Doris Kearns Goodwin - Hatfield Lecture Series

Speaker: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Lecture date: September 9th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Title: An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s

Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker, bestselling author, and a partner in Pastimes Productions. Goodwin is often called upon to share her vast knowledge of leadership and provide historical context for current-day events, especially as our democracy is challenged, international wars rage, and we continue to struggle in a divided and polarized country.

Her eighth book, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s, takes readers on the emotional journey Doris and her husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin, embarked upon as they delved into more than 300 boxes of letters, diaries, documents, and memorabilia that Dick had saved for more than 50 years. The Goodwins quickly realized they had before them an unparalleled personal time capsule of the 1960s and the events and pivotal figures of the decade — John Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and especially Lyndon Johnson, who greatly impacted both their lives.

About The Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series

For over 25 years, the Oregon Historical Society has presented the Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series, bringing together the nation’s top historians and award-winning authors for thought-provoking evenings of history. The series began at the suggestion of Senator Hatfield and continues as a tribute to his legacy of public service and as an opportunity to share stories of the people and events that have shaped history. Past speakers include notable historians and authors Heather Cox Richardson, David McCullough, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Jon Meacham, Cokie Roberts, and Isabel Wilkerson.

All lectures begin at 7pm and will be held at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland as well as livestreamed.

All lectures in the 2026 Hatfield Lecture Series will feature live ASL interpretation, available in the theatre and via livestream.

All ticket holders will be emailed a recording of the lecture 48 hours after the event. The recording will be available for 14 days. Recorded lectures will have closed captioning.

Tickets to the four-part 2026 Hatfield Lecture Series go on sale to OHS members September 16 at 10am and to the public September 30 at 10am. Not a member but do not want to miss out on discounted tickets and early seat selection? Join today!

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