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 33 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
The Truth and I: Reading Betty MacDonald in the Age of Memoir
Betty MacDonald burst onto the American literary scene in 1945 with her memoir, The Egg and I, a tartly witty tale about operating a chicken ranch on Washington’s dauntingly wild Olympic Peninsula. Betty’s vivacity, offbeat humor, and sparklingly irreverent take on life captured a public ready to laugh again after the grim, hard years of […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Monday
December 10, 2018 - Where
- Wenatchee Public Library
310 Douglas Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801 United States
The Truth and I: Reading Betty MacDonald in the Age of Memoir
Betty MacDonald burst onto the American literary scene in 1945 with her memoir, The Egg and I, a tartly witty tale about operating a chicken ranch on Washington’s dauntingly wild Olympic Peninsula. Betty’s vivacity, offbeat humor, and sparklingly irreverent take on life captured a public ready to laugh again after the grim, hard years of […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Monday
December 10, 2018 - Where
- Wenatchee Public Library
310 Douglas Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801 United States
The Truth and I: Reading Betty MacDonald in the Age of Memoir
Betty MacDonald burst onto the American literary scene in 1945 with her memoir, The Egg and I, a tartly witty tale about operating a chicken ranch on Washington’s dauntingly wild Olympic Peninsula. Betty’s vivacity, offbeat humor, and sparklingly irreverent take on life captured a public ready to laugh again after the grim, hard years of […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Tuesday
December 11, 2018 - Where
- Quincy Public Library
208 Central Avenue S.
Quincy, WA 98848 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
- 12:00 pm, Wednesday
December 12, 2018 - Where
- First United Methodist Church for Olympia
1224 Legion Way SE
Olympia, WA 98501 United States
Not Just for Kids: How Children’s Literature Inspires Bold Conversations
Children’s books such as Curious George and Goodnight Moon are often beloved by children, sparking their imaginations and providing warmth and comfort. But books like these can also inspire adults— helping us to imagine ourselves in a new way and think about society from a new perspective. In this talk, University of Washington lecturer Anu […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Wednesday
December 12, 2018 - Where
- Sedro-Woolley Senior Center
715 Pacific St.
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 United States
The Pine and the Cherry: Japanese Americans in Washington
In the lead-up to World War II, Japantown in Seattle featured grocery stores, cafes, and native-language services, as well as labor and music clubs. Trading companies imported Japanese goods, and restaurants served the familiar sukiyaki, tofu, and miso soup. In Eastern Washington, Japanese farmers prospered. Then came Executive Order 9066. Those born in Japan, as […]
- When
- 3:00 pm, Friday
December 14, 2018 - Where
- Steilacoom High School Library
54 Sentinel Drive
Steilacoom, WA 98388 United States
The Pine and the Cherry: Japanese Americans in Washington
In the lead-up to World War II, Japantown in Seattle featured grocery stores, cafes, and native-language services, as well as labor and music clubs. Trading companies imported Japanese goods, and restaurants served the familiar sukiyaki, tofu, and miso soup. In Eastern Washington, Japanese farmers prospered. Then came Executive Order 9066. Those born in Japan, as […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Thursday
December 20, 2018 - Where
- Harbor History Museum
4121 Harborview Drive
Gig Harbor, Washington 98332 United States
Washington on Wheels: Odd and Innovative Transportation Ideas from the Pacific Northwest
Though Boeing is the best-known innovator in travel to have emerged from Washington State, there are many others. From canoe journeys to flying cars (that actually worked!), explore the history and culture of travel in Washington State. Author and broadcaster Harriet Baskas takes audiences on a tour of notable highlights of state transportation history, examining […]
- When
- 1:00 pm, Tuesday
January 8, 2019 - Where
- Redmond Senior Center
8703 160 Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052 United States