Clark County Historical Museum

Covington House Open House
2024-08-18 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-15 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-20 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-11-17 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Historic Covington House, 4201 Main St, Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States

Wander Clark County Walking Tours: Remarkable Women of Clark County
2024-08-24 09:00 - 10:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Clark County Historical Museum is celebrating our Main Streets and the people who helped shape our community during its 2024 Wander Clark County Summer Walking Tour Series starting Saturday, June 29th at 9:00 am.
This annual and popular series offers Clark County residents and visitors the opportunity to visit several of the area’s most fascinating neighborhoods and city centers. This year’s tours will highlight the following locations:

Jun 29 Old City Cemetery
Jul 13 Celebrate Main Street: Historic Ridgefield
Jul 27 Celebrate Main Street: Old Town Battle Ground
Aug 10 That’s Entertainment: Celebrating Downtown Vancouver
Aug 24 (Her)Story: Remarkable Women of Clark County
Sep 7 Celebrate Main Street: Downtown Camas

Guides will lead up to 30 people for approximately a mile, making frequent stops along the way to view buildings, tell stories, and answer questions. Good walking shoes and balance aids are recommended; terrain varies and, except for Old City Cemetery, consists mostly of city sidewalks.
All are welcome on the tours, though they are best suited for those 13 years and older. Tours happen rain or shine. Please dress and hydrate appropriately. There are no restroom stops on the tours.
Tickets are $10.00 for non-members. CCHM members are free but RSVP is required. To purchase your tickets, go to our Eventbrite ticketing page.
For questions, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

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.

Clark County Local Authors Fair
2024-09-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Calling all book lovers! The Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) and StorySpark Collective are thrilled to bring back the Clark County Local Authors Fair on Friday, September 6th, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Join us at the museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660) to meet a fantastic array of 15+ local authors, both established and up-and-coming, who will showcase their work across a variety of genres. Get ready to discover your next favorite read! Some of the featured authors include Jeff Davis, Russell Mickler, Patty Grasher, Donna Sinclair, Deb Cushman, Gina Mercado, and many more!
The Local Authors Fair is a free event open to the public. It coincides with Vancouver’s Downtown Association’s First Friday Art Walk, so you can make an evening of exploring art, literature, and local culture.
The #CCHMuseum After Hours events are known for offering a variety of experiences. Expect to encounter community takeovers, pop-up exhibits, workshops, live performances, and author readings throughout the evening. This is a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses and the arts scene while celebrating the power of storytelling.
For additional details, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

Wander Clark County Walking Tours: Historic Downtown Camas
2024-09-07 09:00 - 10:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States

CCHM 60th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner and Auction
2024-09-28 17:00 - 21:00 | Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th St, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
Communities are built upon connecting people through shared stories and experiences. At the Clark County Historical Museum & Society, we are the keepers of these memories; our mission is to gather, save, and share these reflections. Our Museum has, as of this year, been saving our story for 60 years and it’s time to celebrate. It is only through generous support from the community that our collective story lives on.
We will host our 2024 CCHM Fundraising Dinner and Auction on September 28, 2024. More than 90% of our Museum’s annual operating budget depends on contributions from community partners who see the value in saving and sharing pieces of Clark County history. The venue will be the Historic Hangar in Pearson Airfield, an iconic historic site in Vancouver, Washington. Our theme is celebrating the Clark County Historical Museum’s 60th Anniversary! There will be themed entertainment, a sumptuous dinner, an exciting program, and silent and live auctions.
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: Doors open at 5:00 pm and dinner at 6:15 pm
Location: 1115 E 5th St, Vancouver, WA 98661 (Historic Hangar at Pearson Airfield)
Click here to purchase tickets – https://square.link/u/q8tP91hY

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.

Community Take-over: League of Women Voters of Clark County
2024-10-04 17:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Come to a Celebration of Voting First Friday on October 4, 5 – 8pm, at the Clark County Historical Museum! Discover why voting is key to democracy through fun activities and games. Join a team to play Spin the Wheel or the Election Night Game. Vote for the winning Fat Bear at the Contest on Alaska’s Katmai Peninsula on our Voting Machine! Explore how to unpack what the various initiatives on the ballot mean, VoteWA.gov, find info on your candidates and redrawn district lines. Sip a beer taste at the History of Brewing. Naturally we will register you to vote!

Weird Washington: Washington's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets
2024-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | WA
The Clark County Historical Museum presents local authority on the odd, Jeff Davis.
Weird Washington: Washington’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets will explore regional legends and Pacific Northwest oddities of Washington State. This special event is part of the History on Tap series at the Kiggins Theatre and will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm.
Historian and author, Jeff Davis, guide the audience through Washington’s cryptids, supernatural occurrences, UFO sightings, and colorful characters.
Before the main event, see if you can figure out which tidbits of history are true and which ones are fake in our segment, “One History and A Lie.” Also, watch as contestants battle for the title of “King (or Queen) of Trivia” during Clark County Trivia.
Admission to History on Tap is free for CCHM Members and $5 in advance for the general public. Day of admission is $10 for the public. Purchase your tickets at the Kiggins Theatre Box Office or online at https://www.kigginstheatre.com/checkout/showing/history-on-tap—weird-washington-washingtons-local-legends-and-best-kept-secrets/1184042.
The 2024 History on Tap season is presented by Vancouver’s Downtown Association. This month’s program sponsor is Heritage Bank and supporting sponsor is Silver Keys Media. Program support provided by Versa Events.

An Evening with Vancouver’s Historian Pat Jollota: Clark County’s Remarkable Women to Remember
2024-10-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join us for a special evening celebrating the influential women of Clark County, presented by esteemed local historian Pat Jollota. The event, titled “Clark County’s Remarkable Women to Remember,” will take place on Monday, October 21, 2024, 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.
During this engaging presentation, Pat Jollota will shine a spotlight on notable figures such as Mother Joseph, Esther Short, and Mary Schofield, among many others who have played pivotal roles in the history and development of our community. With her extensive knowledge and compelling storytelling style, Pat will bring to life the remarkable contributions of these women and their lasting impact on Clark County.
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 Jollota is synonymous with local history in Vancouver. Since moving to the area in 1982, she has dedicated herself to preserving and sharing the rich stories of our past. Her work at the Clark County Historical Museum, combined with her prolific authorship—including the popular Naming Clark County—has solidified her as a key figure in our historical narrative.
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.
Purchase tickets online at www.cchmuseum.org/an-evening-with-pat or visit the museum at 1511 Main Street. For more information, contact Patsy Aplin, Events Director, chapterdjpeo@gmail.com.

CCHM Victorian Ghost Stories Night at The Hidden House
2024-10-24 06:00 - 21:00 | Hidden House Event Space, 100 West 13th Street, Vancouver, 98660, United States
On October 24, 2024, in the twilight of a crisp October night as the shadows stretch long and the spirits of the past awaken, join us for a night of spectral intrigue and haunted history. Step into the eerie charm of one of Vancouver’s most famous Victorian era homes and settle into the parlor for an unforgettable evening of ghostly tales and historical intrigue at the historic and haunted Hidden House. On this spine-chilling night, join Clark County’s historian and Haunted Vancouver author Pat Jollota alongside CCHM Executive Director Brad Richardson for a night of thrilling ghost stories that will send shivers down your spine While feasting on delicious bites and decadent drinks conjured by the culinary masters at the Hidden House. Each guest will be meticulously outfitted in Victorian-era costumes, provided by the discerning hands of Center Stage Clothiers. Under the watchful and expert eye of Diana Kirkpatrick, Center Stage’s mistress of style, you will be draped in garments that breathe the essence of a time steeped in gothic elegance and unsettling mystery. This night promises to be a memorable descent into the shadows, where history and horror converge in the haunting glow of candlelight.
Tickets are $175 and include:

An evening hearing tales of terror by Clark County’s Historian Pat Jollota and CCHM Executive Director Brad Richardson
A delicious and bountiful menu of fall-themed finger foods
Scrumptious wine and beverages
A free Victorian costume rental from Center Stage Clothiers (must be fitted for costume by Thursday, October 17th. Ticket holders can go into Center Stage Clothiers at 1400 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660, noon to 8:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday)

Historic Monuments in Washington State: Community Conversation
2024-10-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
How should monuments in our community help us understand the past? Your feedback will help us develop tools to enrich public understanding of Washington history.
Our community conversation moderated by Sarah Pharaon, will focus on the Firsts Monument erected by the Washington State Historical Society by Officers Row in the Vancouver Historic Reserve.
About the Project:
In 2022 the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) received a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services for a project called Dialogue in Place, a process of examining and addressing 42 monuments placed by our agency around the state between 1900 and 1950. When they were erected, these monuments were intended to celebrate individuals and events related to settlement on the land that became Washington State. We now recognize that the presence of these monuments, with their lack of historical context and erasure of the experiences of Tribal Nations, bring harm to Indigenous communities and limit the public’s access to information that fully represents the complexities of the past.
WSHS has initiated government-to-government consultation with Tribes to help determine the future of these monuments. In addition to Tribal consultation, our process involves hosting community conversations around the state to consider the role these objects of public history play in our collective understanding of the past. Feedback from community members will inform our government-to-government dialogue with Tribal Nations and help us develop tools to enrich public understanding of Washington State history.
RSVP HERE

Historic District Haunted History Walking Tour - MEMBERS ONLY
2024-11-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum is excited to provide a sneak peak for current members of a new haunted walking tour on Saturday, November 2 at 6 pm.
Ah, dear patrons, gather ’round as we embark on a most enchanting journey! This added tour shall elevate the museum’s celebrated autumnal event series, offering you a spine-tingling glimpse into the shadows of Vancouver’s most iconic—and, dare I say, haunted—locations. Prepare to be captivated by the eerie tales of the Evergreen Hotel, the storied Webber Building, the enigmatic Columbia Interstate Bridge, and so many more. Join us, if you dare, for a haunting experience that promises to linger in your mind long after the final curtain falls.
Tour begins in front of the Slocum House, rain or shine. Limited to 25.

RSVP HERE

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.

Member-Only Chat - The Checkered Past of Clark County's Own Railroad
2024-11-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Yakima & Vancouver Railroad? Or is it the Vancouver, Klickitat & Yakima Railroad? I thought the “Y” stood for Yacolt. No, wait, what about the Northwestern Railroad & Improvement Co.? Let’s just go with what we all know it to be now: the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad.
Current members, join us on Saturday, November 9 at 4 PM as Gregg Herrington explores “The Checkered Past of Clark County’s Own Railroad” at this members-only chat. Gregg will delve into how a group of wealthy businessmen with no railroad experience attempted to cross the Cascades by rail, and the obstacles that shifted this lofty ambition into a rural county attraction.

RSVP HERE

Indigenous Peoples Market
2024-11-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join us at the Clark County Historical Museum as we celebrate National Native Heritage Month with the Indigenous Peoples Market. This vibrant event will showcase the incredible talents of 14 local Indigenous vendors, offering a unique opportunity to explore and support Indigenous arts and crafts.
Special Performance: Enjoy live music by internationally recognized Native American flutist Dr. Sharie Davis, adding her talents to the event.
Throughout the day, the museum will remain free and open to the public, fostering community engagement and deepening our appreciation for the rich history of the First Peoples who have inhabited this region since Time Immemorial. Attendees will also have the chance to win exciting prizes.
Why It Matters
The Clark County Historical Museum is committed to acknowledging the complex history of our region, including the impacts of Euro-American settlement on Native Peoples. We encourage our community to engage with local Native organizations to better understand our shared past and work towards a more inclusive future.
Resources for Engagement:

Native Arts & Cultures Foundation
Native American Youth And Family Center
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Chinook Indian Nation
Vanport Placemaking Project

Join Us!
Let’s come together to honor Indigenous heritage and support local artisans. Your participation makes a difference!
Educate, Participate, Engage.

Member-Only: Director's Showcase Wine Tasting
2024-11-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Current members, join Clark County Historical Museum Executive Director Brad Richardson on Saturday, November 16 at 4 pm for an exclusive look at Brad’s favorite items from the vaults of the museum. Imbibe from a selection of wine from Clark County’s favorite vineyards while being regaled with tales heard only at this one-time only event.

RSVP HERE

CCHMuseum Annual Membership Meeting
2024-11-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Current members, join the Clark County Historical Museum at 6 pm Thursday, Nov. 21, for our annual membership meeting and awards ceremony. Brad Richardson, Executive Director of the Clark County Historical Museum, will share our accomplishments of 2024, and highlight the exciting programs, events, and exhibits of 2025.
During the event, awards will also be presented to community members for their service in support of gathering, saving, and sharing Clark County history.

RSVP HERE

Winter Native Art Market
2024-12-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum is excited to announce the Winter Native Art Market, following the success of the earlier Indigenous Peoples Market. This highly anticipated event will feature a curated selection of 16 local Indigenous artists and vendors, including returning favorites and several new participants. Visitors will have the chance to purchase unique handcrafted arts, crafts, jewelry, and other Indigenous-made goods, perfect for holiday gift-giving or personal collections.
In addition to the market, Dr. Sherrie Davis Morningstar, internationally recognized Native American flutist, will perform live, adding a cultural and musical experience to the event.
The museum will be open and free to the public during the event, offering an opportunity to explore exhibits that highlight the rich heritage of Southwest Washington.

Community Take-Over: Vancouver Bee Project
2025-01-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Vancouver Bee Project is buzzing its way into the Clark County Historical Museum After Hours! Learn how pollinators connect to our local history, get tips to support native bees, and meet others passionate about conservation.

History on Tap: Ragtime to Swing and Everything In Between
2025-01-22 19:00 - 21:00 | WA
Clark County Historical Museum History on Tap returns to the Kiggins Theatre on Wednesday, January 22 with bandleader and musical historian, Sammuel Hawkins, presenting “The Historic Music Preservation Project: Ragtime to Swing and Everything In Between.”
Step back in time for a captivating musical journey through the evolution of early 20th-century popular music and jazz! The Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) is excited to present Sammuel Hawkins and his 11-piece ensemble, The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra, for a special talk exploring the influence of technology on music from 1915-1940. Hawkins, who serves as the Executive Director of the Historic Music Preservation Project, will guide the audience through this musical history, showcasing how technological advancements like radio and recording reshaped the sounds of the time. Attendees will enjoy an immersive experience of both rich musical history and engaging live performance.
Admission to History on Tap is free for CCHM Members and $5 in advance for the general public. Day of admission is $10 for the public. Purchase your tickets at the Kiggins Theatre Box Office or online at https://www.kigginstheatre.com/movie/history-on-tap—historic-music-preservation-project/
The 2024 History on Tap season is brought to you by Vancouver’s Downtown Association and Heritage Bank. Program support provided by VersaEvents.

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.

#CCHMuseum After Hours - Northwest Battle Buddies
2025-02-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
The Clark County Historical Museum is thrilled to partner with Northwest Battle Buddies for Vancouver’s Downtown Association First Friday Artwalk on Friday, February 7. Join us for a special evening of free admission to the museum, where you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the incredible work of Northwest Battle Buddies. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to pairing Pacific Northwest veterans with trained service dogs to help support their well-being. Come explore the museum’s exhibits and discover more about this inspiring mission—admission is free from 5 PM to 8 PM. We look forward to seeing you there!

Clark County Historical Museum Book Sale
2025-02-08 11:00 - 15:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join us on Saturday, February 8, from 11 AM to 3 PM for a special book sale at the Clark County Historical Museum! Held in the research library on the museum’s lower level, this sale features a diverse selection of vintage books, journals, and texts. From Pacific Northwest history to novels, magazines, and academic non-fiction, there’s something for every interest. All books are available on a “pay what you will” donation basis, with a suggested donation of $2 per book and just 25 cents for journals.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the museum’s Collections Department, helping fund the purchase of preservation materials like boxes, folders, and other essential supplies to safeguard our local history. The museum will be open to the public for free, so come browse the collection, support a great cause, and take home a piece of history.

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

Spring Equinox Native Art Market
2025-03-22 11:00 - 15:00 | Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
After last year’s successful Indigenous Peoples Markets, the Clark County Historical Museum is excited to announce the upcoming Spring Equinox Native Art Market on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the museum, located at 1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660.
This vibrant event will showcase 16 talented local Indigenous artists and vendors, including many returning favorites as well as fresh faces presenting their work for the first time. Attendees can explore and purchase a diverse array of handcrafted items, including unique art, jewelry, crafts, and other Indigenous-made goods — perfect for personal collections or thoughtful gifts.
In addition to the marketplace, visitors will enjoy a live performance by internationally acclaimed Native American flutist Dr. Sherrie Davis Morningstar, whose music will beautifully complement the celebration of Indigenous culture and artistry.
The Clark County Historical Museum will also be open and free to the public during the event, offering a chance to explore exhibits that highlight the rich cultural heritage of Southwest Washington.
The Spring Equinox Native Art Market is a fantastic opportunity to connect with local Indigenous artists, support their work, and gain a deeper appreciation for Indigenous traditions and craftsmanship.
For more details, contact the museum at 360-993-5679.

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.
