Join us to hear Ann Irish as she talks about the ferry system and how “It Could Be Worse”. From the 1930s to the 1980s, our ferry system faced employee strikes and even a lockout by management; in all, eleven work stoppages. Some strikes lasted just a few days, but the longest went on for more than a month. What were the issues? Which ferry runs were impacted? How did islanders feel about the work stoppages? In 1948, relations between workers and management became so bad that Vashon Islanders ran their ferries themselves for three years. But strikes continued, the final one for three days in 1981.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON VASHON: PAST AND PRESENT

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH

7:00pm
Zoom Meeting
Free

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON VASHON: PAST AND PRESENT

Join Political Scientist Dr. Allison Jansen and Historian Dr. Bruce Haulman as they discuss the 2020 Presidential Election and past Presidential Elections on Vashon.

One hundred years ago the world-wide 1918 Influenza Pandemic ravaged the United States and influenced elections and politics for the next decade. The 2020 election is taking place during another world-wide pandemic. This talk will look at the elections of 1916, 1918 and 1920, will examine the issues of the 2020 election, and look at past Presidential elections on Vashon.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

This event was NOT recorded.

Join us to hear speaker William Woodward as he examines the differences and similarities between the 1920's and our current decade of the 2020's.  From a pandemic, protests, and economic jolts ushered in the so-called “Roaring Twenties.”  Americans adjusted in ways both innovative and counterproductive. What lessons from the 1920s can we apply to our own looming 20s?

Learn more about our speaker on the Humanities Washington website.

RACISM AND JAPANESE AMERICANS: A VASHON PERSPECTIVE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH

7:00pm
Zoom Meeting
Free

RACISM AND JAPANESE AMERICANS: A VASHON PERSPECTIVE

Join Friends of Mukai President Rita Brogan, Friends of Mukai committee member Dr. Joe Okimoto and Historian Bruce Haulman as they look at how the Japanese American Community experienced racism on Vashon and the Northwest through the decades. We will hear about the pre-war and post-war years, personal stories of internment and stories that take us to a discussion of today. Join us as we look at social justice, immigration and the changing face of the Japanese American Community.

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August 12, 7:00 pm, Zoom

What do the steamships The Beaver and the Susie have in common? What do petticoats, barking dogs, Captain Billy's hand on the wheel, clam fights, and rammings have to do with Vashon's history?

Join historian and author Jean Findlay as she presents our August Museum Talk: "Stories of Our Mosquito Fleets."

SPEAKER BIOS:

Jean Findlay grew up on Anderson Island in south Puget Sound where her great-grandparents were homesteaders. She came to Vashon Island 50 years ago through marriage to her husband, Gilbert, and now resides here full-time on his old family property.

With a bachelor’s in English from Washington State University and a master’s in education from the University of Northern Colorado, Jean is retired from a 30 year elementary school teaching career. She now devotes her time to volunteering at the Vashon-Maury Heritage Association in which she serves on the Collection Committee. Previously, with Robin Paterson, she wrote the Arcadia book Mosquito Fleet of South Puget Sound (2008).

Her hobby is researching and writing about her family’s genealogy.

A SUGGESTED DONATION OF $10 OR MORE WILL SUPPORT THIS AND FUTURE MUSEUM TALKS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

A suggested donation of $20 or more will support this and future Museum Talks. We appreciate your continued support!

VIRGINIA V: RESTORING A 100 YEAR OLD SHIP TO GLORY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH

1:00pm
Zoom Meeting
Free

VIRGINIA V: RESTORING A 100 YEAR OLD SHIP TO GLORY

Long time Heritage Museum champion Greg Beardsley will share the history of the Steamship Virginia V. From her launch in Maplewood in 1921, to her service as a part of the Mosquito Fleet, to her years bringing Camp Fire campers to Camp Sealth; the Virginia V has been a Vashon icon. Greg will share tales of the years of fundraising and restoration work in the 1990s and 2000s to bring her back to life. In 2021, the Virginia V will celebrate 100 years of service. Join us and learn more about this beautiful historic steamship.

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A HISTORY OF VASHON ISLAND FESTIVALS

FRIDAY, JULY 17TH

1:00pm
Zoom Meeting
Free

A HISTORY OF VASHON ISLAND FESTIVALS

Dr. Bruce Haulman and Cheryl Lubbert (Chamber of Commerce Board President and Co-owner of Nashi Orchards) share tales of Festivals past, their various names, the traditions we've lost and gained and their cancellations. We'll look back at a favorite island tradition. If you want to know more about the Peach Festival, the Harvest Festival and various Island Queens, this is a great webinar to join.

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ICE CREAM SOCIAL AT THE VASHON HERITAGE MUSEUM

Nestled west of Vashon uptown on Bank Road, the Vashon Heritage Museum hosts a beloved Friday tradition of a community Ice Cream Social during Strawberry Festival. The ice cream social has grown with the National recognition of our Museum and we now offer seating, lawn games, photo opportunities, and a Main Stage with live music.  Island band, “The Burton Beats”, will perform tunes from oldies to modern folk rock. The family friendly community atmosphere can’t be beat. Neighbors and friends connect, families in tow, and enjoy something everyone has in common: the love of Vashon.

Join us this year rain, shine — we’ll have tents to protect from heat or drizzle, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 14th, 2023. Vashon Heritage Museum, Garden of the Ancients.

Open and free invite to the community, donations welcomed.

A suggested donation of $20 or more will support this and future Museum Talks. We appreciate your continued support!

The Vashon Heritage Museum, in partnership with Vashon Community Care, presents "Lives Well Lived - Strawberry Festival Luminaries: Two Women Who Shaped Vashon." With this year's local focus on the Strawberry Festival, join us as highlight two women who have made a huge impact in the community.

Moderated by Susan McCabe, this talk will feature Bettie Edwards and Melinda Powers as they discuss building businesses and community, and how the island has changed over the years.

MODERATOR BIO

Susan McCabe abandoned corporate life in Chicago to move to Vashon and wallow in the arts -- theatre, literature, radio and TV. Since landing here she's established Shakespeare in the Park, written and performed a one-woman show and comedy sketches with Island variety show Church of Great Rain. She produced/stage managed Drama Dock's Into The Woods and Kat Eggleston's Cyclone Line. For five years she managed Voice of Vashon's Radio & TV station, and continues to host her own weekly talk show, REALTalk.

SPEAKER BIOS:

Bettie Edwards is proud to be a longtime volunteer for VCC and has witnessed the center fluidly evolve with the changing needs of the community. She is a former business owner who moved to the island in 1972, dedicated her time as a past two-term (six-year) VCC board member, and has volunteered with the VCC Dinner Club for 10 consecutive years. In 2017 Bettie ran for Unofficial Mayor of Vashon and raised thousands of dollars in “votes” to benefit VCC. She cares deeply for the island’s elders and is thrilled about the recent opening of the accessible trail behind the center facility, which fosters more outdoor opportunities for all. Bettie is also excited about VCC’s memory support program to help meet patient needs and keep island families close.

Melinda Powers opened The Hardware Store restaurant in August 2005. Creating a community gathering place, she and her 55 employees served great food to almost 15,000 customers a month. Melinda retired and sold the restaurant in January 2020. She has a long history of community service and was the President of the Vashon-Maury Chamber of Commerce, the Board Chair and Co-founder of the Vashon YMCA, a board member of Seeds for Success, two-time Unofficial Mayor of Vashon, and a member of the Washington Restaurant Association.

A SUGGESTED DONATION OF $10 OR MORE WILL SUPPORT THIS AND FUTURE MUSEUM TALKS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

HYDROPLANE RACING AROUND VASHON ISLAND

Friday, July 3rd

1:00pm
Zoom Meeting
Free

HYDROPLANE RACING AROUND VASHON ISLAND

Brian Brenno, who grew up on Quartermaster Harbor in the 1960s, will talk about the 60 year tradition of hydroplanes racing around Vashon on the Fourth of July. Brenno will highlight the event's unique qualities, that include; a deep heritage of boats and boating on Vashon dating back to the 1900s, the shunning of off Island participants and sanctioning-marketing-promotion or monetization.

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HOW SCHOOLS UNIFIED THE ISLAND

Friday, June 19th

1:00pm
Zoom Meeting
Free

SCHOOLS THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF HISTORY - HOW SCHOOLS UNIFIED THE ISLAND

Mike Kirk will lead participants through the history of Vashon-Maury Island’s Schools and the progressive consolidation of the small districts - and their respective neighborhoods - into a unified Island School District.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS