The WhatcomTalk Events Calendar shares things to do around Whatcom County including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and beyond. Find fun activities and adventures throughout the region on our comprehensive events calendar. Have an event that isn’t listed? Click the green “Post your Event” button and our editors will review and approve within two business days.
Take a fun, informative docent-led tour of Old City Hall on Sundays at 12:30pm. The Museum’s trained guides take participants down to the basement of Old City Hall to see the historic jail rooms, including a padded cell from the days of prohibition. They share insights into the early use of the basement as the city jail, as well as tell unique stories. Tours include an overview about the architecture of the venerable building and the history of the early days of Bellingham. Tours last one hour and begin on the first-floor lobby of Old City Hall.
Take a fun, informative docent-led tour of Old City Hall on Sundays at 12:30pm. The Museum’s trained guides take participants down to the basement of Old City Hall to see the historic jail rooms, including a padded cell from the days of prohibition. They share insights into the early use of the basement as the city jail, as well as tell unique stories. Tours include an overview about the architecture of the venerable building and the history of the early days of Bellingham. Tours last one hour and begin on the first-floor lobby of Old City Hall.
Want to know more about Dirty Dan the man? We can help!
Fairhaven, now Bellingham’s “south side,” was once it’s own town, named by Daniel Jefferson Harris, aka “Dirty Dan.” Despite being incorporated into Bellingham, Fairhaven retains its own identity and spirit, celebrated yearly in the annual Dirty Dan Festival, in honor of its colorful founding father figure.
We’ll be enjoying the festival on Sunday, and are offering this tour on Saturday afternoon for those who want to get a jump-start or bone up on their Fairhaven history before the big day! A costumed Good Time Girl guide will lead you on a hiking tour of Fairhaven showcasing the life, times and legacy of Fairhaven founder Dirty Dan. We’ll visit Dan’s historical haunts and tell our favorite tales of his infamous escapades.
This tour is for the hardier souls, it is a bit of a hike involving hills and trails, as well as some mild “adult” content. It is around 1 mile in distance and should last around an hour to an hour and a half depending on how fast we walk and how much we talk. Recommended: comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate gear, and a sense of humor.
Take a fun, informative docent-led tour of Old City Hall on Sundays at 12:30pm. The Museum’s trained guides take participants down to the basement of Old City Hall to see the historic jail rooms, including a padded cell from the days of prohibition. They share insights into the early use of the basement as the city jail, as well as tell unique stories. Tours include an overview about the architecture of the venerable building and the history of the early days of Bellingham. Tours last one hour and begin on the first-floor lobby of Old City Hall.
Take a fun, informative docent-led tour of Old City Hall on Sundays at 12:30pm. The Museum’s trained guides take participants down to the basement of Old City Hall to see the historic jail rooms, including a padded cell from the days of prohibition. They share insights into the early use of the basement as the city jail, as well as tell unique stories. Tours include an overview about the architecture of the venerable building and the history of the early days of Bellingham. Tours last one hour and begin on the first-floor lobby of Old City Hall.
Join the Museum Advocates to learn how the Salish People were using an advanced technique to catch sockeye salmon hundreds of years ago from local fisher Riley Starks and author Mark Shintaffer. This technique is considered to be one of the most environmentally sensitive of all the methods of catching fish. The indigenous peoples we know as the Lummi, the Samish, the Semiahmoo, the Sooke, the Songish, and the Saanich, were distinguished by their invention and use of what is known today as the reef net to catch the elusive sockeye salmon. Modern materials and hydraulics have improved efficiency, but the basic methods remain the same. Learn more at this fascinating presentation.
In a lovely corner of Bellingham Washington stands the former Town of Fairhaven. Its growth pattern over the last 164 years has been to grow with booms and fade with busts. But, why? Jackie Lynch will outline the history of at least six boom cycles in the Fairhaven area, and tie this history to changes to the State’s and the Nation’s economy. How much of Fairhaven’s appearance is based on the great tsunamis of history and the economy? And, what can we learn about these changes from Fairhaven’s buildings? This fast-moving presentation’s goal is to provide people interested in Fairhaven and local history with the greater stories told by wood, brick, and mortar.
Jackie Lynch has been an urban planner for the City of Bellingham for 29 years and an amateur Anglo Saxon historian for even longer. She is fascinated by the stories told by our built environment, and how we can influence this environment to support our overlapping natural and human worlds. Co-presented by the Whatcom County Historical Society.
Western Washington University and The Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity brings UW’s Dr. Devin Naar to Bellingham.
Although usually understood as a “European” event, the Holocaust also resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Sephardic Jews born in the predominantly Muslim world of the Ottoman Empire (Greece). Grappling with the particularities of their experiences compels us to expand the scope of the Holocaust into the eastern Mediterranean and to recognize the interconnections between the rise of Hitler’s empire and the making of the modern Middle East.
Devin Naar is the Isaac Alhadeff Professor of Sephardic Studies at the University of Washington. He is the founder of the Sephardic Studies Program at the UW and currently its acting chair.
Take a fun, informative docent-led tour of Old City Hall on Sundays at 12:30pm. The Museum’s trained guides take participants down to the basement of Old City Hall to see the historic jail rooms, including a padded cell from the days of prohibition. They share insights into the early use of the basement as the city jail, as well as tell unique stories. Tours include an overview about the architecture of the venerable building and the history of the early days of Bellingham. Tours last one hour and begin on the first-floor lobby of Old City Hall.
Take a fun, informative docent-led tour of Old City Hall on Sundays at 12:30pm. The Museum’s trained guides take participants down to the basement of Old City Hall to see the historic jail rooms, including a padded cell from the days of prohibition. They share insights into the early use of the basement as the city jail, as well as tell unique stories. Tours include an overview about the architecture of the venerable building and the history of the early days of Bellingham. Tours last one hour and begin on the first-floor lobby of Old City Hall.
Take a fun, informative docent-led tour of Old City Hall on Sundays at 12:30pm. The Museum’s trained guides take participants down to the basement of Old City Hall to see the historic jail rooms, including a padded cell from the days of prohibition. They share insights into the early use of the basement as the city jail, as well as tell unique stories. Tours include an overview about the architecture of the venerable building and the history of the early days of Bellingham. Tours last one hour and begin on the first-floor lobby of Old City Hall.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, join us in the Rotunda Room of Old City Hall for a special moon landing film screening of the Smithsonian Channel movie “The Day We Walked On the Moon.”
The documentary tells the story of this defining moment in our history. Interviews with key figures in Mission Control, contemporary astronauts and the families of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong shine a light on the mission’s dangers and how close it came to failure.
Join us here at Northwest Yarns to learn this ancient form of needlwork with Benjamin Brodfuehrer! Nålbinding is a technique using lengths of yarn and a needle that predates both knitting and crochet. The needle is ‘woven’ into the previous loops in a certain order to produce a fabric that is thicker and more durable than knitting or crochet. Nålbinding is still practiced in Scandinavian countries and parts of Peru.
WWU Honors the Life & Legacy of Noemi Ban at Western with a talk by James Waller, Cohen Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College, New Hampshire
In a world in which “Never Again” is better understood as “Again and Again,” this lecture addresses how genocide prevention is possible and why it matters in today’s world. Closer to home, we will explore why genocide prevention matters to us as we think about our country’s past, present, and future.
Finally, the lecture will conclude with an understanding of why Holocaust and genocide studies matter so much in today’s world for the promotion and protection of civil and human rights.
The Good Time Girls’ annual celebration of holiday themed Belling-history and seasonal boozy drinks! This 2-hour event features a guided walking tour of downtown Bellingham filled with holiday-themed history, trivia and caroling; sandwiched between boozy beverages at some of our favorite local watering holes: Thousand Acres Cider house and Uisce Irish Pub.
You’ll hear about how and when Santa Claus came to B-town over the years; learn the deets on Bellingham’s world-record giant “Yule Tree” and more! We’ll provide the stories as well as souvenir song-books and other surprises.
Because we like to have a good time while supporting a good cause, A portion of our proceeds will benefit Animals as natural therapy (ant) mental health programs for at-risk youth, veterans, & elders.
The Good Time Girls’ annual celebration of holiday themed Belling-history and seasonal boozy drinks! This 2-hour event features a guided walking tour of downtown Bellingham filled with holiday-themed history, trivia and caroling; sandwiched between boozy beverages at some of our favorite local watering holes: Thousand Acres Cider house and Uisce Irish Pub.
You’ll hear about how and when Santa Claus came to B-town over the years; learn the deets on Bellingham’s world-record giant “Yule Tree” and more! We’ll provide the stories as well as souvenir song-books and other surprises.
Because we like to have a good time while supporting a good cause, A portion of our proceeds will benefit Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT) mental health programs for at-risk youth, veterans, & elders.
We’re offering three tour dates this year so you don’t have any excuses to miss out on the fun.
Saturdays Dec 7th, 14th and 21st 7-9 pm
Tickets $20-$40
(Base ticket price is $20 with drink add-ons of varying prices)
21+ with valid ID
Festive-but-warm dress is encouraged and appreciated!
Meeting location and more details available upon checkout.
The Good Time Girls’ annual celebration of holiday themed Belling-history and seasonal boozy drinks! This 2-hour event features a guided walking tour of downtown Bellingham filled with holiday-themed history, trivia and caroling; sandwiched between boozy beverages at some of our favorite local watering holes: Thousand Acres Cider house and Uisce Irish Pub.
You’ll hear about how and when Santa Claus came to B-town over the years; learn the deets on Bellingham’s world-record giant “Yule Tree” and more! We’ll provide the stories as well as souvenir song-books and other surprises.
Because we like to have a good time while supporting a good cause, A portion of our proceeds will benefit Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT) mental health programs for at-risk youth, veterans, & elders.
We’re offering three tour dates this year so you don’t have any excuses to miss out on the fun.
Saturdays Dec 7th, 14th and 21st 7-9 pm
Tickets $20-$40
(Base ticket price is $20 with drink add-ons of varying prices)
21+ with valid ID
Festive-but-warm dress is encouraged and appreciated!
Meeting location and more details available upon checkout.
Also known as The Crucified Lovers, A Story From Chikamatsu continues Mizoguchi Kenji’s exploration of Japanese literary and theatrical traditions. Here, a bunraku puppet play provides the basis for a story about a misunderstanding that puts two people in the crosshairs of a rigid and judgmental social structure. A powerful critique and profound emotional experience, A Story From Chikamatsu is a film of great visual beauty that will stay with you for a long time to come.
A Story From Chikamatsu will be introduced by Eren Odabasi, Assistant Professor of Global Cinema in the Department of English at Western Washington University, whose research and teaching interests include media policy and governance, diasporic filmmakers and audiences, and auteur theory.
“A great masterpiece that could only have been made by Mizoguchi.” —Akira Kurosawa
In recognition of Juneteenth, Freedom Day, CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival presents a free, online screening of the documentary, “Children of the Civil Rights,” directed by Julia Clifford starting Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21.
The documentary is the story of strength of a group of young kids who, for six years, went into restaurants and asked for service. It never got violent, it never made national news but these kids desegregated every restaurant in Oklahoma City except one before the 1964 Civil Rights Act was made into law. Children of the Civil Rights shares their six year odyssey to freedom.
Three of those in the film–Joyce Henderson, Bill Clifford and Ayanna Najuma–join filmmaker Clifford in a recorded discussion about the film, their experiences and their thoughts on current events of Black Lives Matter. It is available starting June 19th, on CASCADIA’s website and Facebook page. Tamika Lamison, program director of the Commercial Directors Diversity Program based in Los Angeles leads the conversation.
Learn more about the film here: https://cliffordcreations.com/children-of-the-civil-rights/
Watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/81281128
Watch the film anytime online from Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 22 by clicking here: https://vimeo.com/117870529 and inserting the password: civil1958
In recognition of Juneteenth, Freedom Day, CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival presents a free, online screening of the documentary, “Children of the Civil Rights,” directed by Julia Clifford starting Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21.
The documentary is the story of strength of a group of young kids who, for six years, went into restaurants and asked for service. It never got violent, it never made national news but these kids desegregated every restaurant in Oklahoma City except one before the 1964 Civil Rights Act was made into law. Children of the Civil Rights shares their six year odyssey to freedom.
Three of those in the film–Joyce Henderson, Bill Clifford and Ayanna Najuma–join filmmaker Clifford in a recorded discussion about the film, their experiences and their thoughts on current events of Black Lives Matter. It is available starting June 19th, on CASCADIA’s website and Facebook page. Tamika Lamison, program director of the Commercial Directors Diversity Program based in Los Angeles leads the conversation.
Learn more about the film here: https://cliffordcreations.com/children-of-the-civil-rights/
Watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/81281128
Watch the film anytime online from Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 22 by clicking here: https://vimeo.com/117870529 and inserting the password: civil1958
In recognition of Juneteenth, Freedom Day, CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival presents a free, online screening of the documentary, “Children of the Civil Rights,” directed by Julia Clifford starting Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21.
The documentary is the story of strength of a group of young kids who, for six years, went into restaurants and asked for service. It never got violent, it never made national news but these kids desegregated every restaurant in Oklahoma City except one before the 1964 Civil Rights Act was made into law. Children of the Civil Rights shares their six year odyssey to freedom.
Three of those in the film–Joyce Henderson, Bill Clifford and Ayanna Najuma–join filmmaker Clifford in a recorded discussion about the film, their experiences and their thoughts on current events of Black Lives Matter. It is available starting June 19th, on CASCADIA’s website and Facebook page. Tamika Lamison, program director of the Commercial Directors Diversity Program based in Los Angeles leads the conversation.
Learn more about the film here: https://cliffordcreations.com/children-of-the-civil-rights/
Watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/81281128
Watch the film anytime online from Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 22 by clicking here: https://vimeo.com/117870529 and inserting the password: civil1958
Note: This program has been changed from the original topic, “The History of Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad.”
Join the Whatcom County Historical Society as they return to in-person programs in the Rotunda Room of Old City Hall. Wes Gannaway will discuss the early history of the settlement at Bellingham Bay.
It is unknown who settled at Bellingham Bay first, but evidence shows that Native villages existed along the shorelines at Cherry Point shortly after the glaciers receded, about 5,000 years ago. As for the first European settlers, Alonzo Poe was at the Fairhaven site in August of 1852 and the Dickenson family was near the mouth of Whatcom Creek in December 1852. Wes will be showing a number of the drawings done by the U.S. Survey of the local area from 1852 to 1858, along with a few photos taken of the upper Salish Sea at that time. Early pictures of the settlement at Bellingham Bay will also be shown.
In-person programs in the Rotunda Room of Old City Hall will have distanced seating with a maximum capacity of 50 people on a first come, first serve basis. When capacity is reached, the Museum will provide a website link to our livestreamed program on YouTube (https://youtu.be/j28TAb1esMU) for viewing offsite. Masks will be required for all participants regardless of vaccination status. If you feel unwell or have any symptoms of illness, please tune in virtually to our programs.
Spirits and séances and hauntings, oh my!
Washington, Oregon, and Idaho have been hotbeds of ghostly phenomena for hundreds of years. Discover the hidden history and current local efforts to search for…
Ghosts of the Pacific Northwest
Whatcom County is no stranger to ghostly phenomena, many steeped in rich traditions and legends. Join instructor Matthew Thuney and ghost investigator Brian Lee to explore the eerie phenomenon of the spirit world, from the beginnings of our haunted human history to sightings and encounters right here in Whatcom County. We’ll delve into some of our civilization’s strangest reported experiences with the spectral realm and also discuss some local ghost hunts. You might even want to join one…
if you dare!
Saturday, October 23, 10:00AM – 1:00PM,
Via Zoom
Contact Whatcom Community College
Community & Continuing Education to register or for more information
https://register.whatcomcommunityed.com/CourseStatus.awp?&Course=21F8201011XA&DirectFrom=Schedule
Registration Fee: $45
Stroll through one of Bellingham’s oldest neighborhoods and hear stories about pioneer families, Victorian houses, parks, schools, churches, stores, and more! Runs about an hour and distance is less than one mile. Meeting location upon booking. For more information see our website at bellinghistory.com
Join Bellingham Parks & Recreation for a presentation in the Rotunda Room of Old City Hall with Museum Educator Drew Whatley. Take a break from the mid-winter blues with some second-hand sun! Whatley will take you on a leisurely tour through some of the sights of Southern France. Aside from first-hand experiences and practical advice, he will discuss the history of Provence, a unique and beautiful region with a rich heritage that stretches back to the Romans.
Light refreshments served.
Free! / $5 suggested donation.
