POULSBO — North End residents will have a chance to learn about everything from the glacial origins of the area to the rich history of Bainbridge Island’s Japanese-American community next month as Olympic College-Poulsbo delves into the region’s past.

The college’s free weekly lecture series about the history and culture of Kitsap County graces Hern Lecture Hall from 7:30-8:30 p.m. May 3, 10 and 17, featuring local historians.

“I wanted a primer on where we live … presented by the most entertaining experts in each areas.” said Olympic College physics Professor Bob Abel, who is coordinating the series. “I wanted to cover the history, art, science and culture of our area.”

Abel was inspired to coordinate the series, which continue through June at OC’s three campus locations in Bremerton, Poulsbo and Shelton, based partly on the success of a public lecture series he led several years ago, entitled “Star Craving Physics in the 21st Century.”

Moreover, the series is about creating a sense of belonging.

“The more you know about your community, the more you feel like you belong,” Abel said. “There is a sense of community in the lectures themselves.”

“I was disappointed they took the word ‘community’ out of the Olympic College title,” he added.

The lecture series was also designed with the intent of serving as a bridge between the students and instructors of Olympic College and the Kitsap County community. This goal has also been accomplished, as the audiences at earlier lectures far have represented a mix of students, faculty, staff and community members.

The Poulsbo portion of the Kitsap/Mason County Lectures includes:

• May 3 — The history of Kitsap County. Suzanne Arness, executive director and curator of the Kitsap County Historical Museum for 13 years will be presenting an interactive discussion, led primarily by questions posed by the audience, that spans from the glacial origins of our area to the present.

• May 10 — Suquamish history. Leonard Forsman, chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, will be presenting the history and culture of the Suquamish, focusing on how the tribes lived before contact with non-natives.

• May 17 — Japanese-American history. Dr. Frank Kitamoto will be speaking about the Japanese-American community on Bainbridge Island, sharing personal stories and historical photos that illustrate the culture from 1883 to the present. Dr. Kitamoto is a life long resident of Bainbridge Island, except for three and a half years he spent in internment during World War II.

“We have put together a remarkable set of speakers,” Abel said. “Some (of the speakers) will eventually be of historical significance themselves.”

The series is being filmed by Olympic College students Ryan McCrow and Nick Larrabee, and will be available to libraries and schools in the area. The lectures will later be shown on Bremerton-Kitsap Access Television (BKAT).

Information: Bob Abel, (360) 475-7372 or babel@oc.ctc.edu.