Clark County Historical Museum

History on Tap: Liberty Factory - A Look at the Kaiser Shipyards
2026-02-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Old Liberty Theater, 115 Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA, 98642, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum is pleased to welcome back author and maritime journalist Peter Marsh for the next installment of its popular History on Tap series. Marsh will present “Liberty Factory: A Look at the Kaiser Shipyards” on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Old Liberty Theater in Ridgefield.
In this engaging presentation, Marsh will explore the remarkable story of Henry Kaiser’s World War II shipyards in the Pacific Northwest and their profound impact on the ports and communities of the lower Columbia River between 1940 and 1945. Drawing from rare photographs, personal diaries, and firsthand accounts, Marsh brings to life the region’s vital—yet often overlooked—role in what President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously called the “Arsenal of Democracy.”
Born in 1947 in Greenwich, England, Peter Marsh developed an early passion for boats and maritime history. After emigrating to the United States in 1972, he settled in Portland and built a 20-foot sailboat by hand, exploring much of the Pacific Northwest. These adventures launched a successful career in marine journalism, where Marsh covered regional maritime life from fishing and recreation to commercial shipping.
In 1996, Marsh inherited an extensive archive of papers and photographs from Larry Barber, the late marine editor of The Oregonian. A visit to the D-Day beaches in Normandy inspired Marsh to take a closer look at Barber’s wartime materials, uncovering a rich and detailed record of Oregon and Southwest Washington’s shipbuilding efforts during World War II. Over the past several years, Marsh has shared this research with audiences throughout the lower Columbia River region, helping to revive interest in the area’s critical contribution to the war effort.
History on Tap is presented through the generous support of Old Liberty Theater, Ridgefield Main Street, and Building Industry Association of Clark County. Admission is $5 for the general public and free for CCHM members, veterans, and active-duty military personnel. Registration is required and available here.

Penguin Talks: How History Works - The Diary of a Local Historian
2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Vancouver Community Library (Columbian Room), 901 C St, Vancouver, 98660, United States
Join Clark County Historical Museum Executive Director Brad Richardson on Wednesday, March 4 at noon in the Columbia Room at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library for an engaging talk on what it means to serve as both a steward and storyteller of our community’s shared history. Brad will explore the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of preserving the past while making it meaningful for today’s audiences.
This free program is open to the public and will be held at the library’s main branch, 901 C Street, Vancouver, WA 98660.

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.

CCHM After Hours: League of Women Voters
2026-03-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join us for CCHM After Hours at the Clark County Historical Museum!
Celebrate community, culture, and connection during a special evening at the museum. On Friday, March 6, enjoy free admission from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and explore our exhibits after hours in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Connect with local organizations that are strengthening civic life in Southwest Washington, and meet our featured community partner for the evening: the League of Women Voters.
The League of Women Voters is a nationally respected, nonpartisan grassroots organization with a nearly 105-year legacy of empowering voters and defending democracy. Founded in 1920 to help newly enfranchised women exercise their right to vote, the League continues today to encourage informed and active participation in government, increase understanding of public policy issues, expand voter access, protect voting rights, and promote civic engagement for people of all backgrounds without supporting any political party or candidate.
At this After Hours event, representatives from the League will be onsite to share resources, answer questions, and highlight ways you can get involved in building a more informed and inclusive democracy right here in our community.
Come learn more about the League’s work and how everyday citizens can engage in shaping our civic future!

Spring Equinox Native Art Market
2026-03-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum is delighted to host the Spring Equinox Native Art Market on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the museum.
This dynamic community event will feature 17 gifted local Indigenous artists and vendors, blending returning favorites with exciting new participants. Visitors can shop a wide selection of handcrafted pieces, including original artwork, jewelry, beadwork, crafts, and other Indigenous-created goods. Whether you are looking for something meaningful for your home or a one of a kind gift, the market offers an inspiring range of work rooted in tradition and creativity.
The afternoon will also include a live performance by internationally acclaimed Native American flutist Dr. Sherrie Davis, whose music will add a powerful and uplifting element to the celebration.
Admission to the museum will be free during the event, inviting guests to explore exhibits that share and preserve the stories of Southwest Washington’s diverse communities.
The Spring Equinox Native Art Market provides a welcoming space to support Indigenous artists, celebrate cultural heritage, and gather in community.
For more information, please contact the museum at 360-993-5679.

A Map Of Her Own: An Afternoon Author Talk With Dede Montgomery
2026-03-28 12:00 - 13:30 | Historic Covington House, 4201 Main St, Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join the Clark County Historical Museum for a special midday author talk at the historic Covington House.

On Saturday, March 28 at noon, sixth-generation Pacific Northwest author and blogger Dede Montgomery will share the stories, history, and family legacies that shape her writing and connect deeply to the Columbia River region.
Montgomery’s latest novel, A Map of Her Own, moves between contemporary Astoria and early 1900s Camas, weaving together personal discovery and regional history. Her talk will explore the historical threads behind her work, including:
• Early settlers who traveled up the Columbia River to Fort Vancouver
• Connections to the Jason Lee missionaries
• Early Oregon land claims
• Maritime history and Pacific Northwest industry
• The beginnings of the Camas paper mill
• The role of place, memory, and heritage in storytelling
Montgomery is the author of six books, including My Music Man, Humanity’s Grace, Beyond the Ripples, and Then, Now and In-Between. Her work blends history, memoir, and fiction to illuminate the people and landscapes that define Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Books will be available for purchase following the program.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.
