One hundred years ago, seacoast forts like Flagler, Casey, and Worden were the sentinels of Puget Sound. Built with acres of concrete, bristling with coastal defense guns, they housed hundreds of soldiers and artillerymen. But what were they guarding against?

 Bill Woodward, Professor of American History at Seattle Pacific University, discusses “Those Mysterious Seacoast Forts,” at 2pm Sunday September 16 at the Everett Public Library Auditorium, 2702 Hoyt in Everett.

 Washington’s seacoast forts are state parks now, a playground for dogs and kids, but a hundred years ago they were a defense network. The first was built after the Civil War and guarded the Columbia River, but within a generation they covered all approaches to Puget Sound. What were the threats they meant to deter, were those threats real, and what effect, if any, does any of this have to do with us today?

 Woodward says the fears that gave rise to these forts still echo today, and help explain both how Americans see the world and how we rely on new technologies to “guarantee” security.  

 This event is free.

 For further information, please call 425-257-8000.