Meet the Clarke Museum's Staff!
Meet the Clarke Museum's Board of Directors!Billy Hilfiker
President Norman Day Vice President Chuck Petty Treasurer and Trustee Chuck is a Eureka native, having graduated from Eureka High School and Humboldt State University. He is retired from the position of Pathology/Phlebotomy manager at St. Joseph Hospital, as vice-chair of the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Eureka and as vice-president of the Historic Eureka Theater. He is currently the president of the Eureka Heritage Society, treasurer and trustee of the Clarke Historical Museum and executive director of the Humboldt County Historical Society. Chuck and his wife Wendy share a love of local history, especially architectural history and have restored 3 historic structures in Eureka and are working on their 4th. Wendy Wahlund Secretary and Trustee Wendy Wahlund is a past president of the Clarke Historical Museum and has been a trustee, board member, and advocate for the museum for over thirty years. In addition, she is the former owner of A&L Feed in McKinleyville, a business established in 1975 that operated in two locations, including the former Issac Minor Store on Central Avenue in McKinleyville. This incredible historic structure dates back to 1897 and has had many owners, but A&L Feed has outlasted them all. TrusteesGerry Hale
Chuck Petty Roy Sheppard Lisa Slack Wendy Wahlund Board Members Susan Doniger
We’re thrilled to welcome Susan Doniger to the Clarke Historical Museum’s Board of Directors! Originally from the Bay Area, Susan holds a BA in history from UCLA and an MA in history and museum studies from California State University Long Beach. Her impressive career includes over 20 years with California State Parks as an interpreter, historian, and education coordinator, as well as work with museums and nonprofits in Southern California. After making the North Coast her home, Susan embraced the region’s rich natural and cultural history, serving on the boards of the Eureka Theater and the Humboldt County Historical Society. Her passions for architecture, classic movies, travel, and volunteering align perfectly with the Clarke’s mission. Dana Fredsti Many Clarke supporters already know Dana from her time as Marketing & Events Coordinator at the Museum 2020-2023. She’s also a multi-published novelist with a fascinating background in acting, stunts, event planning, and office management. Her deep love of history shines through in her writing and past service on the board of Sisters in Crime NorCal, where she served as chapter President and events planner. Dana’s wide-ranging experiences include volunteering for over a decade at the Exotic Feline Breeding Facility/Feline Conservation Center, where she worked with leopards, tigers, jaguars, and ocelots. She also co-wrote and co-produced Urban Rescuers, an award-winning documentary on feral cats and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) practices. A North Coast resident since 2020, Dana enjoys reading, crafting with driftwood and beach glass, exploring nature, and sharing her drafty Victorian home with a horde of cats and one patient dog - Pogeen, the Clarke Canine. Gary A. Markussen Jr. A proud Humboldt County native and Yurok tribal member from the village of Weitspus, Gary is a lifelong cultural practitioner with deep ties to our region’s history and traditions. Alongside his family, Gary dedicates his time to community service projects, harvesting traditional foods and regalia materials, and caring for the natural landscapes across Yurok country. Gary’s commitment to preserving and celebrating cultural heritage, as well as his career in IT, make him an invaluable addition to our board. Chris McBeth Stephanie Price Originally from Sacramento, Stephanie has called Humboldt home since 2015. A 2019 graduate of HSU’s Film Program, Stephanie has built a career in finance since 2017, working with organizations like Michael’s, Bear River Casino, and now Humboldt County Public Works, where she’s a Fiscal Assistant. She’s passionate about contributing to the public good and finding fulfillment in her work. Stephanie has been a dedicated volunteer with the Timber Heritage Association alongside her fiancé, managing the ticket booth on Speeder Ride days and helping events run smoothly. In 2024, she stepped into the role of Treasurer, expanding her impact in the community. When she’s not volunteering or working, Stephanie enjoys relaxing with her cat, Ozi, and diving into her love for horror films—especially campy 80s classics and Netflix series by Mike Flanagan. Stacey Schaefer Alan Workman |
Admission
$5 person $15 family |