Geddes Harper addressing HCHS Staff and Board of Directors, 1959. Howard Melendy.
The Humboldt County Historical Society is supported by a Board of Directors, which meets once a month to plan events, orchestrate fundraising efforts, and oversee other organizational operations. These board meetings are open to members. Any interested community member may apply to volunteer as a member of our board. Elections are held on the first Saturday in November prior to the First Saturday Lecture.
Humboldt County Historical Society President, James Garrison, and Secretary, Lara Garrison. Jim was formerly our archivist, then began his career as a teacher in Redway. He is the author of the Arcadia book, Scotia & Rio Dell. Lara is also a teacher at Redway and has been a long-time volunteer at HCHS. They are a talented and effective team!
OFFICERS for 2025
President: James Garrison
Vice President: Mark Castro
Past President: Dr. Alexandra Service
Secretary: Alyssa Ellis
Treasurer: Jack Irvine
Directors
Catherine Alexander, Robert Cliver, Paul Geck, Jackie Farrington, Nick Angeloff, Lara Garrison, Sile Bauriedel, Susan Maschmeier and Royal McCarthy
Living Past Presidents
Arlene Hartin, Tom Mays, Leonard McLaughlin, Jack Nash, Armeda Reitzel, Bill Rich, Jerry Rohde, James Roscoe, Renee Ross, Merry Schellinger Phillips, Steve Lazar, Alexandra Service, Joe Walund, Catherine Mace
HCHS Past Presidents Page
A page to honor our past presidents who have served over the last 75+ years.
President’s Place for SUMMER 2025
Greetings, Members of HCHS!
By Jim Garrison, President
It is with immense gratitude and enthusiasm that I write to you today. While we celebrate seventy-eight years of dedicated service to our community, I am reminded of the vital role each of you plays in preserving Humboldt County’s rich and storied past. Your unwavering support and participation are at the heart of our Society’s success.
A special thank you goes out to all who attended our February luncheon. The warmth of our gathering was a testament to the strong bonds that unite us as history enthusiasts. It was a joy to see familiar faces, share stories, and reflect on our shared passion for local history. Events like these remind us of the importance of community, and I am grateful for your continued involvement.
Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce our 2nd Annual Beer Fest at the Blue Ox Historic Village on August 2, 2025. Last year’s event was a resounding success, and we are excited to once again gather in the setting of the Blue Ox. It will be an afternoon filled with laughter, local brews, and the camaraderie that makes our Society so special. Mark your calendars and invite your friends—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
As we forge ahead, it is important to recognize the invaluable contributions of our members. Your dedication fuels our mission to preserve and share Humboldt County’s unique collections of documents, photographs, maps, and artifacts. These treasures serve as a bridge to our past, offering researchers and future generations the opportunity to explore and understand the rich tapestry of our local history.
We are also keenly aware of the need to increase our membership. The more voices we bring to our Society, the stronger our collective commitment becomes. I encourage you to share your passion for history with others and invite them to join us in our mission. Together, we can ensure that the Humboldt County Historical Society remains a vibrant and enduring institution for years to come.
It is with both sadness and deep appreciation that I bid a fond farewell to our retiring editor, Wendy Hill. Wendy’s dedication and keen editorial eye have been instrumental in preserving our stories and sharing them through the pages of the Humboldt Historian. Her legacy will be felt for years to come, and we wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement.
At the same time, I warmly welcome our new editor, Charlie Hilton. Charlie brings a wealth of experience working with our collections, and a passion for history that will undoubtedly continue the tradition of excellence that readers have come to expect. We are excited to see how the Humboldt Historian evolves under Charlie’s guidance.
As we reflect on our seventy-eight years of service to Humboldt County, let us recommit ourselves to the mission of preservation and education. The stories of our ancestors, the triumphs and trials of our communities, and the landmarks that define our region deserve to be remembered and cherished. With your continued support, we can keep these stories alive for another seventy-eight years and beyond.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here’s to the past we honor, the present we celebrate, and the future we build together.