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 Winter 2025
By Jim Garrison, President
As I bring my term as President of the Humboldt County Historical Society to a close, I find myself reflecting on these past two years with gratitude, pride, and a sense of renewed hope for the future. It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve this Society and its members, and to carry forward the mission of preserving and sharing Humboldt County’s remarkable history.
When I think back on my own journey with the Society, it is the collection itself that first comes to mind. Before I became a teacher and later returned to serve on the Board, I worked as the Society’s archivist for seven years. During that time, I came to know the collection very well. I learned its strengths, its quirks, and its secrets. I grew to understand just how unique this collection truly is.
There is nothing else quite like it in our region. Every record, every story represents not just the past, but the dedication of countless individuals who made sure those pieces were saved and cared for. That sense of stewardship stayed with me even when I left to pursue teaching, and it is what brought me back years later to serve again as a board member and eventually as President.
Over the past two years, I’ve had the chance to help guide the Society through both challenges and opportunities. Among the new things we’ve tried together are public events such as the Beer Fest at the Blue Ox. Now in its second year, Beer Fest has given us something important: a starting point. It showed us that there is room in our community for gatherings that bring history into conversation with celebration and fellowship. It gave us an event to grow from, and I believe it has the potential to become something our members, and indeed the larger community, will look forward to every year.
We also reached out to the community in new ways, participating in multiple events around the county. One of my favorites was the Friday Night Markets in Old Town Eureka this past summer. We were able to introduce the Society to folks who may never have set foot in the Clarke Museum or the Historical Society’s archives, but who were nonetheless curious about our region's past. Every conversation at those markets planted a seed, and seeds, when nurtured, grow into new members, new supporters, and new friends of history.
If there is a message I want to leave with you as I step into the role of Immediate Past President, it is this: membership matters. It is the lifeblood of the Historical Society. Our membership dues, donations, volunteer efforts, and, perhaps most importantly, the personal advocacy of our members, are what sustain us. The strength of our Society lies not only in the collection, but in the community of people who believe that preserving Humboldt’s history is worth the effort.
And make no mistake—it is worth the effort. Our collection is unique. It represents not just the accumulation of documents, photographs, and artifacts, but the commitment of generations of people who understood that history is more than just dates and names. It is the fabric of our shared community. These pieces of the past allow us to see where we came from and to better understand who we are.
Looking ahead, I see tremendous potential. I am excited about the upcoming presentations, exhibits, and projects that will continue to bring our history to life. I am equally excited about the opportunities we have to expand our outreach, to connect with new audiences, and to ensure that younger generations discover the value of our shared past. But none of this will happen on its own. It will happen because of you—our members, our supporters, our friends—who care enough to sustain this work.
As I transition into my new role, I want you to know that my connection to the Society and its mission remains as strong as ever. I may be stepping aside from the role of President, but I will continue to work alongside you to ensure the health and vitality of this institution. For me, this is not just an organization—it is a calling.
Serving as your President has been a privilege beyond measure. I am grateful for your trust, for your encouragement, and for your continued dedication to the cause we share. Together, let us look to the future with hope, and let us work tirelessly to preserve the past that has formed us. In doing so, we honor the people who came before us, we strengthen the bonds of our community today, and we ensure that Humboldt’s stories will continue to be told for generations to come. Thank you.