“Historic Talks in Historic Buildings”: A New Lecture Series Presented by Historic Seattle and the Washington Trust

“Weird, Wonderful, and Worrisome Objects in Washington State’s Museums,” presented by Harriet Baskas
Most museums display no more than 10% of their holdings, often citing “not enough space” as the reason. But there are also a wide range of cultural, philosophical, political, environmental, historic, and even superstitious reasons why museums keep some objects from public view. In this talk, explore a wide range of hidden objects found in the back rooms of museums in our state and around the country. Examples include a Spokane institution that holds Bing Crosby’s toupées and a museum in Lynden that’s home to a 150-year-old pickle. When possible, we will have local museum curators on hand to answer questions, participate in our discussions, and unbox a few hidden treasures. 

• Date: Thursday, August 7 at 7:30 pm (doors at 7:00 pm)
• Location: Stimson-Green Mansion (1204 Minor Ave, Seattle, WA 98101)
• Tickets: $10; purchase here

“Heaven on the Half Shell,” presented by David George Gordon 
Get to know the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved bivalve: the oyster. In this talk, author David George Gordon discusses three species—Olympia, Eastern, and Pacific oysters—along with the people who have cultivated these delicacies for generations. Learn about the Native American sea gardens and clam beds that existed 11,500 years ago, as well as the contemporary efforts in our state to cultivate oysters, both native and introduced. Along the way, learn about the many surprising innovations that have made oysters such an enduringly popular and environmentally sustainable food. As the old saying goes: when the tide is out, the table is set.

• Date: Thursday, September 4 at 7:30 pm (doors at 7:00 pm)
• Location: Stimson-Green Mansion (1204 Minor Ave, Seattle, WA 98101)
• Tickets: $10; purchase here

“What Is a Chief? How Native Values Can Teach Resilience,” presented by John Halliday
At the age of 55, John Halliday became legally blind. As a Muckleshoot Tribal member of Duwamish ancestry, Halliday says his Native American world view, cultural traditions, and values, which have sustained Native tribes throughout history long before colonization, have helped him overcome the challenges associated with losing his sight. Too often, our understanding of American history begins with foreign European powers “settling” the land—as though no thriving human communities existed here. Woven in with John’s personal story, audiences will learn Washington State history from a Native American perspective and how that history can teach resilience.

• Date: Thursday, October 2 at 7:30 pm (doors at 7:00 pm)
• Location: Stimson-Green Mansion (1204 Minor Ave, Seattle, WA 98101)
• Tickets: $10; purchase here

“That Ribbon of Highway: Woody Guthrie in the Pacific Northwest,” presented by Joel Underwood 
Folk singer and activist Woody Guthrie composed 26 songs in 30 days while riding along the Columbia River and touring the Grand Coulee Dam Project in 1941. With his unique, authentic voice, he chronicled both the grandeur and the perils of what he called “the greatest thing that man has ever done” as an employee of the Bonneville Power Administration. His time here in the Pacific Northwest inspired a swell of patriotism that led Guthrie to enlist in the U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II, after which he returned home to fame and notoriety but also to tragedy and tremendous personal loss. Historian, teacher, folk singer, and actor Joel Underwood performs an hour that is part concert, part theatrical drama, and part lecture. Sing along to “Roll on Columbia,” “Pastures of Plenty,” and of course, “This Land is Your Land,” and learn the sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic stories behind the songs.

• Date: Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30 pm (doors at 7:00 pm)
• Location: Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103)
• Tickets: $10

“They Want Our Rhythm, but Not Our Blues: African American Innovation through Pop Culture,” presented by LaToya Brackett
The freedom often denied to African Americans to move and express themselves has meant that they have had to be especially creative in building their culture. The innovations created under oppression are often appropriated by the oppressor—they want our rhythm. And such culture and creativity has been forged from their everyday struggles—but they do not want our blues. Reflecting on music, sports, language, food, and even hair, this talk calls audiences in beyond the rhythm to recognize the blues that made African American popular culture. It serves as a guide to appreciating the art of Black pop culture by understanding how and why African American culture was created and when and where it appears across multiple platforms of popular culture—never without a unique artisan style.

• Date: TBA
• Location: TBA
• Tickets: $10