"America the Beautiful" may be America's most beloved song. But few know about the fascinating life of the writer behind it. 

This film explores the rich life of poet, professor and social reformer Katharine Lee Bates, author of "America the Beautiful." As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Bates' story reminds us of the beauty and ideals of our nation as well as its shortcomings and honors the unbroken chain of Americans striving to live up to those ideals. 

After the film, stay for the Q&A discussion with filmmakers Laurence Cotton and John de Graaf, moderated by Oregon Historical Society Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk.  

Laurence Cotton served as a producer of public television programs, including the recent Stewart Udall documentary, and he originated and produced the nationally broadcast film Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America.  A public historian, Laurence delivers popular talks about the Olmsted landscape legacy and serves as a guest lecturer for a small ship cruise line, plying the waterways of North America.  Laurence was the Director of the Cambridge Forum, a lecture series and public radio program.  He was a senior aide in the Massachusetts State Senate, served as executive director of the World Affairs Council of Oregon, and played a leadership role in planning the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. 

John de Graaf has been directing and writing documentaries, often for public television, for 46 years, winning more than 100 regional, national and international awards for filmmaking - including the highest award for legal reporting from the American Bar Association.  More than a dozen of his films have been broadcast nationally in primetime on PBS, including his 1997 hit, Affluenza.  His most recent film is Stewart Udall: the Politics of Beauty - partly financed through a campaign on Kickstarter. The John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award is presented annually at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in California. He spent 32 years with KCTS, the Seattle PBS affiliate, has taught documentary production at three colleges and authored four books. He lives in Seattle. 

Enjoy 15% off your hotel stay on History Pub nights! Show your ticket at check-in.

These events are open to everyone interested in Pacific Northwest history, and beyond! Often co-sponsored by local or state historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers, historians and documentaries expounding on topics from indigenous history to the birth of Portland, early explorers to hop growing, and on and on! 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