CCHM Speaker Series: How America Talks (Differently) About Slavery

The Clark County Historical Museum invites you to the next installment of our Speaker Series, How America Talks (Differently) About Slavery, on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Since colonial times, religious and political divides have shaped how Americans discuss and interpret the history of slavery. From The New York Times’ 1619 Project to the Trump administration’s 1776 Report, competing visions of race and slavery reflect long-standing tensions between critiquing and celebrating America’s past.

In this timely and thought-provoking talk, historian R. Charles Weller, PhD will explore the ongoing debates surrounding the history of slavery and how these conversations continue to influence education, politics, religion, and culture. This presentation examines how struggles over historical memory extend beyond the classroom into the public sphere, revealing the central role these debates play in America’s fractured civic life and national identity.

Admission is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and advance registration is required to ensure a spot.

R. Charles Weller, PhD is Associate Professor of History at Washington State University and Senior Research Fellow at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. His work focuses on religious-cultural identity and relations in Western-Asian and world history. He has published extensively in both English and Kazakh and is currently working on a multi-volume study examining how Jewish, Christian, and Islamic sacred law traditions have shaped American legal heritage. Dr. Weller resides in Redmond, Washington.

This program is made possible with generous support from Humanities Washington, the Vancouver NAACP Chapter 11 39 - B, and the Historic Preservation Commission.

The Clark County Historical Society and Museum is committed to responsible collections stewardship, innovative collaboration, and inspiring exhibitions and programs that engage the community in an exploration of Clark County’s past, present, and future. Our purpose is to share an understanding of the past that will help build a better future for generations to come.

Thursday, February 5, 2026
Doors open at 6:00 PM
Presentation begins at 7:00 PM

Clark County Historical Museum
1511 Main Street
Vancouver, WA 98660

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