TSHS Fireside Series Update
Welcome to 2026! We have a special event for you on March 22nd that has been so popular, and we have so much information, that we are going to divide the presentation into two events.
The second half will be presented on April 19th at 2:00 PM. Come early…seating is limited, and we will have to close the doors when we reach capacity.
February 22, 2026 – “John C. Fremont Slept Here”
Loren Irving is a professional photographer and historian of the 2nd John Fremont Expedition, which came through Oregon in 1843. The expedition camped near Sisters on Wychus Creek in December 1843. Mr. Irving located and photographed 31 of their camp sites in Oregon and shared these photographs and many stories with us. Other familiar members of this party were Kit Carson and young Billy Chinook.
Brief Summaries of Recent Fireside Chats:
November 23, 2025 – “The History and Culture of the Wadatika Band of Northern Paiutes”
Dr. Diane L. Teeman is an Indigenous archaeologist and traditional practitioner of Northern Paiute culture. She shared an overview of Northern Great Basin culture and history. As the owner of High Desert Heritage Consultants, LLC., her goal is the revitalization and preservation of tribal history, language, and traditional ways.
October 19, 2025 – "Oregon Country: Territory and Statehood, the First Decades”
Jim Barnett shared stories and recollections about the formation of the Oregon Territory after the Treaty of 1846, and the first decades of Statehood. We learned about the "Whitman Massacre," the splitting off of Washington territory, our unique constitutional heritage, and the formation of the Warm Springs Reservation.
March 23, 2025 – "Oregon Country: Exploration and Settlement of the Pacific Northwest"
Presented by Jim Barnett, a local historian who has published seven books on themes surrounding the voyages of Captain James Cook and George Vancouver, as well as the early history of the West Coast of North America. His presentation on the early history of Oregon - before there was an “Oregon”- bringing us up to 1846 when the Oregon Boundary Dispute between Great Britain and the U.S. was resolved and the Oregon Territory was formed. It was fascinating and drew another sell-out crowd.
February 23, 2025 – “Charles M. Russell, Icon of the American West”
Russell biographer Dr. Larry Len Peterson, talked about the life and art of the West’s greatest artist, Charles M. Russell (1864-1926). Singer-songwriter Jim Cornelius joined us with his rendition of an Ian Tyson song, The Gift, about Charles Russell to the delight of the audience - another full house. We also had a very successful auction (with Jim as a terrific auctioneer!) of a framed Charles Russell print, and three of Dr. Peterson’s books were also raffled off.
November 17, 2024 | “The Native People’s Presence in Central Oregon from Time Immemorial”
Presented by Wilson Wewa. A Northern Paiute’s stories of growing up on the Warm Springs Reservation and the travels he and his grandmother, Maggie Wewa, did all around the Pacific Northwest. They were fascinating and enlightening to the large crowd that gathered to hear him.
October 20, 2024 “The Dam Fiasco at Bull Flat - The History of the 1914 Tumalo Project” was presented by Mike Berry.
We wish to thank Cody Rheault of Cody Roux Media for filming and editing our Fireside Chats, and the Roundhouse Foundation for providing the grant funds to allow us to preserve these special events for you.
Fireside Story Evening
“If the Trees Could Speak: Stories of Camp Sherman”
Did you ever wonder how the community was named Camp Sherman? Or who started the Camp Sherman Store? Or when the first Metolius River cabins were built and by whom? Or where to find the Camp Sherman golf course, the old dairy, or Camp Sisters? Lorie Hancock, a representative of the Camp Sherman Historical Society will answer these questions and more, sharing lots of interesting stories about the history of the special area.
Reservations may be made at 541-610-6323. Doors will open at 6:00. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. Seating is first-come, first-served. The event is free for current members of the Three Sisters Historical Society, and you will have the opportunity to join TSHS at the event!
Fireside Story Evening
An Insider’s View of Local Logging, Lumber, and Milling
Jim Crowell, a resident of Bend since 1940 and a long-time employee of Brooks-Scanlon - from summer help in his college days to top-level management later, including with Brooks Resources as they develop the concept and execution of Black Butte Ranch - will share his perspectives on the origin, growth, and impact of this vital industry on Central Oregon for more than a century.
Reservations may be made at 541-610-6323. Doors will open at 6:00. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. Seating is first-come, first-served. The event is free for current members of the Three Sisters Historical Society, and you will have the opportunity to join TSHS at the event!