Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. to Attend the May 13 Annual Meeting of the Lincoln County Historical Society
Date & Time: Saturday May 13, 2:00 PM
Location: Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, 333 SE Bay Blvd, Newport, OR
Contact Person: Susan Tissot, 541-265-7509 or director@oregoncoasthistory.org
Cost: Museum admission rates apply. Free admission to members of the Lincoln County Historical Society, Children aged 12 and under, Active-Duty Military.
The Lincoln County Historical Society is hosting its Annual Membership Meeting in the Doerfler Family Theater at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, Saturday May 13 at 2 PM. The business meeting is from 2 – 2:30 PM followed by a special living history performance entitled, The Great Dissenter: Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. This is a unique opportunity to experience Oregon attorney William A. Barton bring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. to life in a living history performance that explores personal aspects of his life missed by some biographers and readers. The Justice also plans to talk about how the 1923 Supreme Court differs from the Supreme Court of today.
The Lincoln County Historical Society held their first annual membership meeting in 1948. This program is a part of what would have been the 75th annual membership meeting for the Lincoln County Historical Society; due to the pandemic the LCHS did not hold in person meetings in 2020 & 2021. The performance is open to the public. Museum admission rates apply; current members of the Lincoln County Historical Society, children aged 12 and under and active-duty military get in free. Not a member? Membership lapsed? No worries, arrive early and the museum staff will help you update your membership status when you enter the building.
More about the program:
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935) served on the United States Supreme Court from 1902-1932. He is known as “The Great Dissenter.” Before being appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court, he served on the Massachusetts Supreme Court for 20 years and is the author of The Common Law (1881).
The justice is buried in Arlington and will be appearing pursuant to subpoena issued by attorney William Barton. Holmes is one of America’s most celebrated jurists. He was featured on the cover of Time magazine, received the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, and addressed the nation by radio on his 90th birthday.
In 1950 a movie, The Magnificent Yankee, chronicled his life. It was nominated for two academy awards. It was based on a 1946 Broadway play in which the justice was portrayed by Louis Calhern. In 1965, the Hallmark Hall of Fame series presented The Magnificent Yankee, a movie made for television which received three Emmy’s. In 1968 the U.S. Postal Service commemorated Holmes on a stamp.
As a courtesy to the justice, Dvorak’s New World Symphony, which was performed at his funeral, will be played prior to his appearance.
About Oregon Attorney William A. Barton:
William A. Barton has performed as Justice Holmes around the country and before the U. S. Supreme Court. He has practiced law for 51 years as a plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyer solving around 500 cases, including litigation for sexual exploitation of youth in the Archdiocese of Portland and the Boy Scouts. Barton resides in Newport, Oregon with his wife JoAnn.
The Lincoln County Historical Society operates two historic properties that include 5 buildings: the 1895 Burrows House/ Carriage House/Garages & Log Cabin Research Library located at 545 SW 9th St., Newport, Oregon, AND the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center located at 333 SE Bay Blvd., Newport, Oregon. The PMHC is open to the public Tuesday – Sunday 11 am – 4 PM. The 1895 Burrows House is currently closed for repairs but is scheduled to reopen Summer 2023. The Log Cabin Research Library is open by appointment. For more information call: 541-265-7509, email director@oregoncoasthistory.org or visit www.oregoncoasthistory.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.