Clark County Historical Museum Welcomes Peter Marsh For History On Tap: “Liberty Factory: A Look At The Kaiser Shipyards” (Photo) - 01/13/26
Vancouver, WA — The Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) 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 at www.cchmuseum.org.
For more information about the Clark County Historical Museum or the History on Tap Speaker Series, please contact outreach@cchmuseum.org, visit www.cchmuseum.org, or call 360-993-5679.
About the Clark County Historical Society and Museum
The Clark County Historical Society and Museum is committed to responsible collections stewardship, innovative collaboration, and inspiring exhibitions and programs that engage the community in exploring Clark County’s past, present, and future. Our purpose is to share an understanding of the past that helps build a better future for generations to come.
