Name: Public Humanities Talk: How Beer Might Save Democracy
Start: 2024-09-30T18:00:00-07:00
End: 2024-09-30T20:00:00-07:00
Location: Red Cross Building At The Historic Reserve

Public Humanities Talk: How Beer Might Save Democracy

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.
This program is offered free of charge but seating is limited so register to reserve your seat. Registration information available at the link in our bio or at www.thehistorictrust.org/calendar.
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.