Covington House Open House
2023-10-15 12:00 - 15:00, 2023-11-19 12:00 - 15:00, 2023-12-17 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-01-21 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-02-18 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-17 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-04-21 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Historic Covington House, 4201 Main St, Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States

Campfire Tales 5: Little Couve of Horror
2023-10-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Clark County Historical Museum wraps up its 2023 History on Tap season at the Kiggins Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 18, with the fifth and final year of “Campfire Tales: Little Couve of Horror.” Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
For this final rendition of Campfire Tales, local historians Pat Jollota, Brad Richardson, and Jeff Davis bring their spookiest and creepiest stories from Clark County’s past – including never before heard haunting accounts as well as tales of vice and crime.
Before the main event, see if you can figure out which tidbits of history are true and which ones are fake in our newest segment, One History and A Lie. And learn who is the true King or Queen of trivia as we conclude this year’s head-to-head battle between the husband-and-wife duo behind our season sponsor, My Family Guide, Ben and Angela Surrat, during Clark County Trivia.
Admission to History on Tap is $12 for CCHM members, $15 in advance for non-members, and $18 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Kiggins Theatre Box Office or online at https://www.kigginstheatre.com/movie/history-on-tap—campfire-tales-5/.
The History on Tap season is brought to you by My Family Guide. Special thanks to our show sponsors: the Historic Music Preservation Project and Realvest. Program support provided by Versa Events.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

Vancouver Writers Guild Workshop
2023-10-19 18:30 - 19:30, 2023-11-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2023-12-21 18:30 - 19:30, 2024-01-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States

Haunted Walking Tours
2023-10-20 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-10-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-10-27 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-10-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Tickets on sale August 7th! For more information go to https://cchmuseum.org/programs-events/haunted-walking-tours/

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.

#CCHM After Hours Open House
2023-11-03 17:00 - 20:00, 2023-12-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Have you ever wondered where the PNW’s love for hops and IPAs began? Or who was the first female riverboat captain on the Columbia? Have fun and meet others every First Friday while exploring our community’s history during #CCHMuseum After Hours!
Each monthly event showcases a different theme with experiences such as pop-up exhibits, workshops, live performances, author readings, and more. While you’re here, be sure to explore our award winning exhibits to learn about the women who helped build the Clark County or dance through the history of music in our community.

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.

***RESCHEDULED*** History A-Brewin': Lucky Lager Untapped
2024-02-22 19:00 - 21:00 | WA
Due to current road conditions, tonight’s History on Tap program has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 22nd. All current ticket holders will receive additional information from the Kiggins Theatre. Please contact outreach@cchmuseum.org if you have any additional questions. We thank you for your understanding. Please be safe out there!
Clark County Historical Museum kicks off its 2024 History on Tap season at the Kiggins Theatre on Thursday, January 18th with historians Tyler Castle and Pat Franco presenting “History a-Brewin’: Lucky Lager Untapped.” The program will celebrate the 90-year history of the Lucky Lager Brewing Company through an exploration of past marketing campaigns, memorabilia, and other pieces of the company’s past.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
Founded in San Francisco in 1934, Lucky Lager Brewing Company was one of the first major breweries to open in the Pacific Northwest after Prohibition. The company’s flagship beer, Lucky Lager, quickly became a popular choice for beer drinkers in the region. From 1934 until 1982 Lucky Lager’s iconic brew was produced in Vancouver. Embark on a nostalgic adventure as we delve into the captivating narrative of this brand – tracing its early beginnings through its enduring legacy in Vancouver’s brewing scene.
Take home a piece of Lucky Lager history! Donate $10 to CCHM at the show and receive a 70-year-old Lucky Lager bottle opener and four of their iconic 50-year-old puzzle beer caps.
Pat Franco, a renowned historian in the realm of beer memorabilia, has passionately curated and collected artifacts since the age of 17, starting his journey in 1980. Specializing in Lucky Lager Brewery, he has become the go-to authority on the brand’s history, earning a well-deserved reputation as the most prominent historian in the field. Explore the fascinating world of brewing through the eyes of a dedicated collector and historian, as Pat Franco brings the story of Lucky Lager Brewery to life.
Tyler Castle born in Vancouver, WA longtime collector of all things Lucky Lager. Tyler has been around Lucky since birth with family members working there including his father, Larry Castle. Tyler is passionate about saving all the history from the brewery be it physical or stories. Over the past 30 plus years he has amassed the largest Lucky Lager brewing collection in the world in a big part through his longtime friendship with Patrick Franco.
Before the main event, see if you can figure out which tidbits of history are true and which ones are fake in our newest segment, “A History and A Lie”. And watch as contestants battle for the title of “King of Trivia” during Clark County Trivia.
Tickets to History on Tap are now $5 in advance. Event day admission is $10 at the door and free for CCHM Members. Purchase your tickets at the Kiggins Theatre Box Office or online at https://www.kigginstheatre.com/movie/history-on-tap—history-a-brewin-lucky-lager-untapped/.
The 2024 History on Tap season is brought to you by Vancouver’s Downtown Association. This month’s presentation is sponsored by Archaeological Services, LLC. Program support provided by Versa Events.

“A Teacher Goes to War” Book Talk and Presentation by author Jeff Dacus
2024-02-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join Retired Vancouver School District teacher and author, Jeff Dacus, for his presentation and book talk, “A Teacher Goes to War,” Saturday, February 24, 2024, The event will occur in-person at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660).
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Dacus will present a book talk about “Desert Storm: Marines,” a story of a group of young men that included college students, a plumber, a farmer, a Boeing engineer, laborers, and a teacher, that were called into service during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The Marine reservists came from all over Washington State: Bremerton, Kent, Woodinville, Spokane, Yakima, Vancouver, and all points of the compass. They spent three weeks training on new equipment, went to Saudi Arabia where they led the liberation of Kuwait, and a few weeks later returned to assume their civilian occupations. They were truly “citizen-soldiers.”
Jeff Dacus (MSgt. USMC ret.) is former teacher, author, speaker, and historian. He has written three books, Desert Storm Marines: A Marine Tank Company in the Gulf, Fighting Corsairs: The Men of Marine Fighting Squadron, and Perceptions of Battle: Washington’s Victory at Monmouth.
This event is free to the public. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

#CCHM After Hours Local Author Fair
2024-03-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
A celebration of the written word is coming to #CCHMuseum After Hours this September! Brought to you by Clark County Historical Museum and Birdhouse Books, the Local Authors Book Fair features a fantastic array of familiar and new local authors representing a broad range of genres at this free, family friendly event.
A few of the authors expected to attend include:

Pat Jollota – Naming Clark County, Darkness Next Door, Murder of JoAnn Dewey, Vanishing Vancouver, Haunted Vancouver
Jeff Davis – Weird Washington, Custer’s Other Brother-in-Law, Ghost, Critters, and Sacred Places Vol I-III
Donna Sinclair – Black Woman in Green
Russell Mickler – The Ballad of Skyer Dannon
Patty Grasher – Explore Vancouver Washington
Kathy Box – A Continent Between Us
Gina Mercado – Birdie Flies
Kristen Burchell – Enter Elisabeth
Gretchen McLellan – When Your Daddy’s a Soldier
Deb Cushman – Frigg’s Journey to Anasga

The Local Author Fair is a free event for all ages, including children, teens, adults, and families.
#CCHMuseum After Hours is a monthly event that showcases a different theme with experiences such as pop-up exhibits, workshops, live performances, author readings, and more. It is part of the museum’s ongoing commitment to promoting community partners and their stories. The Clark County Local Authors Book Fair is a great opportunity to discover new books and authors. It is also a chance to support local businesses and the arts.
For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

When Vancouver Missed the Boat: Those who kept Vancouver from Growing
2024-03-04 18:00 - 20:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Chapter DJ PEO and the Clark County Historical Museum are partnering on Monday, March 4, 2024 to host a presentation by Vancouver’s Historian, Pat Jollota, titled “When Vancouver Missed the Boat: Those who kept Vancouver from Growing.” The event is both a presentation and a fundraiser for the Chapter DJ PEO scholarship program. All proceeds will go to the Women’s Educational Scholarships Program. The event will occur in person at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660). Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the presentation begins at 6:00 p.m.
Click this link to purchase tickets – An Evening with Pat
Renown local historian, Pat Jollota, will guide the audience through the trials and tribulations surrounding the development of Vancouver. From the early endeavors to bring a railway to the burgeoning town to the numerous battles over bridging the Columbia River. Jollota’s encyclopedia knowledge of our area’s history and expert and often humorous oration style will make for an evening not to be missed.
When one thinks of history in Clark County the first person who comes to mind is Pat Jollota. Pat has devoted decades of her life to gathering, saving, and sharing the stories of Vancouver, Washington, and Clark County.
Pat arrived in Vancouver in 1982. In that same year, she started her 18-year career at the Clark County Historical Museum. In her roles as curator at the Museum, Pat would spend innumerable hours reading through the Columbian newspaper, hearing the stories of guests to the research library, and telling newly uncovered stories of Clark County. She started writing down the history of Clark County in the pages of the Clark County historical Museum’s annual, Clark County History. However, her first book Naming Clark County was an immediate hit. To this day, Naming Clark County is one of the most popular local books available.
Since then, Pat’s authorship of local history has been prolific, writing Darkness Next Door, Downtown Vancouver, Camas, Legendary Locals of Vancouver, Vanishing Vancouver, The Murder of Joanne Dewey in Vancouver, Washington, and Haunted Vancouver Washington. Pat Jollota’s story is one of a historian who has made history while saving and sharing it.
This event is sponsored by the Clark County Historic Museum. Tickets are $15 and are limited. Cookie and coffee with be served. All proceeds from ticket sales, donations made at the event, and sales of Darkness Next Door and Naming Clark County will go to the Women’s Educational Scholarship of PEO.
Can’t make the talk, but still want to support? You can donate in support of the scholarship fund at www.cchmuseum.org/give_peo/
For more information, contact Carol Jean McClelland, Events Director, chapterdjpeo@gmail.com.

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.

SW Washington Regional History Day: Museum Closed
2024-03-09 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
CCHMuseum will be closed Saturday, March 9th as staff judges the SW Washington Regional History Day competition.

Movie Screening "Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts"
2024-03-30 16:00 - 17:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Clark County Historical Museum will host a screening of “Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts” by local documentarian, Dru Holley.
Established by Congress, the 14th Amendment promised citizenship in exchange for enlistment, prompting many African American men. They were denied due to Jim Crow laws but still served. The film examines the profound and often-contradictory roles played by Buffalo Soldiers in U.S. history, and how they fought on two sets of front lines: military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home.
See the trailer: https://www.pbs.org/video/local-usa-buffalo-soldiers-fighting-on-two-fronts-trailer/
Stay after the screening for a post-film Q&A with Holley.
Admission is free. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.

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.

Community Take Over with Fourth Plain Forward
2024-04-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join Fourth Plain Forward during this month’s #CCHMuseum After Hours for a meet and greet with the artist behind Mother Camas, Toma Villa, before it’s unveiling on April 20th. Stop by to hear the inspiring story behind Mother Camas, see Toma’s incredible artwork, and learn more about this amazing nonprofit.

Roll 20: D&D and the Power of Community Storytelling
2024-04-18 19:00 - 21:00 | WA
Prepare to roll for initiative on a fascinating exploration of the world’s most popular tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons, and its surprising impact on individuals and communities during Clark County Historical Museum’s History on Tap. “Roll 20: D&D and the Power of Community Storytelling,” presented by April Pereira, will delve into the unexpected benefits of D&D, showcasing how this imaginative game fosters creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and social connection. The presentation will take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Kiggins Theatre.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
Since its introduction 50 years ago, Dungeons & Dragons has grown from a niche hobby into a global phenomenon. Join Pereira as they look beyond fantastical creatures and thrilling battles to reveal the game’s deeper significance as a powerful form of community storytelling, one that unlocks creativity, builds meaningful connections, and shapes us into better versions of ourselves.
“Dungeons & Dragons is more than a game,” says Pereira. “It’s a celebration of the human capacity for imagination, collaboration, and connection. Whether you’re a seasoned dungeon delver or a curious newcomer, this presentation will offer a fresh perspective on the power of storytelling and its ability to bring people together.”
April (Buzby) Pereira (she/they) is the outreach and public programs manager at Clark County Historical Museum and founder of Lymantria Press. An author and community advocate, they’ve spent their career working with disenfranchised groups to foster community and find their voice. Pereira earned their masters of community and regional planning (MCRP) from the University of Oregon with a focus on social infrastructure, community building, and participatory governance. Their debut novel The Artificer’s Dilemma is due out Winter 2025. Pereira can be found at aprilpereira.com and lymantria.press.
Before the main event, see if you can figure out which tidbits of history are true and which ones are fake in our newest segment, “A History and A Lie.” Also, watch as contestants battle for the title of “King of Trivia” during Clark County Trivia.
Admission to History on Tap is $5 in advance. Day of admission is $10 for the public and free for CCHM Members. Purchase your tickets at the Kiggins Theatre Box Office or online at kigginstheatre.com.
The 2024 History on Tap season is presented by Vancouver’s Downtown Association. This month’s program is sponsored by Bounce-N-Battle. Program support provided by Versa Events.
About the Clark County Historical Museum
The Clark County Historical Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Clark County, Washington. The museum offers a variety of exhibits, programs, and events throughout the year. For more information, contact us at outreach@cchmuseum.org, visit the museum’s website at cchmuseum.org, or call (360) 993-5679.
About History on Tap
History on Tap is a series of casual talks built on the premise that history didn’t end on some dusty date on the calendar but is a dynamic story where every person is an active participant. This amusing, informative, and interactive program returns for a sixth season of bringing together two of the world’s favorite things – history and beer – in one of Clark County’s most treasured venues, Kiggins Theatre.
