This is a heads up to everyone out there who is interested in Pacific County’s past.   Plans for year two of the Community Historian program are well underway!  Once a week for fifteen weeks, beginning in January, participants will have opportunities to listen to and work with experts in various aspects of local history.  Whether you’re interested in steam donkeys and logging, in early tourism promotion, in the ‘clamshell railroad,’ or in understanding the significance of grandma’s old love letters – this is the program for you!

There will be demonstrations, hands-on experiences, and field trips as the layers of our history are unfolded and examined.  The big idea of the program is to open the door of Pacific County history to interested residents, giving them opportunities to learn from the experts.  At the same time, participants will be encouraged to develop expertise of their own by pursuing a subject of particular interest.  And, finally, they will be assisted in finding ways to pass on what they have learned.  Perpetuating our local history is the ultimate goal.

It’s not just a history class, though.  It’s a ‘how-to’ class, as well.  Participants will learn where to find information, how to access hidden archives, what are best practices for collecting oral histories or of ascertaining the provenance of artifacts.  And, as they pursue their own particular topics of interest, they will have the support and assistance of a cadre of local historians and specialists.

Ultimately, it is hoped that participants will become experts in their own right and will find ways to keep awareness of our local history alive. It is expected that some class members will come with projects already in mind.  And for those who are looking for something get their teeth into. there will be a list of suggestions and possibilities.  In addition, last year’s participants will be on hand the very first week to share their experiences and projects and provide inspiration.

The sponsoring organization for the Community Historian project is the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco.  The weekly classes will be held there and it will be the staging area for the field trips that are planned.  Stay tuned for dates, times, and fees.  Registration/enrollment information will be forthcoming soon.