh was born and raised in Greenwich in SE London–the home of 0 degrees longitude and GMT. He has lived in the USA for over 50 years and began building and sailing a 20’ micro cruiser in Portland in 1981. After sailing from Olympia to Glacier Bay and back twice in 1982 and 1988, he began reporting about yachts and commercial craft on the lower Columbia River for the Freshwater News boating paper. In the 1990s, he became acquainted with Larry Barber, the last marine editor of the Oregonian, who continued writing about the local baiting scene after he retired.
Barber had been the leading reporter covering WWII ship building in Portland, especially the achievements of Henry Kaiser’s three emergency shipyards. He reprised some of these stories for the boating paper, most notably the exploits of the Kaiser yard in St. Johns in North Portland that launched 334 Liberty ships in four years. He called the story “Liberty Ship Capital of the World,” and continued to recall the incredible exploits of Kaiser’s two Portland yards and the Vancouver yard, “the Escort Carrier Champions,” until he died in 1996.
Larry’s widow gave Peter her husband’s archives but it was another 20 years before he finally began to seriously study them with the goal of producing a book to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in 2020. This is the first book to review the region’s forgotten history of wartime shipbuilding, which employed over 180,000 people—30,000 of them women who were trained in a few weeks to become welders, machinists, electricians etc.
“Liberty Factory: A Look at the Kaiser Shipyards” is part of the CCHM’s ongoing Speaker Series, which features talks by local historians, authors, and experts on a variety of topics related to Clark County history.
The CCHM Speaker Series is presented by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. This month’s presentation is sponsored by the Building Industry Association. Admission to the presentation is $5 for the general public and free for CCHM members, veterans, and active-duty military personnel.
For more information about the Clark County Historical Museum or the Speaker Series, please contact us at outreach@cchmuseum.org, visit the museum’s website at cchmuseum.org, or call 360-993-5679.

Stomp and Shout: The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll
2024-08-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
Northwest Rock & Roll’s historical highpoints are well documented—in the late 20th century, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and other grunge gods took the world by storm. Previously, Seattle’s Queensrÿche and Heart had ruled the heavy metal realm. And prior to that, The Wailers, The Kingsmen, Paul Revere and The Raiders, and The Sonics had all fueled local teen dances with garage-rock versions of the region’s signature song, “Louie Louie.”
Yet these iconic bands are only half the story. In this talk, join author Peter Blecha to discover the lesser-known but vitally important bands and scenes that laid the foundation for what was to come—finally connecting all the dots between the fabled Northwest era of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Jimmy Hendrix, and the R&B-spiked roots of a distinct regional artform: the “Original Northwest Sound.”
Peter Blecha (he/him) is the director of the Northwest Music Archives, an award-winning author, a founding curator at MoPop, and a longtime staff historian at HistoryLink.org. Blecha’s newest book, Stomp and Shout: R&B and the Origins of Northwest Rock and Roll, draws on his deep knowledge as a leading expert on Pacific Northwest music history to chronicle both well-known and overlooked icons of the early Northwest Sound.

Orugas a Mariposas
2024-09-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
Clark County Historical Museum and Fourth Plain Forward, as part of the 2024 CCHM Speaker Series, welcomes Diana Avalos Leos with her presentation “Orugas a Mariposas.” The event takes place on Thursday, September 5th at the Fourth Plain Community Commons (3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA 98661.) Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Presentation begins at 7 p.m.
***PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET OR IN THE UMPQUA PARKING LOT***
Latino Leadership Northwest has been a vital force in Latino student education and leadership development in SW WA since 2011. Their unwavering mission empowers Latino youth to build relationships, advocate for their education, and take pride in their achievements, while also providing a safety net of resources for their families. In this presentation, Avalos-Leos will explore the history of the Latino/a community’s leadership in Clark County and this vital organization.
The CCHM Speaker Series season is sponsored by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. This month’s presentation is co-hosted with Fourth Plain Forward and Fourth Plain Community Commons. Admission is free and open to all.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

The Trickster: How this Ancient Archetype Helps Us to Imagine a Better World
2024-10-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
What do Loki, Banksy, Bugs Bunny, Thelonious Monk, Mae West, Yoko Ono, Raven, Eshù Elégba, and Muhammad Ali all have in common? Whether deity or human, all bring Trickster magic to our world.
The Trickster, a character who animates and enlivens humanity’s oldest stories, is frequently misunderstood. Wander and wonder with author Shepherd Siegel through the paradoxes, art, tricks, backfires, pranks, pratfalls, and messianic acts that together form this indestructible component of our collective psyche. From that common ground, we’ll share our own personal encounters with tricksterism and come to an understanding of how the journey from moral indeterminacy to moral discovery can inspire us to imagine and create a better world.
Shepherd Siegel (he/him) is an author and activist. He started off as a professional rock and jazz musician before becoming a teacher for incarcerated youth and students with disabilities. He earned his doctorate at University of California, Berkeley, with studies in anthropology and special education. His recent books, Disruptive Play and Tricking Power into Performing Acts of Love (a Bronze Winner for an INDIES Book of the Year Award and Silver winner of a CIPA Evvy), explore the Trickster in politics and culture.

Vancouver's Legacy of Alternative Education
2024-11-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) is excited to present retired alternative educator Pepper Kim as November’s Speaker Series lecturer on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the program begins at 7:00 pm.
Pepper will delve into the development of the non-traditional learning opportunities for students of Clark County from the 1970s onward, from the humble beginnings of the Rainbow Gardens Learning and Food Cooperative to the development of the Cascadia Tech Academy (Clark County Skills Center) and Running Start.
The presentation is part of the CCHM’s ongoing Speaker Series, which features talks by local historians, authors, and experts on a variety of topics related to Clark County history.
The CCHM Speaker Series is presented by the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. Admission to the presentation is $5 for the general public and free for CCHM members, veterans, and active-duty military personnel. The museum is located at 1511 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660.
For more information about the Clark County Historical Museum or the Speaker Series, please contact us at outreach@cchmuseum.org or call 360-993-5679.

Clark County Historical Museum Speaker Series: Wampanoag Nation History and Soaring Owl's Personal Experiences
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum is proud to announce a special presentation by Lydia Fowler Newcomb (Soaring Owl), as part of its ongoing Speaker Series. On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Lydia will share her insights into the rich history and culture of the Wampanoag Nation, with a focus on both the ancient traditions of the people and her personal experiences as an enrolled member of the Wampanoag Nation, Herring
Pond Clan.
This engaging talk will begin at 7:00 PM, with doors opening at 6:30 PM, and will be held at the Clark County Historical Museum, located at 1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660. The event is free for museum members, with a $5 admission fee for non-members.
The Wampanoag people, whose traditional lands are in the Cape Cod, Massachusetts, area, hold a significant place in American history as the first indigenous group to encounter the Mayflower and early European
settlers. Lydia will explore these early interactions, as well as the traditions, challenges, and cultural richness that define the Wampanoag Nation.
Born in Portland, Oregon, during the WWII era, Lydia has spent much of her life visiting and learning from her Wampanoag family in Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Jefferson High School in Portland and studied history and political science at Reed College and Portland State University. Lydia’s deep connection to her heritage will provide a unique and personal perspective on the enduring legacy of the Wampanoag people.
Event Details:
● Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
● Time: 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
● Location: Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
● Cost: Free for Clark County Historical Museum members; $5 for non-members
This event is an excellent opportunity for the community to learn about the Wampanoag Nation’s history and hear directly from an esteemed member of the tribe.

Big Apples, Big Business: How Washington Became the Apple State
2025-03-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E 4th Plain Blvd Ste.101, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
The Clark County Historic Museum is pleased to present “Big Apples, Big Business: How Washington Became the Apple State” through the generous support of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau and Fourth Plain Community Commons.
Join us for an engaging presentation by Amanda Van Lanen, where we will explore the fascinating history of Washington state’s apple industry. Learn how Washington became the top apple-producing state in the U.S. and how it transformed apples into an industrialized commodity.
“Big Apples, Big Business” delves into the roles of scientists, investors, irrigators, railroad corporations, marketers, and apple growers in shaping Washington’s apple industry. Discover how the state’s commitment to innovation and agriculture made its apples not just a regional product, but a national powerhouse.
Thursday, March 6, 2025
7 PM, Doors open at 6 PM
Location: Fourth Plain Community Commons
3101 E Fourth Plain BlvdVancouver, WA 98661
Cost: Free

They Want Our Rhythm, But Not Our Blues: African American Innovation Through Pop Culture
2025-04-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum is excited to present “They Want Our Rhythm, But Not Our Blues: African American Innovation Through Pop Culture,” a thought-provoking lecture by LaToya Brackett presented through the generous support of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau . This event is part of the CCHM Speaker Series and will explore the profound impact of African American culture on popular culture, from music to sports, language, food, and more.
Date: Friday, April 4, 2025Time: 7:00 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM)Location: Clark County Historical Museum1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 978660
Admission: FREE

Event Details
African Americans have long faced the oppression of freedom and expression. Yet, they have consistently demonstrated remarkable creativity, building a vibrant culture from the struggles and barriers they faced. Their innovations, born of necessity and resilience, have shaped mainstream pop culture—but often, these contributions have been appropriated by those who do not fully understand or embrace the hardships from which they emerged. “They Want Our Rhythm, But Not Our Blues” explores this dynamic, asking us to consider how African American culture is shaped by both the joys and the pain of its people.
LaToya Brackett’s presentation will dive into the intersections of African American culture across music, sports, language, food, and even hair. This lecture calls on the audience to look beyond the rhythm to recognize the blues that lie beneath, appreciating the rich, layered history of Black pop culture. Through this exploration, LaToya will shed light on how African American culture is not just an influence but a vital and complex part of modern pop culture, represented through unique artistic styles and expressions.

CCHM Speaker Series: The Union Makes us Stronger - Labor History in Clark County and the Pacific Northwest
2025-05-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join us on May Day—International Workers’ Day—for a fascinating talk with Dr. Laurie Mercier, as we explore how labor unions and working people have shaped the history of Clark County and the broader Pacific Northwest.

Dr. Mercier will delve into the rich and often surprising history uncovered during the creation of the Labor: A Working History exhibit at CCHM. From early struggles for better working conditions to the fight for the eight-hour day, discover how our local history ties into global movements for workers’ rights.
Laurie Mercier is the Claudius O. and Mary W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of History at Washington State University Vancouver, where since 1995 she has taught the history of the United States, the Pacific Northwest, immigration and migration, women, and labor. She is former associate director of the Center for Columbia River History, a former president of the Oral History Association, former co-director of the WSUV Center for Social and Environmental Justice, and co-director of the WSUV Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive project:
https://content.libraries.wsu.edu/…/cchm/custom/crbasin.

Mercier has authored numerous publications that explore the intersections of class, race, gender, and region, and about memory and oral history, including the books Speaking History: The American Past through Oral Histories, 1865-2001; Mining Women: Gender in the Development of a Global Industry, 1670-2000; and Anaconda: Labor, Community, and Culture in Montana’s Smelter City. Over the years she has collaborated often with the Museum, including co-curating the exhibits Labor: A Working History (2013-15)
To view the exhibit (and other past exhibits) – https://cchmuseum.org/digital-exhibits/
and Bridging the Gap: the History of the I-5 Columbia River Bridge (2011-12).

This event is free and open to the public

CCHM Speaker Series: Fort Vancouver and the Story of America
2025-06-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, 1501 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA, 98661
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.

CCHM Speaker Series: The Blacklist Era and Hollywood
2025-07-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Battle Ground Event Center, 912 East Main Street, Battle Ground, 98604, United States
“Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”
This chilling question defined an era. At the height of the Cold War, it sent shockwaves through Hollywood and devastated countless careers. During the 1940s Red Scare, the House Committee on Un-American Activities made headlines by compelling actors, writers, and directors to testify about alleged Communist affiliations. The choice was stark: betray friends and colleagues by “naming names,” or risk blacklisting and the end of one’s livelihood.
In this thought-provoking, film-clip-illustrated presentation, film critic and historian Robert Horton explores the stories of those caught in the hysteria—figures like Humphrey Bogart, Elia Kazan, and Charlie Chaplin—and examines how fear, patriotism, and politics collided on the silver screen. The evening will conclude by asking a provocative question: Could it happen again?
Robert Horton (he/him) is a nationally respected film critic and historian. A longtime contributor to Seattle Weekly, the Everett Herald, and KUOW, Horton is a member of the National Society of Film Critics and the author of several books, including a study of Frankenstein. He has served as a Fulbright specialist, Smithsonian Journeys speaker, and educator at Seattle University and London’s Architectural Association. He currently hosts The Music and the Movies radio show and lives in Seattle.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
Presentation: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Venue: Battle Ground Event Center
912 East Main Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Admission: Free
Advance registration required. Space is very limited—reserve your ticket today.
Please note: This event is not being held at the Clark County Historical Museum.
Sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission

CCHM Speaker Series: Martha's Pantry - Serving Southwest Washington Since 1986
2025-08-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Martha’s Pantry: Serving Clark County Since 1986
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Clark County Historical Museum
1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
Free for CCHM Members | $5 for Non-Members
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Talk Begins: 7:00 PM
Join us for an evening with Vicki Smith, retired Air Force Lt. Colonel and longtime Executive Director of Martha’s Pantry, as she shares the powerful and deeply personal history of one of Clark County’s most compassionate organizations.
Founded during the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, Martha’s Pantry began as a grassroots effort—neighbors helping neighbors by distributing food from car trunks. Today, under Vicki’s 20+ years of leadership, the pantry has grown into a vital resource serving over 100 families a month, with expanded services including:

Personal hygiene and toiletry items
Donated clothing through Michele’s Closet
Pet food and cleaning supplies
Food pantry staples with client choice menus

This program will explore the pantry’s past, present, and future—and what role each of us can play in supporting dignity, survival, and community for those facing crisis.
🎤 About the Presenter
Vicki Smith has led a multifaceted life—from serving in the U.S. Air Force to directing one of Clark County’s most impactful nonprofits. Since taking the helm at Martha’s Pantry, a mission of MCC of the Gentle Shepherd Church, she has transformed the all-volunteer organization from a 10×10 room with no budget into a 3,000-square-foot community lifeline.
Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cchm-speaker-series-marthas-pantry-serving-clark-county-since-1986-tickets-1505838666989?aff=oddtdtcreator

CCHM Speaker Series: Fort Vancouver’s First Centennial & Its Coin with Martin Middlewood
2025-09-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Fort Vancouver’s First Centennial & Its CoinDate: Thursday, September 11, 2025Time: Doors open at 6 PM | Talk begins at 7 PMLocation: Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660Cost: Free for CCHM Members | $5 for Non-Member
Join historian and award-winning writer Martin Middlewood for a fascinating journey into the chaotic, ambitious, and little-known story of Fort Vancouver’s 1925 Centennial celebration—a commemoration powered by community pride, political wrangling, and a special 50-cent commemorative coin.
Learn how forgotten history was revived, coins were flown in on a daring one-day trip to San Francisco, and last-minute challenges reshaped the celebration. Middlewood will place the event in its national context and reveal what happened after the fanfare faded.

Speaker Series: The Murder of JoAnn Dewey, presented by Pat Jolotta
2025-10-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Historic Covington House, 4201 Main St, Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Before midnight on March 19, 1950, startled bystanders outside Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Vancouver, Washington, witnessed a horrifying scene: two men forcing a screaming young woman into a car. That woman, JoAnn Dewey, was never seen alive again.
Dewey had recently moved to Portland to work and share an apartment with a friend. On this fateful night, she missed her bus home and walked to the hospital, planning to spend the night with another friend. By the next morning, a massive search for her was underway.
The case culminated in the longest trial in Clark County history at the time and ended with a death sentence for the Wilson brothers. Yet the story did not end there—appeals, escapes, and shocking courtroom testimony kept the case in the headlines until their execution in 1953.
Local historian and author Pat Jollota will lead us through the twists, turns, and dark truths of this remarkable case, shedding new light on one of the region’s most disturbing chapters.
Please Note: Due to ongoing upgrades to the Clark County Historical Museum’s roof, this month’s Speaker Series will be hosted at the Historic Covington House. Seating is extremely limited. Registration is required. This event is free and open to the public.
About Pat Jollota
Pat Jollota is a beloved historian, author, and former Vancouver City Council member whose work has shaped how Clark County remembers its past. Over two decades on the council, she championed historic preservation and community initiatives, including helping establish the Arthur D. Curtis Children’s Justice Center. As curator of the Clark County Historical Museum, she inspired countless residents with her deep love of local history. Jollota is the author of numerous books, including Naming Clark County, The Murder of JoAnn Dewey in Vancouver, Washington, and Haunted Vancouver. Recognized as Clark County’s First Citizen in 2012, she continues to be celebrated for preserving the stories that define our community.

Speaker Series: “What Is a Chief? How Native Values Can Teach Resilience”
2025-11-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) concludes its 2025 Speaker Series with “What Is a Chief? How Native Values Can Teach Resilience,” featuring Native artist and former tribal leader John Halliday. The event will take place Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660).
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but registration is required. Visit cchmuseum.org for tickets.
At age 55, John Halliday became legally blind. A Muckleshoot Tribal member of Duwamish ancestry, Halliday credits his Native American worldview, cultural traditions, and values—practices that have sustained Native tribes long before colonization—with helping him overcome the challenges of losing his sight.
Too often, our understanding of American history begins with the arrival of European powers, overlooking the thriving Indigenous communities that already existed. Through his personal story, Halliday offers audiences a deeper understanding of Washington State history from a Native perspective, and how these enduring cultural values can teach us about resilience and leadership today.
About the Speaker
John Halliday (he/him) is a legally blind Native American artist of Muckleshoot, Duwamish, Yakama, and Warm Springs descent. He recently retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he served as Deputy Regional Director for the Navajo Region, and has also held leadership roles as CEO for the Muckleshoot and Snoqualmie Tribes.
As an artist known by the name Coyote, Halliday’s work has been featured at Lakewold Gardens, ANT Gallery, and the Sacred Circle Galleries of American Indian Art. He currently resides in Steilacoom, Washington.
This program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission.
Register here

CCHM Speaker Series: How America Talks (Differently) About Slavery
2026-02-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
CCHM Speaker Series Presents: How America Talks (Differently) About Slavery
The Clark County Historical Museum is proud to present the next installment of its Speaker Series, How America Talks (Differently) About Slavery, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Clark County Historical Museum.
Since colonial times, religious and political divides have shaped how Americans discuss and interpret the history of slavery. From The New York Times’ 1619 Project to the Trump administration’s 1776 Report, competing visions of race and slavery reflect long-standing tensions between critiquing and celebrating America’s past.
In this timely and thought-provoking talk, attendees will explore the ongoing debates surrounding the history of slavery and how these conversations continue to influence education, politics, religion, and culture. The presentation will examine how struggles over historical memory extend beyond the classroom into the public sphere, revealing the central role these debates play in America’s fractured civic life and national identity.
The evening will feature guest speaker R. Charles Weller, PhD, Associate Professor of History (Career) at Washington State University and Senior Research Fellow at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Dr. Weller’s work focuses on religious-cultural identity and relations in Western-Asian and world history. He has published extensively in both English and Kazakh and is currently working on a multi-volume study examining how Jewish, Christian, and Islamic sacred law traditions have shaped American legal heritage. Dr. Weller resides in Redmond, Washington.
Admission to this program is free and open to the public. However, space is limited, and advance registration is required to ensure a seat. Register here.
This program is made possible with generous support from Humanities Washington, the Vancouver NAACP Branch 1139 – B, and the Historic Preservation Commission.

CCHM Speaker Series: Hidden Layers: Women’s Undergarments and How They’ve Shaped Ladies’ Liberties
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave, Camas, WA, 98607, United States
What do corsets, petticoats, bloomers, and modern foundations have in common?
They tell the story of women’s lives, liberties, and changing roles in society.
Join the Clark County Historical Museum for Hidden Layers: Women’s Undergarments and How They’ve Shaped Ladies’ Liberties, an engaging and entertaining Speaker Series presentation that explores how fashion has both restricted and liberated the female body over time.
From garments designed to constrain movement to innovations that prioritize comfort and freedom, women’s undergarments have long reflected society’s expectations around modesty, beauty, and independence. Blending humor with historical insight, this talk “pulls back the layers” to reveal how intimate apparel mirrors broader movements for gender equality and social change.
The program is presented by Diane Johnston, a theatrical costume designer with more than 35 years of experience creating costumes for productions throughout the region. Johnston holds an MFA in costume design and is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required as seating is limited. Register here.
This program is made possible with generous support from Humanities Washington, the Camas Public Library, and the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission.

Vancouver’s Poet: The Life and Works of Mary Barnard
2026-04-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, 1501 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA, 98661
Discover Vancouver poet Mary Barnard with historian Betty Bell; her modernist poetry, ties to Ezra Pound, and famed translations of Sappho.

Join us for an inspiring evening with local literary historian Betty Bell as she partners with the Clark County Historical Museum to share the remarkable story of Vancouver poet Mary Barnard for our Speaker Series.
From her early years exploring the forests and beaches of the Pacific Northwest to her studies at Reed College and her time in New York City’s literary circles, Barnard developed a distinctive voice in 20th century modernist poetry. Betty Bell, personal friend and literary executor for Barnard, will guide us through Barnard’s life, her connections with literary figures such as Ezra Pound, and her lasting contributions to the literary world, including her celebrated translation of Sappho, which remains a classic today.
Attendees will also enjoy readings from Barnard’s work, highlighting the vivid imagery and precise language that made her a treasured figure in American poetry. Through Bell’s engaging storytelling, you will discover the personal and professional journey of a writer whose quiet brilliance left a lasting legacy in Vancouver and beyond.
This installment of the Clark County Historical Museum Speaker Series will be presented at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center with generous media sponsorship from The Columbian.
Cost: Free (Registration Required. Register HERE)
Location:
Fort Vancouver Visitor Center
1501 E Evergreen Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98661

Speaker Series: The American Revolution's End and an Empire's Beginning
2026-05-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, 1501 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA, 98661
The Clark County Historical Society presents Humanities Washington speaker Lawrence B. A. Hatter for the May installment of its Speaker Series.
“Could the American Revolution have been both a fight for human liberty—and for empire and dominance?”
Historian Lawrence Hatter explores the striking duality at the heart of the Revolutionary era. Audiences will encounter a generation that secured historic victories for universal human rights while simultaneously pursuing conquest and expansion. The program examines pivotal moments such as the Battle of Fallen Timbers, where a U.S. victory over a Native confederacy opened the door to continued invasion of Indigenous lands.
As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, this program invites reflection on how the nation can celebrate the Founders’ achievements while reckoning with the complexities of their legacy.
Presented by the Clark County Historical Society in partnership with the National Park Service.
Sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Historic Preservation Commission.
Media sponsor: The Columbian.
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026Doors Open: 6:00 PMProgram Begins: 7:00 PM
Location:Fort Vancouver Visitor Center1501 E Evergreen BlvdVancouver, WA 98661
Admission: Free (Registration required)
