More than 40 years after its original publication, A Peculiar Paradise: A History of Blacks in Oregon, 1788-1940, remains the most comprehensive chronology of Black life in Oregon. And now with this Second Edition, more information is included that wasn't previously available.

Elizabeth McLagan's work details how in spite of historic legal and social barriers, pioneering Black individuals and families persevered in Oregon and helped create the state's modern Black communities.

Elizabeth McLagan is a retired instructor at Portland Community College. She graduated with a degree in history from Oregon State University and earned an MFA in poetry from Eastern Washington University. She is a writer for Blackpast.com.

These events are open to everyone interested in Oregon and Pacific Northwest history. Co-sponsored by like-minded historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers and historians who expound on topics from Lewis and Clark to shipwrecks, hop growing to women pioneers and far, far beyond. It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp