Southern Oregon Historical Society, Jackson County Library Services hold latest Windows In Time presentation
Jackson County Library Services and the Southern Oregon Historical Society will hold a presentation dedicated to taking a look at past local Independence Day celebrations from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, at the Ashland library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd., according to a news release.
The presentation, “Memorable 4th of July celebrations in Jackson County,” will be a follow up event to the one in Medford, held noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, at 205 S. Central Ave., Medford. Attendees to both events can also attend virtually on Zoom.
The event will be the latest installment in the ongoing Windows In Time lecture series. Hosted by local historian Peter Finkle, the event will showcase celebrations over the past century.
“Learn what has stayed the same in our celebrations for more than 100 years — and what has changed,” the news release says. “At the 1900 4th of July, Medford had the ‘largest crowd in attendance that ever congregated in the county.’ Find out why most of them left disappointed. In 1916, Ashland had the biggest bash in the town’s history; yes, still the biggest to this day. Get the scoop on why Ashland in 1916 had three days of parades, three nights of fireworks, and much, much more.”
Attendees will also learn about the “callithumpians” and the story of a young boy who “learned a lesson by carrying fireworks around in his pockets,” the release said.
Host Finkle is the founder of WalkAshland.com, a website that showcases photo essays about Ashland history, art, neighborhoods, gardens, holidays, trees of the year, and more. He has also written for Ashland.news and Ashland Living magazine.
Pre-registration is required for those attending on Zoom. Visit jcls.libcal.com/calendar/jcls_event/WIT-Jul-2023. A recording will also be posted at a later date on the Jackson County Library Services YouTube channel, youtube.com/@JCLSBeyond.
