Hidden History is a new monthly lecture series at The History Museum. We'll delve into the less obvious aspects of historical topics, investigate unexpected stories, and discover the myriad ways that we can learn about the past.
APRIL 19 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY: Leti Valle Moretti
Hood River County Commissioner Leti Valle Moretti will share stories of her family and growing up in the Latinx community in Hood River.
FREE - $10 Donation appreciated
*proof of vaccination required for entry
MAY 17 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY: WOMEN IN HOOD RIVER HISTORY with Deborah Chenoweth
Why did the western states become the crucible for women’s rights in the US? Between 1840 and 1910 hundreds of thousands of men and women moved to the west, building a new societal structure that redefined women’s roles. By 1914 most western women had the right to vote, a right still denied women in every eastern state. How did the life in the west change the prevailing view that women are frail, not capable of serious thought, kept on a pedestal, to being full partners in the home, in business, and community leadership? Based primarily on the book, New Women in the Old West, by Winifred Gallagher, we will discuss how black, white, Latina, Asian, and Indigenous women became leaders in their communities, states and the nation.
Debby Chenoweth, who was one of the first female federal park rangers in the US, will make the presentation and lead the discussion.
FREE - $10 Donation appreciated
*proof of vaccination required for entry
Can't attend in person? Join us via Zoom by registering here: https://bit.ly/3ljLwLz
JUNE 21 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY: THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH with Richard Withers
Late on March 8, 1900, Norman Williams rented a carriage and met two women arriving at the Hood River train station. He drove them up the Valley and into the darkness. They were never seen again.
The Supreme Court of Oregon decided State v. Williams (April 28, 1905) declaring, in effect, that it was not necessary to produce a body to prove that a murder had been committed. This legal precedent is still cited by courts across the United States more than a century later. Norman Williams was hanged for the murder of Alma Nesbitt on July 26, 1905 - the last person publicly executed in Oregon. The story of the Homestead Murders is much more than an enduring legal precedent: it is a window into the challenges women faced on “the frontier;” an exploration of secrets, lies, forgery, fraud, murder and mystery; and it challenges us to reexamine how we determine truth and what it means to achieve justice. During the presentation you will have an opportunity to meet some fascinating Hood River Valley characters from the turn of the 20th century.
Richard Withers is a retired lawyer and is pleased to revisit and share the hidden history of the "Great Homestead Murders" and to expand upon the Cemetery Tale produced in 2017.
FREE - $10 Donation appreciated
*proof of vaccination required for entry
Can't attend in person? Join us via Zoom by registering here: https://bit.ly/3wkbuVv
JULY 19 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY & EXHIBIT RECEPTION
Renowned local photographer Peter Marbach will speak about his experience photographing our state's natural and cultural wonders to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Oregon State Parks system in 2022
FREE IN-PERSON EVENT - No registration required, $10 Donation appreciated
*proof of vaccination required for entry
Can't attend in person? Join us via Zoom by registering here: https://bit.ly/3PDTtby
AUGUST 18 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY: COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY with E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
More than 400 first generation Japanese American (Nisei) soldiers from Oregon served in the military during World War II. They played a pivotal role in both Europe and the Pacific, despite their families being incarcerated in concentration camps in the US at the same time. Lifelong Hood River Valley resident Maija Yasui will share the stories of some local soldiers, and the challenges they faced to serve their country, overcome prejudice at home, and achieve recognition for their contributions.
Maija Annala Yasui has lived in Hood River for over 70 years. She grew up in Oak Grove on the west side of Hood River Valley, among an extended family of Finnish and Japanese orchardists. Her career has been in the field of drug and suicide prevention and the building of families and community, but her passion has been studying history to learn how to avoid making the same mistakes over
and over again. She has spent over 50 years conducting research and interviews of Nikkei families, and has shared her knowledge in presentations to hundreds of people.
FREE IN-PERSON EVENT - No registration required, $10 Donation appreciated
*proof of vaccination required for entry
Can't attend in person? Join us via Zoom by registering here: https://bit.ly/3PDTtby
SEPTEMBER 15 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY: RADIO TIERRA with Juan Reyes
For the last 22 years, Radio Tierra has given community members who are very often overlooked and unheard the opportunity to share their voices and gifts with the communities they live in.
Juan Reyes has volunteered with Radio Tierra for the last 9 years with projects ranging from programming, production, fundraising and most recently as Board President. Juan will share the lore and legend that is Radio Tierra. Learn how this small organization is making big changes and helping to build a stronger more diverse community one listener at a time.
FREE IN-PERSON EVENT - No registration required, $10 Donation appreciated
*proof of vaccination required for entry
Can't attend in person? Join us via Zoom by registering here: https://bit.ly/3PDTtby
OCTOBER 20 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY: MUSIC IN THE GORGE with Mark Steighner
Mark Steighner, founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of the Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association, will outline the history of CGOA from its founding in 2005 to the present, highlighting some amazing performances and events from the past 17 years and looking ahead to the future season.
FREE IN-PERSON EVENT - No registration required, $10 Donation appreciated
Can't attend in person? Join us via Zoom by registering here: https://bit.ly/3PDTtby
NOVEMBER 17 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY: CONSPIRACY THEORIES with Jennifer Roberts
Conspiracy Theories: Truth, Facts, and Tinfoil Hats
The Flat Earth Society. The Illuminati. QAnon. Sometimes it seems like conspiracy theories have been multiplying exponentially, especially in this time of global pandemic. Why do we gravitate toward conspiracy theories to make sense of the world? What human need do these stories fill? In this program, we’ll explore some conspiracy theories old and new, famous and obscure. What common themes do they share? How do they operate as stories and how do they evolve? What’s the difference between a conspiracy theory and myth, folklore, and “fake news”? We’ll talk about the mechanics of conspiracy theories as we explore how to determine what’s true, what’s false, and whom to trust.
Jennifer Roberts is a writer, researcher, teacher, and burgeoning banjo player who lives in Grants Pass with her family and the world’s best dog. She received a PhD in early modern literature from the University of Minnesota and is passionate about the power and potential of stories to help people connect, change, and make sense of the world.
FREE IN-PERSON ONLY EVENT - Capacity limited to 25 people, register here: bit.ly/3BtIygu
This event is brought to the museum through the Oregon Humanities Conversation Project
DECEMBER 15 7:00 PM
HIDDEN HISTORY: VEGETARIAN PIONEERS with Seth Tibbott
Plant based foods are having a bit of a moment now and we have one of the most famous, pioneering brands, Tofurky, right here in Hood River. But plant based foods have been around for thousands of years dating back to the days of Plato and Pythagoras and many tribal cultures around the world. Join Tofurky founder Seth Tibbott for a lighthearted, wild romp through the ups and downs and untold stories of vegetarian pioneers in the USA and beyond. Come learn about a closet vegetarian among the founding fathers of this country, the underappreciated contributions of Native American agriculture, a church with vegan hymns, the creator of a popular cracker still on the market 200 years later, three vegetarian communes including Rajneeshpuram, and more.
FREE IN-PERSON EVENT - No registration required, $10 Donation appreciated
Can't attend in person? Join us via Zoom by registering here: https://bit.ly/3PDTtby
