Program Overview
You don’t need to be a student or live near a college to hear an intriguing talk from a scholar or expert. In communities throughout Washington State, Speakers Bureau presenters give free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, spiritual traditions, and everything in between.
Our roster of 34 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. Each talk lasts about an hour.
To reach as many Washingtonians as possible, we partner with a wide range of organizations, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, retirement homes, community centers, and civic organizations. These organizations host and publicize the events.
Find a Speakers Bureau event near you. We also encourage nonprofit organizations to host a speaker.
Speakers Bureau is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Washington via the Office of the Secretary of State, and the Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.
Upcoming Events
Let It Not Happen Again: Lessons of the Japanese American Exclusion
In March of 1942, 227 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes on Bainbridge Island by the US Army. Starting with this small community, a national strategy began, with more than 120,000 Japanese American men, women, and children forcibly removed and incarcerated during World War II. Clarence Moriwaki shares the story of Bainbridge Island—the […]
- When
- 7:30 pm, Saturday
November 16, 2019 - Where
- Island Library
2144 South Nugent Rd.
Lummi Island, WA 98262 United States
Sometimes Heroes: America’s Changing Relationship with Its Veterans
“Support our troops” is a common phrase, seen on lawn signs and bumper stickers across America. Veterans are welcomed home by enthusiastic crowds, and thousands of service organizations help veterans find jobs, secure housing, and heal from the experience of war. But it wasn’t always this way. Veterans returning from Vietnam were often greeted by […]
- When
- 2:00 pm, Sunday
November 17, 2019 - Where
- Woodinville Library
17105 Avondale Rd NE
Woodinville, WA 98072 United States
Storm Warning: Historic Weather in the Evergreen State
Local broadcaster and historian Feliks Banel explores our region’s darkest weather days and most infamous storms. With archival photos, radio, and TV clips, Banel takes us back in time to hear stories of those who survived some of the worst Pacific Northwest weather in recorded history. Further, Banel explores how these storms can revive our […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Monday
November 18, 2019 - Where
- Forks Branch Library
171 Forks Avenue South
Forks, WA 98331 United States
Storm Warning: Historic Weather in the Evergreen State
Local broadcaster and historian Feliks Banel explores our region’s darkest weather days and most infamous storms. With archival photos, radio, and TV clips, Banel takes us back in time to hear stories of those who survived some of the worst Pacific Northwest weather in recorded history. Further, Banel explores how these storms can revive our […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Tuesday
November 19, 2019 - Where
- Port Angeles Branch
North Olympic Library Sys, 2210 S Peabody St.
Port Angeles, Washington 98362 United States
Storm Warning: Historic Weather in the Evergreen State
Local broadcaster and historian Feliks Banel explores our region’s darkest weather days and most infamous storms. With archival photos, radio, and TV clips, Banel takes us back in time to hear stories of those who survived some of the worst Pacific Northwest weather in recorded history. Further, Banel explores how these storms can revive our […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Wednesday
November 20, 2019 - Where
- Sequim Branch Library
630 North Sequim Avenue
Sequim, WA 98382 United States
Hacking Democracy: What Social Media is Doing to US Politics
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram—some of which did not even exist a decade ago—are playing an increasingly central role in politicians’ efforts to get elected. What does this mean for the American voter? Join political scientist Travis Ridout to explore the pros and cons of social media in political campaigns. While […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Wednesday
November 20, 2019 - Where
- North Spokane Library
44 E Hawthorne Rd
Spokane, WA 99218 United States
Racism thrives in silence. It’s when we stop talking to one another about our beliefs that prejudices go unchallenged, and the gap between us widens. Yet race is one of the most difficult topics to discuss in American society. If we are to heal many of our country’s social, economic, and political divides, we can’t […]
- When
- 7:30 pm, Wednesday
November 20, 2019 - Where
- Anderson Hall, Horizon House
900 University Street
Seattle, Washington 98101 United States
Are Salmon Doomed? Hatching a Plan to Save a Northwest Icon
An environmental necessity, a vital economic resource, and a cultural symbol, salmon play a fundamental role in the Pacific Northwest—but they are in trouble. With warming oceans, environmental degradation, and lowering genetic variability, wild salmon populations are dwindling. Climatologist Nick Bond explores the past, present, and possible future conditions for salmon in our state, and […]
- When
- 10:00 am, Thursday
November 21, 2019 - Where
- Center for Urban Horticulture
3501 NE 41st St
Seattle, WA 98105 United States