The Redmond Senior Center (RSC) at 8703 160th Ave. N.E. will host a speaker from Humanities Washington on Oct. 11 from 1 to 2 p.m.

Seattle Pacific University professor and Pacific Northwest cultural historian Dr. Bill Woodward will give insight into the mysterious forts along America’s coastlines and how they help explain the country’s long fear of foreign threats.

“Homeland Security is no recent post-9/11 phenomenon,” Woodward said. “In the midst of the Civil War, key leaders, worried about foreign threats, built massive fixed guns to protect America’s three coasts.”

Woodward’s presentation will discuss the questions these long silent artifacts pose regarding threats, both imagined and real and the responses to those threats. It will also point to the long-range effects of the past on the present and the surprises the future promises.

Registration for this free event is not necessary but strongly suggested in order to allocate appropriate space. Lunch will be available for $3 for those 60 and older and $5.75 for all others. Tickets for lunch are required and are available on the day of the event beginning at 10 a.m. Lunch seating begins at 11:45 a.m.

For additional information, call (425) 556-2314.