Clark County Historical Museum Presents Free Public Talk On Hong Kong-Singapore Cinema During The Cold War (Photo) -07/08/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

VANCOUVER, WA — July 8, 2025

 

The Clark County Historical Museum invites the public to a fascinating afternoon talk, “Hong Kong Cinema and Singapore—The Cinematic Connection between Two Cities during the Cold War Era (1950–1965),” on Friday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m. at the museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660). This program is free and open to the public.

 

Presented by scholar and filmmaker Dr. Grace Yan-yan Mak (麥欣恩), the talk will explore how geopolitical shifts in the 1950s redefined the landscape of Chinese-language cinema. With China increasingly isolated during the early Cold War period, Hong Kong emerged as a new cinematic hub, replacing Shanghai and expanding its cultural reach across Asia.

 

As British colonies, Hong Kong and Singapore were linked not only through political structures but also through a shared identity as part of the “overseas Chinese” world. This relationship was vividly imagined on screen, with Hong Kong films depicting Singapore and Malaya with familial warmth and symbolic closeness. Dr. Mak will delve into this “cinematic cultural ring,” which connected the two cities through shared audiences, institutions, and artistic visions.

 

Drawing from her extensive research and film analysis, Dr. Mak will examine key works by MP&GI (Cathay) and Kong Ngee Studio, exploring how Singapore and Malaya were represented in Hong Kong films, how this network evolved and eventually frayed, and how these portrayals helped shape Hong Kong’s cinematic identity during the Cold War.

 

About the Speaker:
Grace Yan-yan Mak (麥欣恩) is a Hong Kong–born scholar, writer, and filmmaker currently serving on the board of the Northwest China Council. She holds a Ph.D. in Chinese Studies from the National University of Singapore, with a research focus on Chinese-language cinema and modern Chinese literature. Dr. Mak co-founded Banyan Tree Movies and has taught at universities in Hong Kong and South Korea. Her academic and creative work includes over twenty scholarly articles, several screenplays, and the novel Black Box of Dreams. She is a former apprentice to acclaimed Hong Kong director Tsui Hark and a member of the Hong Kong Film Critics Society.

 

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For more information about this event or the museum’s programming, visit www.cchmuseum.org or contact Sammuel Hawkins at outreach@cchmuseum.org.

Heritage Organizations Celebrate Historic Zener House: Dedication For New Interpretive Plaque At The La Center Library (Photo) -06/24/25

La Center, Wash. – The historic Zener House, now home to the La Center Community Library, will be recognized with the installation of a new historical interpretive plaque during a public dedication event on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the library, located at 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd, La Center, WA.

 

The event is hosted in partnership by the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, La Center Library, Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM), and the Hannah Mayhew Daggett Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

 

The ceremony will include remarks from representatives of the La Center Library and Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, members of the Hannah Mayhew Daggett Chapter, and Colf Family members. Additional comments will be shared by CCHM Executive Director Brad Richardson, and Katherine Krall, Hannah Mayhew Daggett Chapter President.

 

This interpretive plaque celebrates the important legacy of the Zener House and its significance to the La Center community. Originally the residence of Dr. Charles and Frances Zener, the house was built in the early 20th century and played a critical role in the town’s development—serving at various times as a private hospital, hotel, apartment complex, laundry, and furniture store. After a period of vacancy and disrepair, the home was relocated in 2001 and restored as part of a grassroots campaign to create a permanent home for the La Center Library.

 

Thanks to the advocacy and vision of community members—especially the late Margaret Colf Hepola, a local historian and preservationist—the Zener House was saved from demolition and transformed into a vibrant public space that opened as the La Center Community Library in 2004.

 

This plaque is part of the CCHM Historic Buildings Plaque Program, which provides interpretive signage for sites of local, state, or national historic significance. Funding for the program is made possible by the Courtney Irvin Foundation, with the Hannah Mayhew Daggett Chapter generously providing matching support for this plaque.

We invite the public to join us on July 26 as we celebrate the history and preservation of one of La Center’s most cherished buildings.

Clark County Historical Museum Presents: “The Blacklist Era And Hollywood” With Film Critic Robert Horton (Photo) -06/17/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sammuel Hawkins
Outreach & Public Programs Manager
Clark County Historical Museum
360-993-5679 | outreach@cchmuseum.org
More info: cchmuseum.org

 

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Clark County Historical Museum Presents: “The Blacklist Era and Hollywood” with Film Critic Robert Horton

Vancouver, WA — The Clark County Historical Museum, in partnership with Humanities Washington and the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission, is proud to host acclaimed film critic and historian Robert Horton for a compelling presentation titled “The Blacklist Era and Hollywood.” The event will take place Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Battle Ground Event Center (912 East Main Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the presentation running from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free, but advance registration is required due to very limited seating.

 

At the height of the Cold War, a single question cast a long shadow over American cinema: “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” This thought-provoking presentation examines the impact of the 1940s Red Scare, when the House Committee on Un-American Activities thrust actors, writers, and directors into the national spotlight, forcing them to either “name names” or face blacklisting and career ruin.

 

Illustrated with iconic film clips, Horton explores how patriotism, fear, and politics collided in Hollywood through the experiences of industry legends like Humphrey Bogart, Elia Kazan, and Charlie Chaplin. He concludes with a provocative question for today's audiences: Could it happen again?

 

Robert Horton (he/him) is a nationally respected voice in film criticism. With bylines in the Seattle Weekly, the Everett Herald, and on KUOW, he is a member of the National Society of Film Critics and author of several books, including a study of Frankenstein. Horton has also served as a Fulbright specialist, Smithsonian Journeys speaker, and educator at Seattle University and London’s Architectural Association. He currently hosts The Music and the Movies radio show and resides in Seattle.

Please note: This event will not be held at the Clark County Historical Museum.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Venue: Battle Ground Event Center
Address: 912 East Main Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
Program: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Admission: Free (registration required)

For more information and to reserve your seat, visit www.cchmuseum.org.

 

 

Clark County Historical Museum Launches “Explore Clark County” Lunchtime Walking Tour Series With Tracy Reilly-Kelly (Photo) -06/16/25

Vancouver, WA – This summer, the Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) invites you to take a break from your desk and step into the stories of our community with Explore Clark County—a brand-new walking tour series led by longtime museum team member and local historian Tracy Reilly-Kelly.

These free lunchtime tours will take place on select Fridays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., offering a quick but fascinating dive into the people, places, and events that have shaped Clark County. Each week, Tracy will lead guests through a different neighborhood or historical theme, featuring her favorite hidden gems, newly uncovered stories, and beloved sites that help paint the rich tapestry of our region’s past.

“This is a wonderful way to reconnect with local history in under an hour,” says Brad Richardson, CCHM’s Executive Director. “Tracy brings an incredible passion for storytelling and deep knowledge of our community. These tours are perfect for locals, downtown workers, or anyone curious about Clark County’s past.”

2025 Tour Schedule:

• June 20 – Women’s HerStory: Librarians, Merchants, YWCA + Clubs
  Meet at the Clark County Historical Museum (1511 Main St, Vancouver)
• July 11 – Downtown Neighborhood: Upper Main / Hough West
  Explore Vancouver’s early housing developments and neighborhoods
  Meet at the Museum
• July 18 – Kauffman Ave: Urban + Rural
  Uncover the origins of the Fruit Valley Neighborhood
  Meet at John Ball Park (2300 E 20th St)
• August 15 – Horrible Homicides vs Early Churches + Revival Grounds
  A dramatic tour of the Courthouse District
  Meet at the Clark County Courthouse (1200 Franklin St)
• August 22 – Arnada: Who Are Margaret Ranns, Anna Eastham, and Ida Elwell?
  Discover the lives of the women behind the neighborhood
  Meet at Arnada Park (2404 H St)
• September 12 – Old City Cemetery: Find This Summer’s People
  Explore stories of early residents and summer discoveries
  Meet at the corner of 13th & Z St, near Grand Blvd & Mill Plain

All tours are under one hour and designed to fit perfectly into your lunch break. No registration required—just show up ready to explore!

For more information, visit www.cchmuseum.org or call (360) 993-5679. Follow CCHM on Facebook and Instagram for updates and weather-related announcements.

Media Contact:
Sammuel Hawkins, Public Programs & Outreach Manager
Clark County Historical Museum
Email: outreach@cchmuseum.org
Phone: (360) 993-5679
Website: www.cchmuseum.org