Historian to Discuss WWI’s Impacts in Thurston County

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An Olympia historian will speak about World War I and its impact on Thurston County during a presentation in January.

Jennifer Crooks will present “World War I Homefront in Thurston County” at the Schmidt House History Talk from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4.

Her presentation will highlight how area residents reacted to those times, how the construction of Camp Lewis affected the local culture and how women made gains during that time period, according to a press release.

Crooks is a lifelong Olympia resident who graduated from Saint Martin’s University with a bachelor’s degree in history. In 2017, she earned a master’s degree in history from Central Washington University. Her senior thesis was about the Minute Women of Thurston County during WWI, while her master’s thesis at Central Washington University focused on public education in Washington during WWI and the Red Scare. 



The Schmidt House is located at 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The presentation is free, but donations are welcome.

The Schmidt House History Talk is sponsored by the Olympia Tumwater Foundation.

For more information, go online to olytumfoundation.org, or contact Don Trosper, public history manager, at history@olytumfoundation.org or 360-786-8117.