The P-Talk Fall Series 

Join us this fall for a series of engaging talks offered by Pittock experts. These talks will be held in the social room of the mansion in the evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The cost is $17/person. $15/member. Space is limited, so get your tickets soon. Click here to buy tickets. 

October 8, 2025:  

The House that Henry Built, Jerold Wikoff

Jerold Wikoff, former President of the Pittock Mansion Board of Directors, will discuss his book, The House that Henry Built, which explores the life of Henry Pittock, the reasons behind his decision to build his mansion at the end of his life, and what life was like within the mansion. A Q&A and book signing will follow the talk.

Jerold Wikoff holds a Ph.D. in German languages and literature from Stanford University. He taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Dartmouth College, and then worked as a freelance writer for several years. He concluded his work career at Gettysburg College as director of publications & communications and editor of their alumni magazine. In 2010, he retired to Portland and soon began volunteering at Pittock Mansion.

October 21, 2025:  

The Mansion and the Dome: Repurposing Irreplaceable Architectures in the Public Trust, Marcel Brousseu

In 1965, the same year the restored Pittock Mansion opened to the public in Portland, Harris County Domed Stadium—popularly known as the Astrodome—opened in Houston, Texas. Although the two buildings seem to have little in common in architectural style and social purpose, their lives and afterlives can be compared to build a broader understanding of popular investment in historic resources. Although the Astrodome came into existence as an archetype of the future, the same year that the Pittock was preserved as an emblem of the past, the dome now shares the same fate as the mansion: it owes its existence to the public’s belief in its historic significance. The public embrace of both structures depends not only on their past importance, but on their ability to serve diverse public needs in the present. In this regard, Pittock’s ongoing success as a house museum can serve as a valuable lesson for the Astrodome.

Marcel Brousseau is a master’s candidate in Historic Preservation at the University of Oregon. He also has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and has worked as a professor at both the University of Oregon and Portland State University. He is currently working as Pittock Mansion’s first Preservation Intern, helping to organize preservation-related documentation while supporting the Preservation Committee in addressing the short- and long-term preservation needs of the historic buildings.

October 29, 2025:  

The Monarch’s Message, Amy Rebecca Kaufman

Did you know there is a Monarch Butterfly Garden on Pittock Mansion’s grounds near the viewpoint? Or that the population of North American monarchs has declined by 80% in recent years, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will soon decide whether to list it as a “threatened” species? Explore the mysteries of the monarchs’ migration with Amy Rebecca Kaufman, author of The Monarch’s Message, as she reveals the facts behind this fictional story of the most phenomenal migration in the insect world. Illustrated by fifteen acclaimed wildlife photographers, the book offers rare views of real stopping places along the trail, culminating at the overwintering grounds on a volcano in Mexico. This captivating tale of resilience resonates with people of all ages. A Q&A and book signing will follow the talk.

Amy Rebecca Kaufman is a book editor, independent publisher, and writing teacher in Portland, Oregon. Stories, her quarterly magazine for the short story, received several honors during its 13-year run.

November 5, 2025:  

Pittock Mansion, Then and Now, Paula Gangopadhyay

Join Mansion’s CEO and learn interesting insights about Henry and Georgiana’s contributions towards building Portland, new facts about the later Pittock descendants who lived in the mansion after Henry and Georgiana, and the untold stories of those who built and worked at the mansion. Paula will also share how the new vision, Pittock 2.0 is strategically expanding the storytelling of the mansion and connecting it to the broader history of Portland and beyond. Several new initiatives are underway, poised to make Portland’s historic icon a more relevant and dynamic museum and destination.

Paula’s talk about “Pittock Mansion, Then and Now” at The Racquet Club was outstanding! Her unique insights into the Mansion’s history and the Pittock family were both intriguing and engaging. Paula’s creative vision for the future of the Pittock Mansion was not only inspiring but also encouraged us to anticipate attending future Mansion events. Thank you, Paula! You are a gift to The Mansion! – Patricia Wall

Paula Gangopadhyay has been leading the transformation of Pittock Mansion since joining as the CEO in summer of 2022. Recognized as a national leader with over thirty years of executive leadership experience in the cultural and government sectors, Paula brings a proven track record of helping organizations reach new heights of success. Paula has held leadership roles in renowned organizations like The Henry Ford in Michigan and the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington D.C. In just three years at Pittock Mansion Paula has driven positive changes with infrastructure and organizational improvements, significant increase in fundraising and a refreshed approach to revitalizing community engagement strategies through expanded storytelling.