Presented by Oregon Encyclopedia author Jim Scheppke

In the summer of 1926 one of the greatest silent films of all time, Buster Keaton’s The General, was made on location in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Oregon Encyclopedia author and the former State Librarian of Oregon, Jim Scheppke, will introduce the film and describe the filmmaking process, including the famous train wreck scene — the most expensive scene in the history of silent film. After Jim’s introduction of the film, there will be a screening of the movie in its entirety, followed by Q & A.

About the Speaker:

Jim Scheppke served as the eighth State Librarian of Oregon from 1991 to 2011. He came to the Oregon State Library in 1986 from Texas to head the Library Development Services division. Before that he worked at the Texas State Library and the West Texas Library System. Prior to becoming a librarian he worked as an independent bookseller. Jim Scheppke has served as president of the Oregon Library Association and of the Western Council of State Libraries, and has written numerous articles for professional library publications. He earned a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently holds leadership positions in a number of organizations including Progressive Salem, the Oregon Encyclopedia, the Willamette Valley Mushroom Society and the South Central Association of Neighbors. 

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