Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, 360-704-4508; outside Olympia calling area: (877) 284-6237, ext. 2508; e-mail: lingle@trlib.org.

The summer of 1855 was a time of change in the Puget Sound as more and more people of diverse ethnic groups settled the land. Historical re-enactor and musician Karen Haas brings those times to life as she presents her one-act play, "Sisters in Time," at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 14 at the Chehalis Timberland Library. Sponsored by the Friends of the Chehalis Timberland Library, the performance is free of charge and is suitable for all ages although mainly for an upper elementary through adult audience.

Dressed in clothing of the era, Karen portrays four very different women, telling their stories and singing their songs. Common to all of the women is a work dress, but each adds her own variation. Mrs. William Fraser Tolmie dons a fine shawl and presents the upper class point of view. A fine brooch and a shabby shawl bring forth Emily Dean, full of middle-class European prejudice. Eliza Jane Jones in a crisp white apron presents the American settler’s perspective. Katherine, the only composite rather than actual person, wears trade beads and stands in for the voyageurs who brought the fur trade to the region.

By the mid 1800s, cultures had been blending on the North American continent for some time. Sometimes cultures met harmoniously; sometimes there was discord. Haas’ presentation shows that the ways in which cultures intersected in Washington’s past influence our modern sense of place.

Haas is Curator of Education at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn and is active in re-enactments at northwest historic sites such as Fort Nisqually, Fort Steilacoom and San Juan Islands National Historic Park. She especially enjoys telling the tales of those whose voices are usually silent in history – the women.

For more information, please contact the Chehalis Timberland Library at (360) 748-3301.

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 4 school-based cooperative library centers. The library system is funded by local property taxes. For information on any subject, the public in Lewis County can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians toll-free at 1-800-562-6022. Or they can "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library 4 days in advance.