MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – In the 1930s most families in America listened closely to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “fireside chats,” a new and compelling way for a president to bolster the confidence of a depression-ridden nation.

Gibson Museum’s own series of fireside chats will open Saturday, Jan. 30, at 3 p.m. in the museum gallery, 21267 Calistoga Road, Middletown.

The series' kickoff speaker will be Walt Campbell, who was principal at Coyote Valley Elementary for 11 years, before retiring to join the team at Six Sigma ranch and winery.

Those who have enjoyed the opportunity to chat with Campbell know that his humorous approach to just about everything, in his own freewheeling style, can make any subject fun.

He is slated to offer fascinating insights into the formation of Lake County and its earliest days, which in Campbell's hands is sure to mean an enjoyable afternoon.

Everyone is invited to this free two-hour event.

Gibson volunteers advise letting them know you’re planning to come, so they can be sure to have enough seating. Write This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , call Nina Bouska at 707-987-2349 or leave a message at the museum, 707-809-8009.

Plans for the February event including a talk by Lake County Museum Curator Tony Pierucci on the importance of oral histories, and how to do them.