Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center launches 2025–26 Film & Speaker Series

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center is kicking off the 24th annual Film & Speaker Series, a fall tradition that brings cinema and conversation together in the heart of the valley. Each program combines a film or presentation with discussion and refreshments, designed to spark ideas and build community around timely topics.

Era of Megafires

Thursday, September 11, 6 p.m.

The series opens with “Era of Megafires," a mixed-media presentation by Dr. Paul Hessburg paired with visuals by photographer John Marshall. Drawing on more than three decades of research into wildfire and landscape ecology, Hessburg explores how human impact has changed fire behavior in the Northwest and what that means for the future of forests.

Wonderful, Weird, and Worrisome Objects in Washington State Museums

Wednesday, September 24, 5:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5 p.m.)

Journalist Harriet Baskas takes the stage with her long-running project to uncover the strangest artifacts hiding in Washington’s museum collections. Her finds have ranged from a 150-year-old pickle to Bing Crosby’s toupees. Alongside local curators, Baskas will share stories from regional collections and, if possible, even invite the audience to watch as mystery items are unboxed.

Elder Speak: A Journey to Wisdom

Thursday, October 9, 6 p.m.

October’s program brings the voices of four local Elders — Glen Carlson, Joe Roy, Merry Roy, and Ron Scutt — in “Elder Speak: A Journey to Wisdom.” The ceremonial gathering is the culmination of nine months of storytelling, memory, and legacy, offering the community a rare opportunity to hear life lessons passed directly from those who have carried them the longest.

Looking Ahead

The series continues in November with “Fish War” on Thursday, November 13. The film revisits the fight for tribal fishing rights in the Pacific Northwest, highlighting the conflicts, victories, and ongoing work of Native leaders who defended their treaty rights and cultural heritage.

Now in its 24th year, the Film & Speaker Series is supported by the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee and has become a fixture of the local cultural calendar. It will continue to run through April with three more thought-provoking features By pairing entertainment with thoughtful discussion, the Museum provides residents and visitors alike a chance to reflect on issues that reach far beyond the valley while staying rooted in local voices and experiences.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media