Original Wasco County Courthouse History programs for February

The Original Wasco County Courthouse - 1859

ORIGINAL COURTHOUSE REGIONAL HISTORY FORUM

SERIES FOR 2021

Programs begin at 1:30 p.m. each Saturday in February.

Pandemic = no gatherings at the 1859 Courthouse this year.

Join programs via Zoom:   http://OWCCZoomLink.info

 (To attend by phone, leave a message at 541 296-4798 and we’ll call back with directions)

Saturday, February 6

Getting on the Map of the National Vote for Women Trail

Karl Vercouteren is a long-time Original Courthouse board member.  He learned about the project of a national map commemorating the centennial of Women’s Suffrage from last February’s presenter Janice Dilg, wrote up local entries for the map, and learned a lot in the process.

Saturday, February 13

Thunder Go North:  The Hunt for Sir Francis Drake’s Fair Bay

      Melissa Darby of Lower Columbia Research and Archaeology presents a compelling case:  Where was Sir Francis Drake’s 1579 landing place on North America’s Pacific Coast?  Not in California but far to the north, in Oregon.

Saturday, February 20

The Diaries of George Vause (1887-1983)

Local historian Julie Reynolds tells the story of a young man born and raised in The Dalles.  He showed early talent as a keyboard musician.  In his adult life, he had an illustrious career as a church organist, accompanist of famous singers,        and head of university music departments.  His diaries, begun when he was 16,        give an intimate picture of life in The Dalles in the early 1900s.

Saturday, February 27

Electric Power in Wasco County, Past and Current  

  Those who read local newspapers or listen to local radio know Rodger Nichols.  Our local historian and member of the Courthouse board hopes those who tune in this program “will get a charge out of an enlightening presentation on watts been happening in the 120-year history of electricity in Wasco County.  It may have the potential to spark a battery of questions.”

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Regional History Forum Programs, now in the series’ 42nd year,   are free.  However, donations toward the operation of the Original Courthouse are gladly accepted.  Send to P.O. Box 839, The Dalles.

We hope the 1859 sheriff’s office, jail, and the courtroom will be able to reopen soon!