THE HISTORIC TRUST FALL SPEAKERS SERIES RETURNS LATE SEPTEMBER (Photo) - 09/08/26

Explore history through a modern-day lens

Vancouver, WA-- The Historic Trust Speakers Series presented by University Village will begin a series of three public talks on Thursday, September 24.

This year’s speakers are part of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, and their topics showcase three fascinating talks at the intersection of history, fashion, and technology.

September 24 - Hidden Layers: Women’s Undergarments and How They’ve Shaped Ladies’ Liberties, with Diane Johnston; Diane Johnston is a theatrical costume designer who has spent the past 35 years creating costumes for a variety of productions throughout the region. She holds an MFA in costume design and is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Diane lives in Stanwood.

October 15 - Doomscrolling Detox: Finding Your Balance in the Digital Age, with T. Andrew Wahl; T. Andrew Wahl has worked in journalism and media communication across Washington state, earning awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, National Federation of Press Women, United Nations, and others. Wahl is tenured faculty at Everett Community College where he teaches journalism, media literacy, and comics studies. Andrew lives in Stanwood.

November 12 - Permanent Ink: Why We Still Love Print in the Digital Age with Geoffrey Turnovsky; Geoffrey Turnovsky is professor of French at the University of Washington. His teaching and research focus on the cultural history of early modern France and Europe, and the history of print, books, authorship, and reading. He is the author of Reading Typographically: Immersed in Print in Early Modern France. Geoffrey lives in Seattle.

These talks are free and open to the public, but reservations are required as seating is limited. Reservations will open approximately one month before the presentation and can be found online in the Historic Trust Events Calendar. Talks will take place at the Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St. Vancouver, WA 98661 from 6:00pm-8:00pm, and doors open at 5:30pm.

About University Village and Koelsch Senior Communities

Koelsch Communities is a third-generation, family-owned and operated senior living provider. For over 65 years, Koelsch Communities has led the industry in Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care. Known for its first-class service, holistic care model, and an employee-centric company culture, Koelsch provides the finest living and working experiences anywhere as ladies and gentlemen, serving ladies and gentlemen. Koelsch believes in the innovative programs that make aging well possible, and building a strong foundation of safety with the latest in security and technology. The company’s University Village campus in Southwest Washington spans 13 acres and offers a vibrant, lifelong learning lifestyle supported by amenities including a fitness center, resort-style pool, greenhouse, pickleball courts, movie theater and more. Learn more about University Village and their services at: https://koelschseniorcommunities.com/. To learn more about the Fall Speakers Series or to make reservations, please visit: https://www.thehistorictrust.org/calendar/ or call 360-992-1800.

THE HISTORIC TRUST WELCOMES GESA CREDIT UNION AS NEW PARTNER FOR LOUGH LEGACY VETERANS PARADE (Photo) - 09/01/26

Honoring and supporting veterans is a natural match for these community-oriented organizations.

Vancouver, WA -- The Historic Trust is proud to announce the 38th Annual Lough Legacy Veterans Parade presented by Gesa Credit Union. The Trust is excited to continue this community tradition of celebrating and honoring all veterans, in this special year of America 250, alongside Vancouver’s newest credit union, Gesa Credit Union.

"Veterans are one of five local hero groups our members support through the Local Heroes Grant Program, which has grown to give more than $2.2 million in grants since 2021, including over $650,000 for Veterans organizations,” says Amber Merrill, Community Relations Manager at Gesa Credit Union. “We opened our first Vancouver branch in April, and presenting the Lough Legacy Veterans Parade is one way we can show up in this community. We hope our neighbors will find us at the Gesa booth on Veterans Day."

"We are so happy to welcome Gesa Credit Union to Vancouver and look forward to working together as partners to honor and support our community's veterans,” says Temple Lentz, President and CEO of The Historic Trust. “In November, we will be wrapping up a year of celebrating America's 250th birthday. And it's heartening to know that as Vancouver grows and changes, our core values—including honoring those who serve and welcoming new neighbors—continue to lead the way. If you haven't attended this fun, accessible parade on the historic site, 2026 is a wonderful year to check it out."

If you would like to participate in this year’s parade, The Historic Trust is now accepting applications. You can find the applications on The Historic Trust’s website at: https://www.thehistorictrust.org/lough-legacy-veterans-parade/ or by calling 360-992-1800. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 30, 2026. The parade will take place, rain or shine, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11:00am at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The parade route begins at the east end of Officers Row at East Reserve Street and Evergreen Boulevard, winds through the Fort Vancouver National Site, and concludes on 5th Street near Pearson Air Museum. The event will be broadcast live on CVTV for those unable to attend in person.

Happening alongside the parade is the Veterans Day Open House hosted by Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC). The Open House will be held at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5^th St., Vancouver, WA 98661, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Local employers and organizations who support veterans will be on hand to connect with fellow veterans and community members. Learn more at: https://cmac11.com/cmac-events/veterans-day-open-house/

The Historic Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a vibrant community that preserves and celebrates its rich history while shaping its legacy for the future. The mission of The Historic Trust is to inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, preservation, and celebration of our community’s history. For more information about The Historic Trust, visit https://www.thehistorictrust.org/ or call 360-992-1800.

Gesa Credit Union is one of Washington's largest credit unions, with $6.8 billion in assets, and is more than 322,000 members strong. Gesa is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and is a full-service financial institution that offers a complete array of consumer, mortgage, and business products and services. Headquartered in Richland, Washington, Gesa operates 46 branches, loan centers, full-service student-operated campus branches at Washington State University, and 25 student-operated high school branches across Washington state. The Gesa Community Foundation, established in 2022, further supports Gesa's ongoing commitment to local communities and charitable giving, which includes support for schools, Local Heroes groups, and community organizations through its Affinity Debit Card Program, as well as through its annual youth scholarships, and free financial and educational resources available to members and the general public. For more information, visit gesa.com.

Celebrate Democracy With The Historic Trust And League Of Women Voters (Photo) - 08/17/26

Constitution Day: Founding Ideas, Modern Voices

As the America 250 summer comes to a close, The Historic Trust and League of Women Voters of Clark County invite you to celebrate Constitution Day on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks, 600 Hatheway Rd. in Vancouver, for an engaging afternoon of education, trivia, and discussion. The story of the Constitution brings forth our American identity – a scrappy group of brilliant thinkers who came together for a summer and drafted a plan for government. 

Scheduled activities will run from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. and include speakers, an interactive game to test your knowledge of the Constitution, an opportunity to write your own constitution, and time for open dialogue and discussion. Free pocket Constitutions will be given out to the first 100 guests courtesy of Riverview Bank. Attendees are welcome to drop in or stay for the whole event. 

Speakers in attendance will include: 

4 p.m., John Jay, “How the Constitution Was Put Together in One Summer” 

6 p.m., Melissa Williams, “The Fourteenth Amendment: A Constitution in and of Itself” 

6:45 p.m., Carolyn Long, “The Bill of Rights + What Does the Constitution Mean Today” 

This event is supported in part by an America’s 250th Events Grant from the Washington State Historical Society, and by The Historic Trust’s America 250 Series Presenting Sponsor, Xfinity, and its America 250 Supporting Sponsors, Riverview Bank and Thompson Metal Fab, Inc. 

For more information about Constitution Day or other Historic Trust events, please visit: https://www.thehistorictrust.org/calendar/. For more information about the League of Women Voters of Clark County, please visit: https://lwvclarkcounty.org/.