At Home, At War, At Sea: Interpreting & Understanding Historic Experiences

Join the Brick Store Museum for a Discussion Series! Using Maine Humanities Council’s Discussion Project program as a framework, gather with community members to read and discuss historic letters and diaries from the archives of the Brick Store Museum. This program seeks to engage our community in connections with the past and with each other.

This year, our program convenes (via ZOOM) for three sessions on February 27, March 13, and April 10, all from 6:00pm to 7:30pm (until 8:00pm on the final session). Participants should expect to attend all three sessions. This series is facilitated by Dr. Libby Bischof, Maine Humanities Council Facilitator, Executive Director of the Osher Map Library, and Professor of History at the University of Southern Maine.

The theme for our shared readings in “At Home, At War, At Sea: Interpreting & Understanding Historic Experiences,” which will feature three different diaries and collections of letters that show diverse perspectives of lives in the 19th century, all written by Kennebunk inhabitants. This series lets participants dive into local history and its people through reading first-hand accounts of life 150 years ago, to discuss (like a book group!) with peers and react in real time. This program takes place via Zoom so participants can read and discuss from the comfort of their homes.

Participants will be mailed printed copies of the archival documents and will also receive them digitally (via email). All those who register prior to February 10th will receive their printed packet in the mail prior to our first meeting. Should you register after this date, you may not receive your packet in time for the first session (everyone will receive PDF copies to you email, so you’ll still get the readings!).

Participants will receive Zoom links to each session one week prior to the start date.

Thanks to support from the Maine Humanities Council, this program is free, with registration required.

This program is limited to 16 attendees. We have started a Waiting List. If you are interested in joining the list to be made aware of our next opportunity, please email [email protected].