Latah County Historical Society invites Idaho history buffs and beer enthusiasts alike to attend its upcoming “Suds with a Scholar” fundraising event on Wednesday, June 15th at the Latah County Fairgrounds.
Potlatch city historian, Gary Strong, will be the evening’s featured scholar, presenting “Company Town: Life in Potlatch.” Potlatch Lumber Company established the town in 1906 with the opening of the sawmill. It quickly became the world’s largest white pine mill in the world. Until the mill’s closure in 1981, it was the town’s largest employer, with the lumber company owning most of all the housing and stores in Potlatch.
Gary E. Strong is University Librarian emeritus from UCLA and formerly State Librarian of California and Director of the Queens Library in New York City. A University of Idaho graduate, he also holds a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Michigan. He grew up north of Potlatch on East Deep Creek and attended school in Potlatch. Returning to north Latah County in 2013 upon his retirement he began to organize the collections of the Potlatch Historical Society serving as its vice-president. He later became the historical/archivist for the Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway Historic Preservation Group, chair of the Latah Preservation Commission and Chair of the Scenic 6 Community Development Council. He was instrumental in the placement of the Mountain Home Grange on the National Register of Historic Places and wrote the 100th anniversary booklet for the Elmore Church in 2018.
This is planned as an outdoor event, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Gates for this event will open at 5:30pm, and the program begins at 6:00pm. Entry is $10 for LCHS members and $12 for the general public. The ticket price includes a guest’s first beer, with additional pours available for purchase. A dinner option will also be for sale. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash or check, but cards will be accepted. In the event of excessive heat or smoke, the event will be moved inside to the Event Center.
Major support, and food and beverage service is being provided by Hunga Dunga Brewing Company, one of Moscow’s hometown breweries.
Visit the LCHS website or Facebook event page for additional details. Another “Suds with a Scholar” event is scheduled for July.
Media contact: Hayley Noble, Executive Director, 208.882.1004, hnoble@latahcountyid.gov
Gary Strong, guest speaker, gstrong44@gmail.com