Public Programs and Mission
The mission of the The mission of the Center for Columbia River History is to promote the study of the history of the Columbia River Basin. CCRH is dedicated to examining the "hidden histories" of the Basin and to helping people think about the historical record from different perspectives through creative public history products and direct engagement with Columbia River Basin communities.
CCRH conducts interdisciplinary research projects, publishes material in text and electronic format, sponsors teacher seminars and free public programs, and develops curriculum. CCRH collaborates with other historical and cultural institutions, and offers its programs to schools, libraries, historical societies and public groups throughout the Basin.
Castles Programs
James B. Castles Heritage Endowment
Through the James B. Castles Endowment, CCRH sponsors annual public programs about the Columbia River Basin. The Castles Programs are funded through a generous endowment from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, of which Castles was a founding trustee and twenty-year board member. Born in Montana, Jim Castles spent his life pursuing and promoting the art, culture, and heritage of the Columbia and the American West. He valued public, informal education that stimulated discussion about the history of the region he loved. The James B. Castles Endowment fund supports three annual programs: The Castles Endowment Lecture, the Castles Public Programs, and the Castles Fellowship to support original scholarly research that contributes to public understanding of the Columbia River Basin.
The Castles Endowment Lecture brings regional and national specialists in Columbia River Basin history, literature, art, or politics to Portland State University, Washington State University Vancouver and other locations in the Basin. This annual program is free and open to the public and is followed by questions, discussions and an informal reception.
The Castles Public Programs are organized around broad historical themes and are offered during the spring and the fall. Programs have included a range of presenters, from Woody Guthrie in song and story by folksingers Bill Murlin and Carl Allen to reminiscences of navigating the Columbia by tugboat operators. There have been dramatic interpretations of Columbia Basin history, speakers' panels including renowned historians and authors, and presentations of poetry and art by Lillian Pitt and Elizabeth Woody. Castles Public Programs engage a diversity of audiences in understanding the Basin's past and are always presented in more than one location throughout the region.
In addition to the annual Castles lectures, CCRH presents a variety of public programming. View the CCRH calendar page to find out about upcoming programs.
James B. Castles Fellowship in Columbia River Basin History
The Center for Columbia River History announces the James B. Castles Fellowship to support original scholarly research that contributes to public understanding of the history of the Columbia River Basin. The $3,000 Fellowship is open to graduate students, professional historians and independent scholars. CCRH encourages proposals from diverse historical perspectives, including social, ethnic, political, cultural and environmental studies.
Fellows will conduct focused research projects in a Columbia Basin related archive appropriate to the topic. The research should be completed during the granting year (June 1, 2008-August 31, 2009). The fellow will deliver a public talk on the research topic and submit an article for possible publication in a regional journal such as the Oregon Historical Quarterly, Pacific Historical Review, Pacific Northwest Quarterly or Columbia Magazine. In addition, the fellow will submit a written report to the Center about the research.
To apply, submit three letters of recommendation, and six copies of the following: your curriculum vitae and a cover letter (800 words maximum) outlining your research project and the archives you intend to use. If your recommendation letters will arrive under separate cover, be sure to provide us contact information for the writers. Send to the Center for Columbia River History, 1109 East 5th St., Vancouver WA 98661. Materials, including recommendation letters, should be received by May 19, 2008. No electronic applications, please.
For more information: visit www.ccrh.org, email info@ccrh.org or call 360-258-3289