History on Tap — “Identity and the New Thought Philosophy: A Look at Alzamon Ira Lucas”

Clark County Historical Museum continues its 2023 History on Tap season at the Kiggins Theatre at 7 p.m. July 20 with historian and author Katrine Barber presenting “Identity and the New Thought Philosophy: A Look at Alzamon Ira Lucas.” The program will explore the life of Lucas, a New Thought spiritualist and lecturer of mixed race who lectured throughout the western U.S. beginning in 1903. Lucas used popular philosophies to flip stereotypes in favor of a new racial order that valued the union of the various races that comprised his body. However, the “one-drop” rule — an assertion that any person with even one ancestor of Black ancestry was Black — entrapped Lucas, whose lectures netted him a pattern of police harassment that included surveillance, stints in jail and threats of physical violence.

Barber is a professor of history at Portland State University and the author of Death of Celilo Falls, which explores the impact of The Dalles Dam on the communities of Celilo Village and The Dalles, and “In Defense of Wyam: Native-White Alliances and the Struggle for Celilo Village,” which chronicles women’s leadership in the struggle to protect Indian homes at Celilo Village. The event includes “A History and a Lie” and “King of Trivia.” Admission is $12 for museum members, $15 in advance for non-members or $18 at the door. Purchase tickets at the Kiggins Theatre Box Office or online at kigginstheatre.com. For more information, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.