[OR_Archaeology] Lecture Series at PSU begins Oct. 8

[Susan White]

Center for Columbia River History's annual James B. Castles Lecture Series
Begins October 8, 2008 at PSU's Multicultural Center

University of Washington professor Quintard Taylor will speak about "The Other Black Northwest: Beyond Portland and Seattle" in the opening presentations of the Center for Columbia River History's annual James B. Castles Lecture series. He will give the talk at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Portland State University's Multicultural Center and at noon Oct. 9 at the Washington State University auditorium in Vancouver. The lectures are free and open to the public.

Taylor will point out that the vast majority of contemporary African Americans in this region reside in Portland or Seattle and their suburbs. Yet African American history in the Northwest hardly begins or ends with those urban hubs. Taylor will look specifically at rural and small town communities in the 19th and early 20th centuries such as Vernonia and Pendleton. He will also examine the growth of black communities during World War II in places such as Vancouver, Bremerton, and Pasco as well as the unique civil rights experience of Spokane. 

At 2 p.m. Oct. 12, the Center for Columbia River History will host a talk by Pat Courtney Gold on traditional connections to contemporary Native art. She will discuss the traditional work of daily Native arts and how that work has evolved over thousands of years. She will also share images and stories about Columbia River Native artists, who use modern techniques to reflect their heritage in contemporary artwork.  This talk will take place at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse in Ridgefield, Wash. To reach the Cathlapotle Plankhouse from I-5, take exit 14/Pioneer Street in Ridgefield. Head west three miles to Main street, go right (north) one mile to the Carty Unit and the refuge sign. The plankhouse is over the railroad footbridge and to your right.

For more information about any of these events, visit www.ccrh.org or contact Donna Sinclair at 360-258-3289 or info at ccrh.org