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Details

Date

September 26, 2024

Time

6:00PM - 7:30PM

Ages

All Ages (Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent)

Location

114 E 3rd Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Lecture: “Big Apples, Big Business: How Washington Became the Apple State”

September 26, 2024

Amanda Van Lanen will present “Big Apples, Big Business: How Washington Became the Apple State” on Thursday, September 26th at 6pm. The event is in-person at the Museum, free, and open to the public. This event is in partnership with the Humanities Washington.
 
About this Program:
Why do so many apples in the grocery store look the same? And why do so many come from Washington?
In this talk, explore how Washington became the top apple producing state in the country, and how, in the process, it transformed apples into an industrialized commodity. Many regions in the West attempted to grow apples, but in Washington, big apples became big business thanks to the work of scientists, investors, irrigators, railroad corporations, marketers, and apple growers. How does the history of Washington apples reflect larger changes happening in the American food system—changes that continue to affect our environment and the way we eat today?
 
About the Speaker:
Amanda L. Van Lanen (she/her) is a Professor of History at Lewis-Clark State College and the author of The Washington Apple: Orchards and the Development of Industrial Agriculture. She earned a Ph.D. in history at Washington State University, and blogs about food history at historyreheated.com. Van Lanen lives in Asotin.
 
 
Tickets:
In-Person Seating: Click Here!
Online Access: Please Check Back!
 
 
The Event, At a Glance:
What: Big Apples, Big Business: How Washington Became the Apple State
Who: Professor and Author, Amanda Van Lanen
When: Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 6pm
Where: Kittitas County Historical Museum, 114 E 3rd Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Cost: Free
 
About Humanities Washington:
Humanities Washington is a nonprofit organization dedicated to opening minds and bridging divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. For more about Humanities Washington, visit www.humanities.org.
 
About the Speakers Bureau Program:
In communities throughout Washington State, Speakers Bureau presenters give free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, spiritual traditions, and everything in between.

Their roster of over 30 Speakers Bureau presenters is made up of professors, artists, activists, historians, performers, journalists, and others—all chosen not only for their expertise, but also for their ability to inspire discussion with people of all ages and backgrounds. Hundreds of Speakers Bureau events take place each year. Find a Speakers Bureau event near you.

To reach as many Washingtonians as possible, Humanities Washington partners with a wide range of organizations, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, community centers, and civic organizations. Qualifying nonprofit organizations are encouraged to host a speaker.

The Speakers Bureau program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Washington via the Office of the Secretary of State, the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.

More to Explore at the Museum

Neon Signs

Permanent Exhibit

Bright, bold, and beautiful! These dazzling signs from Ellensburg and Kittitas County’s past have been restored, allowing the neon lights to once again delight locals and visitors alike

Intoxicating Elixirs

Permanent Exhibit

Come see unique pieces of local soda bottling equipment, a wide variety of pioneer medicines, and tales of moonshining, bootlegging, and disasters that unfolded afterward.

Military Room

Permanent Exhibit

Our Military Room features many items from individuals who served our country and have been a part of Kittitas County. These items include uniforms, medals, letters, photographs, souvenirs, and more.