The Redmond Historical Society has announced its new Saturday Speaker Series that will begin this fall on Sept. 14. The monthly program features eight speakers addressing topics of local, state and Pacific Northwest historical significance or interest.
The series will be held at 10:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month from September to May (not including December) at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center located at 16600 N.E. 80th St. The program will be offered free to the public with a $5 suggested donation for non-members.
The 2013-2014 schedule includes an interesting mix of historians and authors, a University of Washington/Seattle Film Institute lecturer, a champion power boat racer as well as residents who grew up on the large family chicken farm that ultimately became part of the Microsoft campus. Topics range from Redmond history to the role of cinema in shaping the perceptions of American Indians to the Civilian Conservation Corps camps in Washington state during the Great Depression. A summary of speakers and topics is below. For a more detailed discussion of each speaker and topic, visit www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.
The Redmond Historical Society has hosted a wide variety of engaging speakers at its meetings since it was founded in 1999. Today the Society more actively promotes this program to the public in a slightly different format. According to Chris Himes, president of the Redmond Historical Society, “We hope to foster a greater understanding of how past decisions influence the world we live in today as well as an appreciation of the everyday lives of the people who preceded us.” The Society also hopes the series will increase awareness of the important work of historic preservation.
The Redmond Historical Society is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that receives support from the City of Redmond, 4 Culture, Nintendo, the Bellevue Collection and Humanities Washington as well as from other donors and members.
• Sept. 14
“Lost Redmond: Once Here, Long Gone”
Tom Hitzroth, chair, City of Redmond Landmark Commission; chair, King County Landmarks Commission
The story of Redmond’s growth from a settlement to a town, including a look at how historical buildings that no longer exist were located.
• Oct. 12
“American Indians in Cinema: Portrayals and Participation, Onscreen and Behind the Scene”
Lance Rhoades, Seattle Film Institute, University of WashingtonSpeaking courtesy of Humanities WA
The role cinema has played in creating and perpetuating perceptions of the American Indian and the staggering implications: a conversation.
• Nov. 9
“The Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest”
Larry Kreisman, author and program Manager, Historic Seattle
How did the celebration of craftsmanship, two world’s fairs and the unique attributes of our region result in significant contributions both in architecture and a range of design arts in the early 20th century?
• Jan. 11
“Tree Army: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Washington State 1933-1941”
Janet Oakley, author and historianSpeaking courtesy of Humanities WA
The history of the CCC and the lasting impact both on our state and on the desperate young men who came to work in the woods building roads, bridges and park, buildings.
• Feb. 8
“High Times on the Eastside: Air Defense, Airports and Wishful Thinking”
Sherry Grindeland, Eastside Heritage Center and journalist
Explore all things flying related on the Eastside: early birdmen, early airports, World War II and Cold War air defense and D.B. Cooper.
• March 8
“The Siler Logging Company and Railroad: 1920s Logging” Eric Erickson, logging and railroad historian, author, past president Issaquah History Museums
Learn about the felling, bucking and yarding of big trees east of Redmond and the building of the 25-mile railroad that carried them north.
• April 12
“The Sammamish Slough Race: 1933-1976”
Steve Greaves, Seattle Outboard Association
A panel of former outboard racers recollect the challenges of navigating the narrow and winding slough in this exciting but by-gone event when boat racing was king.
• May 10
“From Chickens to Software: The Land Before Microsoft”
Dante and Panfilo Morelli
Brothers share their family story of Italian immigrants who created one of the region’s largest chicken farms on land that eventually became part of the Microsoft campus.
