Seeing as how Kimberly Adams is involved with public relations, she and I have had many e-mail conversations about Washington State History Museum events that always seemed to lead to other discussions. Of course, any discussion had with me is never deep or philosophical and often eventually leads to disturbing banter concerning subjects you wish I never would’ve brought up. I’m pretty sure Adams was aware of these facts, but since it’s her job to relate to the public, she went against her better judgment and sat down with me for a one-on-one chat. No e-mails, no written words in black and white, just her and me and the ghosts of Washington’s history.

STEPH DEROSA: After seeing the movie Night at the Museum I just have to ask — Are there any ghosts here at the museum? Do you guys ever have paranormal experiences after the doors close at night?

KIMBERLY ADAMS: No, that’d be really cool if we did, but unfortunately we don’t have any ghosts.

DEROSA: Are you sure? Have you ever asked the nighttime security guys?

ADAMS: As far as I know, we’ve never had any ghosts or paranormal experiences.

DEROSA: Those are pretty generic answers. You’re good at this public relations stuff. It makes me wonder if you just don’t want word getting out that your security guards are creeped out at night by all the ghosts up in this joint.

ADAMS: I’d love it if we had ghosts! It would drum up more interest in the museum. People think the museum is boring, when I think they are actually just scared of history. There are so many fun, interactive things to do here. And for the record, I used to be a newspaper journalist for my college paper, so I know how to field the questions appropriately.

DEROSA: You wrote for a paper? Nice! What school did you go to? Did you write about cool things?

ADAMS: I was at WSU and I usually just wrote about protests.

DEROSA: Oh, man, WSU? How does it feel to be right across the street from UW and look at a bunch of purple all day?

ADAMS: Oh, it’s fine. They are all really nice and all I have to do is think “Apple Cup” and I feel better.

DEROSA: Oh, snap!

[Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 888.238.4373]