One of the oddest cases of World War II espionage involved a woman, Velvalee Dickinson, who spied on Northwest shipyards for the Japanese. How did she do it? By writing coded letters about dolls. Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger told this story in a <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-case-of-the-treasonous-doll-spy-zib6by/">recent episode</a> of the Mossback’s Northwest video series, but there’s more left to examine. In this episode of Mossback, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to discuss Dickinson’s remarkable story, how she was ultimately caught by the U.S.’s first female cryptanalyst and the Northwest’s unique role in international spy games throughout the 20th century. For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. ---CreditsHosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>Studio recording: Roger Basquette

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;One of the oddest cases of World War II espionage involved a woman, Velvalee Dickinson, who spied on Northwest shipyards for the Japanese. How did she do it? By writing coded letters about dolls. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger told this story in a &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-case-of-the-treasonous-doll-spy-zib6by/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;recent episode&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; of the &lt;em&gt;Mossback’s Northwest&lt;/em&gt; video series, but there’s more left to examine. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Mossback&lt;/em&gt;, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to discuss Dickinson’s remarkable story, how she was ultimately caught by the U.S.’s first female cryptanalyst and the Northwest’s unique role in international spy games throughout the 20th century. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;For more on all things Mossback, visit &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;CascadePBS.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;knute.berger@cascadepbs.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;become a Cascade PBS member&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; today.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;---&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Credits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hosts: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stephen Hegg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knute Berger&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producer: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sara Bernard&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Story editors: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sarah Menzies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Adam Brown&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Studio recording: &lt;strong&gt;Roger Basquette&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

Knute Berger digs into a remarkable WWII-era tale involving spies, Northwest shipyards and a New York City doll shop.

One of the oddest cases of World War II espionage involved a woman, Velvalee Dickinson, who spied on Northwest shipyards for the Japanese. How did she do it? By writing coded letters about dolls. 

Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger told this story in a <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-case-of-the-treasonous-doll-spy-zib6by/">recent episode</a> of the Mossback’s Northwest video series, but there’s more left to examine. 

In this episode of Mossback, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to discuss Dickinson’s remarkable story, how she was ultimately caught by the U.S.’s first female cryptanalyst and the Northwest’s unique role in international spy games throughout the 20th century. 

For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. 

---

Credits

Hosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>

Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>

Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>

Studio recording: Roger Basquette

How Dolls Became Part of WWII Espionage

Why did the U.S. buy Alaska from Russia? It wasn’t for gold or fur, it turns out. It was for fish. And it was a politician from the Washington Territory who lobbied the hardest for the purchase. Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger explored some of this history in a <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/in-the-name-of-cod-ljym9x/">recent episode</a> of the Mossback’s Northwest video series, but there’s more left to discuss. In this episode of Mossback, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to dig into the geopolitical events that set the stage for the Alaska Purchase, the far-sighted Washington clerk who helped make it happen and how all of that ultimately transformed the Pacific Northwest and its fishing industry. For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. ---CreditsHosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>Studio recording: Roger Basquette

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;Why did the U.S. buy Alaska from Russia? It wasn’t for gold or fur, it turns out. It was for fish. And it was a politician from the Washington Territory who lobbied the hardest for the purchase. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger explored some of this history in a &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/in-the-name-of-cod-ljym9x/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;recent episode&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; of the &lt;em&gt;Mossback’s Northwest&lt;/em&gt; video series, but there’s more left to discuss. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Mossback&lt;/em&gt;, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to dig into the geopolitical events that set the stage for the Alaska Purchase, the far-sighted Washington clerk who helped make it happen and how all of that ultimately transformed the Pacific Northwest and its fishing industry. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;For more on all things Mossback, visit &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;CascadePBS.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;knute.berger@cascadepbs.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;become a Cascade PBS member&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; today.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;---&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Credits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hosts: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stephen Hegg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knute Berger&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producer: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sara Bernard&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Story editors: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sarah Menzies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Adam Brown&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Studio recording: &lt;strong&gt;Roger Basquette&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

The Alaska Purchase happened, in part, because of one man in Washington Territory and his visions of Alaskan bounty. Knute Berger digs in.

Why did the U.S. buy Alaska from Russia? It wasn’t for gold or fur, it turns out. It was for fish. And it was a politician from the Washington Territory who lobbied the hardest for the purchase. 

Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger explored some of this history in a <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/in-the-name-of-cod-ljym9x/">recent episode</a> of the Mossback’s Northwest video series, but there’s more left to discuss. 

In this episode of Mossback, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to dig into the geopolitical events that set the stage for the Alaska Purchase, the far-sighted Washington clerk who helped make it happen and how all of that ultimately transformed the Pacific Northwest and its fishing industry. 

For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. 

---

Credits

Hosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>

Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>

Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>

Studio recording: Roger Basquette

The Fishy Reason the U.S. Bought Alaska

Seattle once hosted a summer celebration called The Golden Potlatch. But in July 1913, political tensions mixed with revelry erupted into a riot, resulting in a brief period of martial law and intense battles over freedom of speech. Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger explained what happened in a <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-potlatch-riot-of-1913-qnjfwc/">recent episode</a> of the Mossback’s Northwest video series, but there’s more left to unpack. In this episode of Mossback, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to explore the differing accounts of why the riot took place, the political undercurrents at play at the time, the enduring power of the press and how so much of what happened then resonates eerily with our world today. For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. ---CreditsHosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>Studio recording: Roger Basquette

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;Seattle once hosted a summer celebration called The Golden Potlatch. But in July 1913, political tensions mixed with revelry erupted into a riot, resulting in a brief period of martial law and intense battles over freedom of speech. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger explained what happened in a &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-potlatch-riot-of-1913-qnjfwc/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;recent episode&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; of the &lt;em&gt;Mossback’s Northwest&lt;/em&gt; video series, but there’s more left to unpack. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Mossback&lt;/em&gt;, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to explore the differing accounts of why the riot took place, the political undercurrents at play at the time, the enduring power of the press and how so much of what happened then resonates eerily with our world today. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;For more on all things Mossback, visit &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;CascadePBS.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;knute.berger@cascadepbs.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;become a Cascade PBS member&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; today.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;---&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Credits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hosts: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stephen Hegg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knute Berger&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producer: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sara Bernard&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Story editors: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sarah Menzies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Adam Brown&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Studio recording: &lt;strong&gt;Roger Basquette&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

A celebration more than a century ago in Seattle turned into a politically charged riot. Knute Berger explains its resonance today.

Seattle once hosted a summer celebration called The Golden Potlatch. But in July 1913, political tensions mixed with revelry erupted into a riot, resulting in a brief period of martial law and intense battles over freedom of speech. 

Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger explained what happened in a <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-potlatch-riot-of-1913-qnjfwc/">recent episode</a> of the Mossback’s Northwest video series, but there’s more left to unpack. 

In this episode of Mossback, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to explore the differing accounts of why the riot took place, the political undercurrents at play at the time, the enduring power of the press and how so much of what happened then resonates eerily with our world today. 

For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. 

---

Credits

Hosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>

Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>

Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>

Studio recording: Roger Basquette

Seattle’s Potlatch Riot of 1913

Despite two centuries of speculation and science, a strange prairie full of small, evenly spaced hills south of Olympia remains a mystery. Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger unearthed some of the theories on the famous Mima Mounds’ origins in a <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-mystery-of-the-mima-mounds-xuaxr2/">recent episode</a> of the Mossback’s Northwest video series, but there’s more left to explore. In this episode of Mossback, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to dig deeper into the many explanations that have been put forth over the years, including earthquakes, fires, floods and ancient gophers. Plus, we get a peek behind the scenes at the Mossback’s Northwest video shoot at the Mima Mounds and local geologist Patrick Pringle weighs in. For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. ---CreditsHosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>Studio recording: Roger Basquette

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;Despite two centuries of speculation and science, a strange prairie full of small, evenly spaced hills south of Olympia remains a mystery. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger unearthed some of the theories on the famous Mima Mounds’ origins in a &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-mystery-of-the-mima-mounds-xuaxr2/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;recent episode&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; of the &lt;em&gt;Mossback’s Northwest&lt;/em&gt; video series, but there’s more left to explore. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Mossback&lt;/em&gt;, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to dig deeper into the many explanations that have been put forth over the years, including earthquakes, fires, floods and ancient gophers. Plus, we get a peek behind the scenes at the &lt;em&gt;Mossback’s Northwest&lt;/em&gt; video shoot at the Mima Mounds and local geologist Patrick Pringle weighs in. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;For more on all things Mossback, visit &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;CascadePBS.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;knute.berger@cascadepbs.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;become a Cascade PBS member&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; today.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;---&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Credits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hosts: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stephen Hegg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knute Berger&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producer: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sara Bernard&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Story editors: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sarah Menzies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Adam Brown&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Studio recording: &lt;strong&gt;Roger Basquette&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

Science is still searching for the origin of a Washington prairie full of hills. Knute Berger digs into some theories.

Despite two centuries of speculation and science, a strange prairie full of small, evenly spaced hills south of Olympia remains a mystery. 

Cascade PBS’s resident historian Knute Berger unearthed some of the theories on the famous Mima Mounds’ origins in a <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/episode/the-mystery-of-the-mima-mounds-xuaxr2/">recent episode</a> of the Mossback’s Northwest video series, but there’s more left to explore. 

In this episode of Mossback, Berger joins co-host Stephen Hegg to dig deeper into the many explanations that have been put forth over the years, including earthquakes, fires, floods and ancient gophers. Plus, we get a peek behind the scenes at the Mossback’s Northwest video shoot at the Mima Mounds and local geologist Patrick Pringle weighs in. 

For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. 

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Credits

Hosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>

Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>

Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>

Studio recording: Roger Basquette

The Puzzle of the Pimpled Prairie

The Mossback’s Northwest video series <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/">launched its 11th season</a> last fall, covering topics ranging from the mystery of the Mima Mounds to World War II espionage to Seattle’s Princess Angeline.  In October, Cascade PBS hosted a live event to celebrate the season premiere, featuring Mossack’s Northwest host Knute Berger, Mossback podcast co-host Stephen Hegg and executive producer Sarah Menzies.  In this bonus episode of the Mossback podcast, Berger, Hegg and Menzies kick off the season by digging into the fascinating stories on deck, the evolution of the series over time and the thinking and planning that goes on behind the scenes.  Get ready for the next season of the <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/podcasts/mossback-podcast/">Mossback</a> podcast! Weekly episodes drop starting March 4 on CascadePBS.org or wherever you get your podcasts, alongside new, extended-cut video versions available on YouTube. For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. ---CreditsHosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>Live event recording: Resti Bagcal

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;The &lt;em&gt;Mossback’s Northwest &lt;/em&gt;video series &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;launched its 11th season&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; last fall, covering topics ranging from the mystery of the Mima Mounds to World War II espionage to Seattle’s Princess Angeline.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In October, Cascade PBS hosted a live event to celebrate the season premiere, featuring &lt;em&gt;Mossack’s Northwest&lt;/em&gt; host Knute Berger, &lt;em&gt;Mossback&lt;/em&gt; podcast co-host Stephen Hegg and executive producer Sarah Menzies.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this bonus episode of the &lt;em&gt;Mossback &lt;/em&gt;podcast, Berger, Hegg and Menzies kick off the season by digging into the fascinating stories on deck, the evolution of the series over time and the thinking and planning that goes on behind the scenes.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Get ready for the next season of the &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/podcasts/mossback-podcast/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Mossback&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; podcast! Weekly episodes drop starting March 4 on CascadePBS.org or wherever you get your podcasts, alongside new, extended-cut video versions available on YouTube. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;For more on all things Mossback, visit &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;CascadePBS.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;knute.berger@cascadepbs.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;become a Cascade PBS member&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; today.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;---&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Credits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hosts: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stephen Hegg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knute Berger&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producer: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sara Bernard&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Story editors: &lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sarah Menzies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Adam Brown&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Live event recording: &lt;strong&gt;Resti Bagcal&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

At a live event, host Knute Berger took the stage with Stephen Hegg and Sarah Menzies to dig into the latest season of the video series.

The Mossback’s Northwest video series <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/mossbacks-northwest-2/">launched its 11th season</a> last fall, covering topics ranging from the mystery of the Mima Mounds to World War II espionage to Seattle’s Princess Angeline.  

In October, Cascade PBS hosted a live event to celebrate the season premiere, featuring Mossack’s Northwest host Knute Berger, Mossback podcast co-host Stephen Hegg and executive producer Sarah Menzies.  

In this bonus episode of the Mossback podcast, Berger, Hegg and Menzies kick off the season by digging into the fascinating stories on deck, the evolution of the series over time and the thinking and planning that goes on behind the scenes.  

Get ready for the next season of the <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/podcasts/mossback-podcast/">Mossback</a> podcast! Weekly episodes drop starting March 4 on CascadePBS.org or wherever you get your podcasts, alongside new, extended-cut video versions available on YouTube. 

For more on all things Mossback, visit <a href="https://crosscut.com/mossback?ref=cascadepbs.org">CascadePBS.org</a>. To reach Knute Berger directly, drop him a line at <a href="mailto:knute.berger@cascadepbs.org">knute.berger@cascadepbs.org</a>. And if you’d like an exclusive weekly newsletter from Knute, where he offers greater insight into his latest historical discoveries, <a href="https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/134265/donate/1?ref=cascadepbs.org">become a Cascade PBS member</a> today. 

---

Credits

Hosts: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/stephenhegg-crosscut-com/">Stephen Hegg</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/knute-berger">Knute Berger</a>

Producer: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard">Sara Bernard</a>

Story editors: <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies">Sarah Menzies</a>, <a href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/">Adam Brown</a>

Live event recording: Resti Bagcal

Behind the 11th Season of Mossback’s Northwest

The official podcast companion to Mossback’s Northwest, a video series about Pacific Northwest history from Cascade PBS. Mossback features stories that were left on the cutting room floor, along with critical analysis from co-host Knute Berger. Hosted by Knute Berger and Stephen Hegg

The official podcast companion to Mossback’s Northwest, a video series about Pacific Northwest history from Cascade PBS. Mossback features stories that were left on the cutting room floor, along with critical analysis from co-host Knute Berger. Hosted by Knute Berger and Stephen Hegg

Mossback

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