Jim Kershner coming July 13 to Harrington Opera House

Jim Kershner, whose recent article in the Spokesman Review featured the Harrington Opera House and BankBlock, will be presenting a Humanities Washington program entitled, “Two Extraordinary Lives in the Inland Northwest: Carl Maxey and Chief Moses.” This free event will be held on Friday, July 13 at 7 p.m. in the Opera House auditorium.

Kershner is a well-known author, historian and journalist in Spokane and is a staff historian for HistoryLink.org, an online Encyclopedia of Washington State History. He has published numerous articles and books, including Carl Maxey, A Fighting Life, which was a finalist for the 2009 Washington State Book Award. Kershner will speak about the extraordinary life of Maxey, who was sent to a scandal-ridden orphanage at age 5, kicked out at 11, became an NCAA championship boxer at Gonzaga University and finally went on to become Washington’s first prominent black lawyer and a civil rights attorney.

Kershner will also speak about the life of Chief Moses, who was one of the most notable Native American chiefs in the Columbia Basin region. Given the name of "Moses" by Presbyterian missionary, Henry Spalding, Chief Moses worked hard to preserve the ways of his people.

Refreshments will be served following the presentation. The Opera House auditorium is an upstairs venue. More information is available at the website http://www.harringtonoperahouse.org or by calling 253-4719.