Cockatoos

Vintage Vaudevillians Returns

February 3, 2023 - May 28, 2023

Lightcatcher Building

Vintage Vaudevillians returns to the Lightcatcher, in partnership with Whatcom Reads. This photographic exhibition highlights a dozen vaudeville acts that performed in Bellingham in the early 20th century. Originally used to promote the acts, these publicity photos were saved by James Warwick, stage manager at downtown theaters during vaudeville’s heyday. The Whatcom Reads book selection, The Cold Millions by Jess Walter, features a vaudeville character, Ursula the Great, who performs with a live cougar. Learn more at whatcomreads.org.


The Whatcom Museum acknowledges that we gather on the traditional territory of the Lhaq’temish – Lummi People – and the Nuxwsá7aq – Nooksack People – who have lived in the Coast Salish region from time immemorial. The Museum honors our relationship with all of our Coast Salish neighbors and our shared responsibilities to their homeland where we all reside today.