Presented by: John Concillo, Film Producer and Writer

Liberty & Wilderness, weaves Justice William O. Douglas’ life and writings in the context of wilderness and its importance to the human condition; join us for a presentation, followed by a short documentary screening and Q&A with Film Producer & Writer John Concillo.

William O. Douglas was a beacon for the preservation of wild places and individual freedom, by word and by example. These were parallel rights to be defended without reservation. Douglas described the wilderness not merely as an escape, but as a nurturing environment and source of strength, an affirmation of independence that empowers individuals and offers spiritual and physical salvation. He was a guardian against any boundary that restrained liberty and any new control that threatened individual freedom. The answer to society’s problems is more freedom, not less. This was the message he gave in countless speeches to citizens, not just the legal and academic world. As a sitting Supreme Court Justice, no one in the nation brought such a high profile to these issues. His life stands as a record of courage to hold fast against the forces that would exploit or erode these cherished American ideals.

Liberty & Wilderness is a production of the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission. http://www.ochcom.org/

About the Speaker:
John Concillo has lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1972.  He resided in Southwest Washington, near Mt Rainier where he worked in the woods, hiked and camped in many of the same places that William O. Douglas wrote about so eloquently.  This formative time fostered a lifetime interest in all places wild.

He worked in broadcast television programming and production in Portland, Oregon for more than twenty-five years before leaving the industry.  As producer of a weekly news & public affairs program he received numerous letters of commendation and appreciation from a cross-section of political, community and cultural leaders.

John has developed media partnerships and produced programming for scores of events and campaigns including the award winning Lewis & Clark bicentennial.

These monthly, free 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