The Redmond Historical Society hosts Puget Sound Energy Cultural Resource Scientist Elizabeth Dubreuil at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, as part of its speaker series. Dubreuil will talk about the history behind hydroelectric power plant at the Snoqualmie Falls and about how Charles Baker’s vision for a hydroelectric power system in the Northwest served as a microcosm of the power industry struggles taking place throughout the Nation around the turn of the 20th century.

After viewing the 270-foot Snoqualmie Falls, Charles H. Baker, an engineer and prominent figure in the early streetcar and electrical utility industry in Puget Sound, formulated a plan to harness the waterfall’s immense energy.

In 1898, work began on the nation’s first completely underground hydroelectric plant which would provide power to Seattle and Tacoma. At a time when no standards or laws existed for regulating the electrical business, General Electric and Westinghouse stood toe to toe to settle the argument between DC and AC power and gain control of the Puget Sound electrical markets.

“People who love history love context, because it allows them to fully understand the challenges of people in different periods and allows them a way to form an opinion on the significance of events and even people,” Dubreuil said in a press release. “In the case of the Snoqualmie Falls Power development, there are many contexts that make this story interesting. We’ll focus on the struggle of one man to fulfill his vision of utilizing hydropower for the betterment of society in a period of ingenuity, growth, competitive markets, and new technologies.”

Through historic photographs and records from the archives of Puget Sound Energy, learn about how Baker’s vision for a hydroelectric power system in the Northwest served as a microcosm of the power industry struggles taking place throughout the Nation.

The Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series is a program that features six speakers addressing topics of local, state and Pacific Northwest historical interest. The series is held 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 N.E. 80th Street, Redmond. Doors open at 10:00 am. For more information visit www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.