TACOMA – Oct. 28 – The Washington State History Museum is celebrating Veterans Day with four
military authors of books, short stories, articles, and poems reading excerpts from their works.
The History Museum is offering free admission to retired veterans, active-duty military, and their
dependents on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11. Guests must show valid military ID to enjoy the
Washington State History Museum for FREE, all day.
The following programs are scheduled for Veterans Day:
TVW Author's Hour with Les Eldridge
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 @ 1 PM
Join Washington State Historical Society Executive Director David Nicandri as he interviews Les Eldridge,
author of a series of novels on the American Civil War at sea: The Chesapeake Command, Gray Raiders,
Green Seas, and The Wake of the Woonsocket. The Dunbrody and St. John series, about the adventures of
two sea officers who are separated at sea during the American Civil War, has received rave reviews from
both historians and military officers. Eldridge taught maritime history for 30 years in Washington
colleges, and chaired the maritime committee of the Washington State Centennial Committee. He is also a
United States Army veteran. Come be a part of our audience for this program, which will be aired on TVW.
Poetry and War
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, FROM 2 – 4 PM
How can a poem affect a war? What is the role of poetry in bringing veterans home or sending them
to battle? How does writing inspire or guide us in our everyday lives? Join us for a reading and
discussion with Sam Green, Washington State’s poet laureate; Larry Matsuda, PhD, visiting assistant
professor at Seattle University; and Bill Ransom, academic dean of curriculum at The Evergreen State
College, as we investigate what poetry and stories have meant in the context of our military history.
Sam Green, Washington State’s Poet Laureate
After four years in the military, including service in Vietnam, Green attended college under the
Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Program, earning degrees from Western Washington University. Since
that time, his poems have appeared in hundreds of journals. Among his ten collections of poems are
“Vertebrae: Poems 1972-1996 and The Grace of Necessity.”
Larry Matsuda, PhD, visiting assistant professor at Seattle University
Matsuda, along with his family and 120,000 other Japanese and Japanese Americans, were held in
internment camps for approximately three years. His poems have appeared in “The Raven Chronicles,”
“Poets Against the War,” “International Examiner,” and in the upcoming Fall/Winter 2008 “New Orleans Review.” His first book of poetry titled “A Cold Wind from Idaho” will be published in 2010.
Bill Ransom, academic dean of curriculum at The Evergreen State College
Ransom will be reading from “The Woman and the War Baby,” released this month. Ransom has
published six novels, six poetry collections, numerous short stories, and articles appearing nationally.
"Uncle Hungry," "What Elena Said," and "Learning the Ropes" have appeared in Sunday magazine editions of
major newspapers around the country.
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About the Washington State History Museum
The Washington State History Museum, flagship of the Washington State Historical Society, is located
at 1911 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, just off 1-5. The Washington State History Museum presents
exhibits, programs, and events that bring to life the stories of Washington's history. The Washington State
Historical Society has been dedicated to collecting, preserving, and vividly presenting Washington's rich
and varied history since 1891.
HOURS - Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended hours and free
admission every Thursday night, 5 – 8 p.m.; Sunday NOON – 5 p.m. During the
summer, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Museum is open on Mondays from
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ADMISSION - $25 for families (two adults and up to four children); $8 for adults; $7 for seniors, age 60
and above; $6 for students and military with valid ID; children, age 5 and below, and members are always
FREE.
CONTACT – 1-888-BE THERE,
www.WashingtonHistory.org
Media Contact:
Marketing Office
public relations coordinator
Washington State History Museum
253-798-5877
socialmedia@wshs.wa.gov