The San Juan Islands, the history of jazz in Whatcom County, and ties between Bellingham and Nakhodka, Russia, are among the topics in the upcoming series of public presentations hosted by Whatcom County Historical Society.

All seven programs start at 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in the Rotunda Room of Whatcom Museum's Old City Hall building, 121 Prospect St. Admission is free; donations are accepted. The lineup:

Oct. 11: "New Land, North of the Columbia: A Historical Travelogue of Washington," by Lorraine McConaghy, public historian from Seattle.

Nov. 8: "Wild East Meets Wild West: Photographs from Nakhodka, Russia," the joint U.S.-Russian fishing venture with Bellingham, by Stowe Talbot.

Dec. 13: Holiday open-mike session; participants share local history stories, research and memorabilia.

Jan. 10: "History of Jazz in Bellingham and Whatcom County," by Milk Krieger.

Feb. 14: "Hans Berthusen's Barn," restoring a historic treasure, by Larry McPhail.

March 14: "The Mountain Runners," full-length documentary about the Mount Baker marathons. Donation requested.

April 11: "San Juan Islands," by JoAnn Roe, author of "The San Juan Islands; Into the 21st Century."

Reach Dean Kahn at dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-715-2291.

Reach DEAN KAHN at dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2291.