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 35 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, the Satterberg Foundation, the Women’s History Consortium, The Boeing Company, the Norcliffe Foundation, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.
Upcoming Events
Over the past few years, the question “Are you a feminist?” has become the new litmus test for young female celebrities. Their responses—which vary from Lady Gaga’s “I’m not a feminist. I hail men, I love men,” to Madonna’s “I’m not a feminist, I’m a humanist”—indicate a lack of clarity on what the term means, […]
- When
- 7:00 pm, Tuesday
September 25, 2018 - Where
- Lakewood Pierce County Library
6300 Wildaire Rd SW
Lakewood, WA 98499 United States
Diamonds in the Ether: Tuning In To Northwest Radio History
Look—and listen—back to the people, stations, and stories that made radio broadcasting a vital part of the culture of the Pacific Northwest. Innovations in technology, programming, and business as far back as the 1920s made radio in this remote corner a little bit different than the rest of the United States, and connected the people […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Wednesday
September 26, 2018 - Where
- Olympia Senior Center
222 Columbia Street NW
Olympia, WA 98501 United States
This talk is not about the old leftovers in the fridge. It is about food that is so old, so unusual, or so meaningful, that no one dares throw it away. Discover the foods archeologists have found buried with mummies, the petrified banana so appealing it sparked a Banana Museum, the 350-year-old fruitcake handed down […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Wednesday
September 26, 2018 - Where
- Colville Public Library
195 South Oak Street
Colville, WA 99114 United States
Bandanas to Badges: Songs and Stories of Northwest Workers
Real people and real experiences are the foundation of folk music and stories, and are codified in the lasting representations found in our oral histories. Acoustic trio Trillium-239 shares stories and songs of working life in the Northwest, beginning with American settlement of the West and ending with modern high-tech industries. Thoughtful music selections and […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Wednesday
September 26, 2018 - Where
- Brewster Public Library
108 S 3rd Street
Brewster, WA 98812 United States
Crazy Politics: Populism, Conspiracy Theories, and Paranoia in America
Anti-establishment candidates rail against the government they seek to lead; populist groups like the Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street howl about corruption in political and economic institutions; and wild conspiracy theories abound. Has American politics always been so crazy? With political science professor Cornell Clayton, explore how American politics has become an arena for […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Thursday
September 27, 2018 - Where
- Chewelah Public Library
311 E Clay Ave
Chewelah, WA 99109 United States
Bandanas to Badges: Songs and Stories of Northwest Workers
Real people and real experiences are the foundation of folk music and stories, and are codified in the lasting representations found in our oral histories. Acoustic trio Trillium-239 shares stories and songs of working life in the Northwest, beginning with American settlement of the West and ending with modern high-tech industries. Thoughtful music selections and […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Thursday
September 27, 2018 - Where
- Leavenworth Public Library
700 US-2
Leavenworth, WA 98826 United States
This talk is not about the old leftovers in the fridge. It is about food that is so old, so unusual, or so meaningful, that no one dares throw it away. Discover the foods archeologists have found buried with mummies, the petrified banana so appealing it sparked a Banana Museum, the 350-year-old fruitcake handed down […]
- When
- 10:00 am, Friday
September 28, 2018 - Where
- Metalines Community Library
302 Park Street
Metaline Falls, WA 99153 United States
This talk is not about the old leftovers in the fridge. It is about food that is so old, so unusual, or so meaningful, that no one dares throw it away. Discover the foods archeologists have found buried with mummies, the petrified banana so appealing it sparked a Banana Museum, the 350-year-old fruitcake handed down […]
- When
- 10:00 am, Saturday
September 29, 2018 - Where
- Calispel Valley Library
107 First Street
Cusick, WA 99119 United States