Donella Lucero: Community Historian Guide, Mentor, Teacher

Yesterday was the first gathering of Community Historians 2015, immediately after which was the Annual (well, this was the second year in a row) Luncheon of the entire cadre, past and present. I’m not sure “cadre” is the correct descriptor. In fact, we’ve always been hard pressed to classify this Community Historian Project.

Participants meet weekly for fifteen two-and-a-half hour sessions. They listen to guest lecturers – experts such as Botanist Kathleen Sayce, Chinook Cultural Director Tony Johnson, State Parks Interpretive Specialists Aaron Webster and Steve Wood. They spend time ‘out in the field’ – at North Head Lighthouse or at the Cape Disappointment Motor Lifeboat School or in the back forty of the Pacific County Courthouse. They learn how to handle and (maybe) identify artifacts and how to conserve documents and photographs. Yet, this is more than a “course” or a “class.”

In the CPHM Archives with Collections Manager Barbara Minard

The focus, of course, is on Pacific County History, and the goal is to develop a cohesive group of knowledgeable people, who can be called upon for information and who can become a heritage resource to their communities. Our progress toward that goal has never been so evident to me as it was yesterday.

As the “alumni” of past years introduced themselves and spoke about their projects, I was struck by how many of these community members have become friends – not just with me, but with one other – as they have forged ahead (or is it back?), often into uncharted historical territory. They have shared methods and techniques and information with one another, and have clapped and cheered for the discoveries that their new colleagues have made.

Community Historians 2014

More than participants in a “class” or a “program” these people share an interest in (maybe even a passion for) community history, specifically our community history. I think they can, in fact,  be referred to as a “cadre” – a nucleus or core group especially of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others; a group of people having some unifying relationship.

However we identify them, they are unique.   There is not another model such as this Community Historian Project in the United States – not that we could find when we were first hatching the idea five years ago. It is a thrill to see how the idea has evolved and is beginning to take on a life of its own. Let’s hear it for the cadre of Community Historians of Pacific County!