Clark County Historical Museum Speaker Series: Wampanoag Nation History and Soaring Owl's Personal Experiences
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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
