Clark County Historical Society Presents Humanities Washington Speaker Lawrence B. A. Hatter (Photo) - 04/07/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free public talk explores the paradox of liberty and empire in the American Revolution

VANCOUVER, WA — The Clark County Historical Society will present historian Lawrence B. A. Hatter on Thursday, May 7, 2026, as part of its ongoing Speaker Series. The event will be held at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, located at 1501 E Evergreen Blvd in Vancouver, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and the program beginning at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free, and advance registration is required.

Titled “The American Revolution’s End and an Empire’s Beginning,” the presentation examines the complex and often contradictory legacy of the Revolutionary era. Drawing on his research, Hatter explores how the American Revolution functioned both as a fight for human liberty and as a catalyst for expansion, conquest, and empire-building.

The program invites audiences to consider the dual nature of the Revolutionary generation; one that secured landmark victories for universal rights while simultaneously advancing territorial ambitions. Hatter will highlight key moments such as the Battle of Fallen Timbers, where a United States victory over a Native confederacy contributed to the continued invasion of Indigenous lands.

This event is presented in partnership with the National Park Service at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, allowing the Historical Society to accommodate a larger audience. It is also part of the Clark County Historical Museum’s participation in the nationwide America 250 commemoration, marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Lawrence B. A. Hatter is an award-winning scholar specializing in Colonial and Revolutionary American history. A native of the United Kingdom, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and currently serves as Associate Professor of History at Washington State University. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post and TIME, and he contributes a regular column to The Inlander in Spokane.

The event is sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Historic Preservation Commission, with media sponsorship provided by The Columbian. The program is also presented in partnership with the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University.

For more information and to register, visit www.cchmuseum.org.

Clark County Historical Museum Presents “Our Mr. Matsura” Documentary Screening And Talk (Photo) - 04/07/26

The Clark County Historical Museum invites the public to a special History on Tap event featuring a screening of the acclaimed documentary Our Mr. Matsura, followed by a community discussion with documentarian Beth Harrington. The event will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Old Liberty Theater in Ridgefield.

Our Mr. Matsura tells the remarkable story of Frank (Sakae) Matsura, a Japanese-born photographer who immigrated to Washington State in the early 1900s and became one of the most important visual chroniclers of life in Okanogan County. Orphaned at a young age and raised in Tokyo, Matsura eventually made his way to rural Washington, where he embedded himself in a diverse community of Native people, settlers, and working-class residents.

Through his lens, Matsura captured thousands of images that documented everyday life in the American West. His work stood apart from traditional photography of the era, often incorporating humor, collaboration, and unconventional self-portraiture that challenged prevailing ideas about identity and representation.

The film is produced, directed, and written by Beth Harrington, an Emmy Award–winning independent filmmaker whose work explores American history, culture, music, and art. Harrington’s previous films include Welcome to the Club: The Women of Rockabilly, which earned a Grammy nomination and aired nationally on PBS, and The Winding Stream: The Carters, the Cashes and the Course of Country Music, which premiered at SXSW and received widespread critical acclaim.

With decades of experience in public television, including work with WGBH in Boston and Oregon Public Broadcasting, Harrington brings a deeply researched and human-centered approach to storytelling, illuminating the lives and communities that shape regional history.

More than a century later, Matsura’s photographs continue to resonate, offering a deeply human perspective on community, culture, and belonging.

Following the screening, attendees will be invited to participate in a discussion exploring Matsura’s artistic legacy and the broader impact of immigrant voices in shaping regional history.

This installment of History on Tap is made possible through the generosity of season sponsors the Old Liberty Theater and Ridgefield Main Street, with media sponsorship through The Columbian, and program support from Enspire Arts and Silver Keys Media.

Event Details:
Thursday, May 21, 2026

Doors open at 6:00 PM | Program begins at 7:00 PM

Old Liberty Theater, 115 N Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA

Admission is free for museum members and $5 for non-members. Advance registration is required. More info at www.cchmuseum.org

Vancouver’s Poet: The Life And Works Of Mary Barnard (Photo) - 03/13/26

VANCOUVER, WA — The Clark County Historical Museum will kick off National Poetry Month with a special installment of its Speaker Series, featuring local literary historian Betty Bell. The program, “Vancouver’s Poet: The Life and Works of Mary Barnard,” will explore the life and legacy of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most accomplished yet understated literary figures.

Mary Barnard, a Vancouver poet and translator, emerged as a distinctive voice in 20th century modernist poetry. Her work drew on both classical influences and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, shaping a style known for its clarity, restraint, and vivid imagery. From her early years exploring the forests and beaches of the region to her studies at Reed College and her time among literary circles in New York City, Barnard forged a remarkable path in American poetry.

The evening will be presented by Betty Bell, a close personal friend of Barnard who later served as her literary executor. Drawing on personal memories as well as decades of research, Bell will offer a unique perspective on Barnard’s life, creative process, and enduring legacy. The program will also explore Barnard’s connections with literary figures such as Ezra Pound and her celebrated translation of Sappho, a work that remains widely regarded as a classic.

Attendees will hear readings from Barnard’s poetry and learn more about the personal and professional journey of a writer whose quiet brilliance continues to resonate with readers and scholars alike.

The program will be held at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center. This Speaker Series event is made possible through the generous support of the Historic Preservation Commission, media sponsorship from The Columbian, and a partnership with the National Parks Service.

Event Details

Fort Vancouver Visitor Center
1501 E Evergreen Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98661

Doors open at 6 PM
Program begins at 7 PM

Admission is free, but registration is required as space is very limited. Register by visiting www.cchmuseum.org.