Caretaker of Clark County history

Camas native Brad Richardson is the curator of the Clark County Historical MuseumA former Camas and Washougal resident has a new title and additional responsibilities at the Clark County Historical Museum. Brad Richardson, 34, has been promoted from museum experience coordinator to curator. He has worked at the museum since 2011.Another former title for Richardson was visitor services coordinator. He said many of his duties have stayed the same, but they have expanded slightly. Richardson, a 2000 Camas High School graduate, still conducts most of the museum's walking tours and research classes, and he staffs the research library. He also manages the majority of the museum's volunteer staff and First Thursday, First Friday and pop-up museum programs. "I handle inquiries from researchers and the public regarding Clark County history," Richardson said. "I also take care of most of our marketing and maintain our website and social media."The main change is that I will start to have a greater role in the researching, writing and object selection for some, but not all, exhibitions and planning for future exhibitions at the museum and off-site," he added. Richardson said the museum's newest exhibition, "Making Beauty," was researched, written and curated by guest curators, Dr. Steve Grafe and Angela Swedberg. "Everyone here does a little bit of everything because of our size," Richardson said. "It's really a team effort to complete any project. We all wear many hats." He was promoted to curator after he completed his master's degree in public history from Portland State University. Richardson's thesis was titled "The Forgotten Front: Gender, Labor, and Politics in Camas, Washington, and the Northwest Paper Industry, 1913-1918." In July 2014, he presented information about early 20th century radical politics, labor strife and civil unrest in Camas, during a "First Thursday" lecture at the county museum. In November 2015, Richardson was a recipient of a Clark County Tourism Ambassador award from Visit Vancouver USA, a marketing organization. He was honored for being a front-line contact for many visitors exploring the museum and for showing people places such as the Kiggins Theatre and the Slocum House. "His enthusiasm for local history has also made the museum's haunted walking tours a sell-out event that locals and visitors alike look forward to each year," the award stated. "His knowledge of Vancouver, past and present, gives each individual he interacts with a memorable experience of the city we love so much." Discover the History of Buildings, Homes and Properties Richardson will lead a historical research workshop Saturday, Jan. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. He will talk about how to uncover the history behind buildings, homes or properties. The cost to attend will be $10 for Clark County Historical Society members and $15 for non-members. To reserve a space for the workshop, call 993-5679 or email cchm@cchmuseum.org. RSVPs can also be done online at www.cchmuseum.org/property-workshop.

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