Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau presenter Steve Edmiston will lecture on the Washington State history that continues to shape UFO narratives.
On August 1, 1947, the tragic crash of a B-25 bomber in Washington State triggered an FBI investigation of “The Maury Island Incident”—an infamous Northwest UFO sighting, and history’s first alleged encounter with the so-called “Men in Black.”
The FBI’s records from 1947, which were sealed for decades, reveal Cold War fears, jurisdictional disputes, cover-ups, false confessions, a courageous FBI Special Agent, and the hands-on involvement of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.
Relying on the FBI records, this talk exposes a Washington story that shapes our current UFO narratives, from 1950’s pulp magazines to the ubiquitous X-Files and Men in Black film franchises. Also examined: how the Northwest’s unique position in UFO history is challenged by others that assert contradictory narratives.
About the presenter:
Steve Edmiston (he/him) is a business and entertainment lawyer with Bracepoint Law, and an indie film screenwriter and producer. Edmiston has keynoted for the Pacific Northwest History Conference, Washington State Historical Museum, McMenamins History Pubs, film festivals, conferences, and business groups. He was the screenwriter and co-producer of “The Maury Island Incident,” a short film chronicling the true story of Harold Dahl and his alleged 1947 sighting of a UFO over Puget Sound.
Edmiston lives in Des Moines, WA.
This event is sponsored by the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau.
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AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Science, Math & Nature | Local History | Learning & Lectures |
Mon, Dec 30 | 9:00AM to 7:00PM |
Tue, Dec 31 | 9:00AM to 5:00PM |
Wed, Jan 01 | Closed |
Thu, Jan 02 | 9:00AM to 7:00PM |
Fri, Jan 03 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM |
Sat, Jan 04 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM |
Sun, Jan 05 | 12:00PM to 4:00PM |
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Computers & Technology:
• 16 public computers
• 2 children’s computers
• Free WiFi
Meeting & Study Rooms:
• 136 capacity meeting room
Services:
• Faxing, copying, scanning