The Historic Trust

The Lough Legacy Veterans Parade
2022-11-05 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Officers Row, Evergreen Blvd and Reserve, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
34th Annual Lough Legacy Veterans Parade
The Lough Legacy Veterans Parade celebrates the service and sacrifice area veterans have made for our freedom in partnership with the City of Vancouver. These events are made possible through a generous donation from Frank and JoAnne Lough who dedicated resources in support of Veterans Day Services.
Year after year, dedicated volunteers and local organizations and businesses have helped to ensure that our community can continue to recognize and honor our veterans at the annual Veterans Parade.

Hey, Neighbor: Conversations to Connect Our Community
2023-04-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Artillery Barracks, 600 E Hatheway, Vancouver, Washington, 98661
Join us to learn more about your community, yourself, and our connection to this wonderful place we call home!
As part of the National Week of Conversation (April 17-23), The Historic Trust and partners invite you to participate in a community conversation event based around “36 Questions for Civic Love.”
What is civic love? It’s love for this place we call home, expressed by looking out for each other, connecting with our neighbors, volunteering for causes we care about, and honoring our differences as we celebrate our common bonds.
You and a conversation partner will ask each other a series of 36 questions and listen to each other’s answers. It’s as simple as that.
Special thanks to Divine Consign, NW Furniture Bank, Eric Sawyer, and Jill Brown. Thank you to our partners City of Vancouver, Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, C-Tran, Port of Vancouver, Latino Leadership NW, and many other individuals.
And thanks to community leader participants for joining us! When you attend, you’ll have the opportunity to be paired with fantastic people from throughout our community, including: Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Clark County Sheriff John Horch, Port of Vancouver commissioner Jack Burkman, C-Tran CEO Shawn Donaghy, Community Historian and former City Councilmember Pat Jollota, Greater Vancouver Chamber CEO John McDonagh, celebrated filmmaker Beth Harrington, Fort Vancouver Library Executive Director Amelia Shelley, Latino Leadership NW Executive Director Diana Avalos-Leos, Airway Science for Kids Executive Director Julia Cannell, and so many more folks joining the list every day! We hope YOU will add your name to this list, too.
The event is free and open to all, no need to pre-register. If you’d like to sign up at the Facebook Event, please click here: https://fb.me/e/MB9RK26T.

Spring Tea at The Marshall House
2023-05-06 | The Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
Join us at the beautiful Marshall House for our Spring Tea, Saturday, May 6th. We are excited to welcome Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary as our event partner! Come meet the fantastic team behind one of downtown Vancouver’s small business gems. Dandelion is providing our delicious teas along with sharing their knowledge of this drink that has been enjoyed for centuries. This is a fun, relaxing event that you do not want to miss! Beautiful music from Celtic Muse, https://bit.ly/3GgaBlk. Choose from one of two seatings, 11 am or 2 pm. Space is limited.
Registration Closed

Thank you to our community sponsor, Columbia Credit Union!

The Historic Trust 25th Anniversary
2023-10-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Artillery Barracks, 600 E Hatheway, Vancouver, Washington, 98661
On Thursday, October 12, we will gather to celebrate 25 years of The Historic Trust. Please join us to toast where we’ve been and where we’re going!
Registration Information:
www.eventcreate.com/e/trust25

Pumpkin Party! Pop-Up Children's Museum
2023-10-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Artillery Barracks, 600 E Hatheway, Vancouver, Washington, 98661
Join The Historic Trust for a fun, FREE, morning play and exploration with our partner, the Columbia Play Project! With hands-on activities, silly experiences that make learning fun, the opportunity to try a mini-pumpkin launch and glow-in-the-dark giveaways, this will be an event too fun to miss! Costumes encouraged!
Artillery Barracks
600 Hatheway Road
Vancouver
9 am – 12 pm

35th Annual Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade
2023-11-11 10:59 - 14:59 | Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
WELCOME TO THE 35TH ANNUAL LOUGH LEGACY VETERANS DAY PARADE!
Saturday, November 11th, 2023
Fort Vancouver National Site
Parade Starts at 11:00 am

Make plans to join us as a parade participant or come enjoy the parade and honor our military history!

Vancouver, Washington has a long-established tradition of honoring our military history. Now in its 35th year, the Lough Legacy Veterans Parade celebrates the service and sacrifice area veterans have made for our freedom. Along with our partnership with the City of Vancouver, these events are made possibly through a generous donation from Frank and JoAnne Lough, who dedicated resources to support Veterans Day Services.
Please contact Mindy Wilkins at mindy.wilkins@thehistorictrust.org if you have any questions or need assistance.

SOLD OUT! Holiday Tea at the Marshall House
2023-12-02 11:00 - 12:30 | The Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
Join us at the beautiful Marshall House for our Holiday Tea, Saturday, December 2. With a delicious menu and delightful teas provided by Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary, this is a special holiday event that you do not want to miss! Plus, beautiful music from Celtic Muse
Choose from one of two seatings, 11 am or 2 pm. Space is limited.
Thank you to our community sponsor, Columbia Credit Union!

Santa at the Marshall House
2023-12-09 10:00 - 15:00 | The Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
*Reservations are closed as of 5:00 p.m. on December 8. We will do our best to accommodate walk-ins on the day of the event, though priority will be given to those with reservations.
Santa is coming to the Marshall House! The Marshall House will be beautifully decorated and ready for your holiday photos. Santa will be here receiving hand-delivered letters and wish lists. Guests can make holiday crafts, listen to a holiday story and simply enjoy some quality family time. All children will receive goodie bags with hot chocolate and a treat to enjoy at home.
Thank you to Columbia Credit Union for sponsoring this event!

Marshall House Saturday Tours
2024-04-06 11:00 - 15:00
Do you know why the Marshall House is called the Marshall House? Join us on select Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to learn more about this historic house and its occupants. Reserve your spot here: https://tinyurl.com/yh7xhw9f

Hey Neighbor - Conversations to Connect Our Community
2024-04-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Artillery Barracks, 600 E Hatheway, Vancouver, Washington, 98661
Join us at the Artillery Barracks, 600 E Hatheway Rd. on April 18, 6-8 p.m.
As part of the National Week of Conversation (April 15-21), The Historic Trust and partners invite you to participate in a community conversation event based around “36 Questions for Civic Love.”
What is civic love? It’s love for this place we call home, expressed by looking out for each other, connecting with our neighbors, volunteering for causes we care about, and honoring our differences as we celebrate our common bonds.
In 1997, psychologist Arthur Aron explored whether love between two perfect strangers could be accelerated by asking each other a set of 36 questions. The 36 Questions for Civic Love are adapted for a new kind of experiment—aimed at helping us all fall in civic love, and reconnect with our home and our neighbors. You and a partner will ask each other a series of 36 questions and listen to each other’s answers. It’s as simple as that. We hope you’ll join us to learn more about your community, yourself, and our connection to this wonderful place we call home.
Register Here!

Providence Academy Evening Tours
2024-05-03 17:00 - 19:00
Have you ever seen the inside of the iconic Providence Academy? Add a historic tour to your Friday night plans! Reserve a spot here: https://tinyurl.com/providenceacademytours

SOLD OUT! Spring Tea at the Marshall House
2024-05-11
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend by joining us at the beautiful Marshall House for our Spring Tea, Saturday, May 11th! It’s the perfect opportunity to share special time with the important family and friends in your life. You and your guests will enjoy a variety of delicious food bites and a delectable selection of teas, all while relaxing in the elegant Marshall House located on Officers Row.
We are excited to offer teas provided by Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary. Come meet the fantastic team behind one of downtown Vancouver’s small business gems. Wonderful music provided by local singer/songwriter, Owen Kortz. Choose from one of two seatings,11 am or 2 pm. Space is limited. Reservations Required.
Thank you our supporting partner:

The Marshall House is located at 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA 98661. Reserve your spot here: https://tinyurl.com/yxcwm9wb

Summer Fest 2024 - Picnic in the Park
2024-07-06 11:00 - 18:00
Join us for a Picnic in the Park!
Saturday, July 6, 2024, 11 am – 6 pm Fort Vancouver National Site
Favorite Summer Foods | Live Music | Lawn Games
Join us at the Fort Vancouver National Site for a wonderful community event filled with a full day of activities for families and people of all ages.
Free and open to all. Picnic in the Park features two stages with live music and entertainment, games on the lawn, magicians, face painting and lots of fun for the entire family.
Pack a blanket, get ready for some fun snacks, purchase food from local vendors, along with beer tastings for those 21 and over in the beer garden.
Visit VancouverSummerFest.com for full schedule and information on other fun summer events!

Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra
2024-09-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-01-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Providence Academy Chapel, 400 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
Come to dance or just to listen at the historic Academy Ballroom!
Since 2016, The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra has been delighting audiences with the music of the roaring 20s and Depression era 30s.
Under the leadership of master showman Sammuel Murry-Hawkins, the ensemble transports audiences to the golden age of Hot Jazz and Sweet Dance Music, specializing in the tunes of Cab Calloway, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin.
Guaranteed to delight and put a pep in your step!
To make the event accessible to all, ticket prices are set at $16. Tickets are available at the door or on line at The Historic Music Preservation Project.

Grant House 175th Birthday Party presented by Columbia Credit Union
2024-09-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Grant House, 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver, 98661, United States
It’s time to celebrate the 175th birthday of the first home built on Officers Row with an afternoon open house and outdoor bash featuring entertainment, fun family activities, and cake, of course! Built in 1849, the house is named in honor of General Ulysses S. Grant, and careful restoration and preservation by The Historic Trust has been important to its reaching this exciting milestone.
Learn more about the home and its place in Vancouver history by browsing interpretive exhibits, and attend a history talk in the East Parlor at 1:30 pm and 2:45 pm. Free family activities are happening all afternoon, including lawn games, arts & crafts, and a performance “Ants Ants Ants” at 3pm. Enjoy a free birthday cupcake and refreshments – EVERYONE is invited to join in the celebration!
Also, Willful Wine at the Grant House will be open for business during the event, with seating and a full menu available for all ages.
For guests with limited mobility, there is an accessible entrance and parking at the rear of the Grant House. Please park behind the building by following the access road from E. Evergreen Blvd (entry to access road is located between 1201 Officers Row and 1251 Officers Row). Please call 360-992-1800 with any questions.

Fall Play Day with the Columbia Play Project
2024-09-28 13:00 - 16:00
Join the Columbia Play Project and The Historic Trust for a free event! Lots of games and fun for the whole family!
Plus, free glow-in-the-dark giveaways!

That Ribbon of Highway: Woody Guthrie in the Pacific Northwest
2024-09-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Street, Vancouver, 98661, United States
The Historic Trust and Humanities Washington partner to present a discussion with Joel Underwood.

Folksinger and activist Woody Guthrie composed 26 songs in 30 days while riding along the Columbia River and touring the Grand Coulee Dam Project in 1941. With his unique, authentic voice, he chronicled both the grandeur and the perils of what he called “The Greatest Thing That Man Has Ever Done” as an employee of the Bonneville Power Administration. His time here in the Pacific Northwest inspired a swell of patriotism that led Guthrie to enlist in the U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II, after which he returned home to fame and notoriety, but also to tragedy and tremendous personal loss.
Historian, teacher, folksinger, and actor Joel Underwood performs an hour that is part concert, part theatrical drama, and part lecture. Sing along to “Roll on Columbia,” “Pastures of Plenty,” and of course, “This Land is Your Land,” and learn the—sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic—stories behind the songs.
Joel Underwood (he/him) is an actor, teacher, musician, and historian. After 25 years teaching high school history, Underwood got his master’s degree in American History with a focus on folk and protest music. A recipient of the Woody Guthrie Fellowship, Underwood was granted access to the Woody Guthrie Archives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to research Woody’s time in the World War II Merchant Marines. Underwood continues to tour as a musician, both solo and with his daughter.
Underwood lives in Olympia.

Click HERE for details and registration information. This program is offered free of charge but seating is limited so register soon!

Thank you to Humanities WA for their support in bringing this event to Vancouver.
Special thanks to Umpqua Bank for their sponsorship support, and to the NAACP Vancouver for joining us as our promotional partner for our 2024 series of speaker events.

Trees of Officers Row Walking Tour
2024-10-11 12:00 - 13:00
Enjoy seeing the leaves turn along Officers Row and learn about the trees at a walking tour on October 11 at noon. City of Vancouver Urban Forestry staff will lead the tour and talk about the tree species at the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. Along the way, Historic Trust staff will offer information about the architecture of the late 19th century Army residences and the people who lived in them.
Participants will meet at the Howard House at 750 Anderson St., and walk down the Row to the east. Dress for the weather! The route is flat and follows city sidewalks, but comfortable shoes are recommended. Register for this free program HERE.

Hey Neighbor: Person-to-Person Conversation
2024-10-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Artillery Barracks, 600 E Hatheway, Vancouver, Washington, 98661
Join The Historic Trust for the popular person-to-person conversation event “Hey Neighbor” modeled on “36 Questions for Civic Love”
In Spring 2023 and 2024, The Historic Trust hosted “Hey Neighbor,” conversation events featuring The 36 Questions for Civic Love. This October, join us for another round! Using the same format with some new questions sprinkled in, you and a partner will ask each other a series of questions, listen to each other’s answers, and explore common ground.
What is civic love? It’s love for this place we call home, expressed by looking out for each other, connecting with our neighbors, volunteering for causes we care about, and honoring our differences as we celebrate our common bonds.
In 1997, psychologist Arthur Aron explored whether love between two perfect strangers could be accelerated by asking each other a set of 36 questions. The 36 Questions for Civic Love were adapted from those questions for a new kind of experiment—aimed at helping us all fall in civic love, to reconnect with our home and our neighbors.
Whether you’ve joined us for one or both of the past events, or this is your first visit, one of the wonderful things about “Hey Neighbor” is that it’s a new conversation every single time. We hope you’ll join us to learn more about your community, yourself, and our connection to this wonderful place we call home.
Space is limited. REGISTER HERE!

Coming Home: How the Nez Perce Tribe Regained Their Cultural Heritage
2024-10-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Street, Vancouver, 98661, United States
The Historic Trust and Humanities Washington partner to present a discussion with Trevor James Bond.

Belongings deeply important to tribal communities are often housed in museums far away from those communities. In this talk, hear the remarkable story of how the Nez Perce Tribe and their allies purchased the largest and oldest collection of Nez Perce material culture—including dresses, shirts, and other regalia—from a museum over 2,000 miles away from their homeland.
In this hopeful story of cultural resiliency and making amends for past injustices, explore issues surrounding collection and curation, and the changing relationships between museums and Native communities. It’s a story that transcends the efforts of one Northwest tribe to show how many indigenous communities are reuniting with their heritage.
Trevor James Bond (he/him) is the director of the David G. Pollart Center for Arts and Humanities and the associate dean for digital initiatives and special collections at the Washington State University Libraries. He is the author of Coming Home to Nez Perce Country: The Niimiipuu Campaign to Repatriate Their Exploited Heritage, a finalist for the 2022 Washington State Book Award for non-fiction.
Bond lives in Pullman.
This talk is presented in partnership with The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, which educates citizens across the state about democratic institutions and public affairs, and is based at Washington State University. For more information, visit The Foley Institute’s website.

Click HERE for details and registration information. This program is offered free of charge but seating is limited so register soon!

Thank you to Humanities WA for their support in bringing this event to Vancouver. Special thanks to Umpqua Bank for their sponsorship support, and to the NAACP Vancouver for joining us as our promotional partner for our 2024 series of speaker events.

36th Annual Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade
2024-11-11 11:00 - 13:00
36TH ANNUAL LOUGH LEGACY VETERANS DAY PARADE!
Monday, November 11th, 2024
Fort Vancouver National Site
Parade Starts at 11:00 am

Make plans to join us as a parade participant or come enjoy the parade and honor our military history!
Ample public parking available. Please click the link below for a map indicating parking locations and parade route information. Accessible parking is located in the staff lot on the west side of the General O.O. Howard House at 750 Anderson St.
**Please note that the parade route will close to all vehicles at 10:30 am, November 11th with no entry or exit to and from any of the parking located along the route. If you plan on parking in any of these areas, please make plans to arrive before 10:30 am. Please be aware that you will not be able to leave until the parade has ended.
Please contact Mindy Wilkins at mindy.wilkins@thehistorictrust.org if you have any questions or need assistance.
Parking and Route Information Here:
https://www.thehistorictrust.org/lough-legacy-veterans-parade/

Be sure and stop by the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC) Open House at Pearson Hangar, 11 am – 3 pm. Enjoy hot coffee, hot cocoa, and hot dogs!
https://cmac11.com/event/cmacs-veterans-day-reception/

Vancouver, Washington has a long-established tradition of honoring our military history. Now in its 36th year, the Lough Legacy Veterans Parade celebrates the service and sacrifice area veterans have made for our freedom. Along with our partnership with the City of Vancouver, these events are made possibly through a generous donation from Frank and JoAnne Lough, who dedicated resources to support Veterans Day Services.
Thank you to our sponsors! With Thanks To
Flag and Parade Entry Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

Stomp and Shout: The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll
2024-11-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Street, Vancouver, 98661, United States
Northwest Rock & Roll’s historical highpoints are well documented—in the late 20th century, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and other grunge gods took the world by storm. Previously, Seattle’s Queensrÿche and Heart had ruled the heavy metal realm. And prior to that, The Wailers, The Kingsmen, Paul Revere and The Raiders, and The Sonics had all fueled local teen dances with garage-rock versions of the region’s signature song, “Louie Louie.”
Yet these iconic bands are only half the story. In this talk, join author Peter Blecha to discover the lesser-known but vitally important bands and scenes that laid the foundation for what was to come—finally connecting all the dots between the fabled Northwest era of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Jimmy Hendrix, and the R&B-spiked roots of a distinct regional artform: the “Original Northwest Sound.”
Peter Blecha (he/him) is the director of the Northwest Music Archives, an award-winning author, a founding curator at MoPop, and a longtime staff historian at HistoryLink.org. Blecha’s newest book, Stomp and Shout: R&B and the Origins of Northwest Rock and Roll, draws on his deep knowledge as a leading expert on Pacific Northwest music history to chronicle both well-known and overlooked icons of the early Northwest Sound.
Blecha lives in Seattle.
Click HERE for details and registration information. This program is offered free of charge but seating is limited so register soon!
Thank you to Humanities WA for their support in bringing this event to Vancouver. Special thanks to Umpqua Bank for their sponsorship support, and to the NAACP Vancouver for joining us as our promotional partner for our 2024 series of speaker events.

Santa at the Marshall House presented by Columbia Credit Union
2024-12-07 09:00 - 15:00 | The Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
We are excited to have Santa return to the Marshall House for the holidays on Saturday, December 7! Reservations are FREE and will be available starting Monday, November 18. The Marshall House will be beautifully decorated and ready for your holiday photos. Santa will be here receiving hand-delivered letters and wish lists from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Guests can make holiday crafts, write a letter to Santa, listen to a holiday story, and simply enjoy some quality family time. All children will receive goodie bags with hot chocolate and a treat to enjoy at home.
The first hour of Santa’s visit, 9:00 am to 10:00 am, will be reserved for individuals and groups with neurodiverse members who require less stimulating environments. Fewer reservations will be taken, and sounds and stimuli will be restrained. Please help us share holiday magic with our entire community by only reserving spots during this time if a member of your party has sensory issues. The Marshall House is located at 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA

Thank you to Columbia Credit Union for sponsoring this event!
Santa at the Marshall House Reservations – Sensory and Neurodiverse Hour Santa at the Marshall House Reservations

SOLD OUT! Holiday Tea at the Marshall House
2024-12-14 11:00 - 12:30
The holiday tea will take place on Saturday, December 14th! Two seatings, 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Find out all the details and register HERE
Thank you to our generous sponsor!

They Want Our Rhythm, but Not Our Blues: African American Innovation through Pop Culture
2025-02-06 18:00 - 20:00 | O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St., Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
The freedom often denied to African Americans to move and express themselves has meant that they have had to be especially creative in building their culture. The innovations created under oppression are often appropriated by the oppressor—they want our rhythm. And such culture and creativity has been forged from their everyday struggles—but they do not want our blues.
Reflecting on music, sports, language, food, and even hair, this talk calls audiences in beyond the rhythm to recognize the blues that made African American popular culture. It serves as a guide to appreciating the art of Black pop culture by understanding how and why African American culture was created, and when and where it appears across multiple platforms of popular culture—never without a unique artisan style.
Speaker Bio
LaToya Brackett (she/her) is an associate professor of African American studies at the University of Puget Sound, where she also serves as a member of the leadership team for the Race & Pedagogy Institute. A scholar with two degrees in Black studies, one from Cornell University and the other from Michigan State, she is an interdisciplinarian who centers the Black experience.
Brackett lives in Tacoma.
This program is offered free of charge, but space is limited. Please reserve your spot HERE.
Thank you to Humanities WA for their support in bringing this event to Vancouver. Special thanks to the NAACP Vancouver for joining us as our promotional partner for our 2025 series of speaker events. We appreciate you!

Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra at Providence Academy
2025-02-07 19:00 - 21:00
Come to dance or just to listen at the historic Academy Ballroom!
Since 2016, The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra has been delighting audiences with the music of the roaring 20s and Depression era 30s.
Under the leadership of master showman Sammuel Murry-Hawkins, the ensemble transports audiences to the golden age of Hot Jazz and Sweet Dance Music, specializing in the tunes of Cab Calloway, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin.
Guaranteed to delight and put a pep in your step!
To make the event accessible to all, ticket prices are set at $15. Tickets are available at the door or on line at The Historic Music Preservation Project.

O.O. Howard and the Freedmen's Bureau
2025-02-27 18:30 - 20:00 | O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St., Vancouver, WA, 98661, United States
The Vancouver Barracks Military Association presents author and former journalist Aaron C. Jones for a program on “O.O. Howard and the Freedmen’s Bureau.” General Oliver Otis Howard (1830-1909) commanded U.S. Army forces in the Pacific Northwest in the 1870s. Prior to his time in the Northwest, however, Howard served in the Union Army during the Civil War and after as head of the Freedmen’s Bureau in Washington, D.C. Jones (nwresearchandwriting.com) will share research findings about Howard’s tenure at the Bureau collected for his upcoming biography, Oliver Otis Howard and the Great Task. The Freedmen’s Bureau was created by Congress to assist formerly enslaved people transitioning to freedom.
Thank you to the Vancouver Barracks Military Association (https://www.vbma.us/) for their partnership in program presentation.
This program is offered free of charge but seating is limited. Please reserve your seat by emailing VBMA at jddavis@rocketmail.com.
Photo caption: Major Gen. Oliver O. Howard, 8/13/1864, Harper’s Weekly

And It Has Pockets! The Battle for Women's Clothing Equality
2025-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Street, Vancouver, 98661, United States
How many times have you heard someone wearing women’s clothing exclaim, “And it has pockets!” Comparisons have shown that modern garments designed for women have about half the storage space of clothing designed for men. From their invention, pockets in women’s fashion have represented independence—so much so that in the 18th century, laws were enacted to strip women of their personal liberty by making the contents of their pockets the property of their husband. The right to have pockets went hand-in-hand with the right to vote. And people today are still speaking out about the inequality between men’s and women’s clothing based on this simple storage system.
Join costume designer Diane Johnston to dig into the pockets of the past, tracing the history of the humble pocket to determine if the battle for equality may still be decided by a few inches of extremely influential fabric.
Diane Johnston (she/her) is a theatrical costume designer who has spent the past 33 years creating costumes for productions large and small throughout the region. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design and is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Johnston has always been fascinated with fashion history and the historic trends that find their way into our modern closets. She is currently designing costumes for Edmonds Driftwood Players.
Johnston lives in Stanwood.
This program is offered free of charge, but space is limited. Please reserve your spot HERE.
Thank you to Humanities WA for their support in bringing this event to Vancouver. Special thanks to the NAACP Vancouver for joining us as our promotional partner for our 2025 series of speaker events. We appreciate you!

Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra at Providence Academy
2025-03-21 19:00 - 21:00
