On Monday, Aug. 15, The Friends of Colonial Pemaquid will continue its summer lecture series with a program entitled “The French and Indian Wars in Maine”. Midcoast author and living history interpreter Mike Dekker will narrate the story.

For eight decades, an epic power struggle raged across the Maine frontier. Between 1675 and 1759, England, France and Native Americans clashed in a series of six wars to defend territorial claims and the ability to call Maine home. Although the showdown between France and Great Britain was international in scale, the decidedly local conflicts in Maine pitted European settlers against the region’s native inhabitants. Throughout the conflicts Native and European communities, from the Penobscot to Piscataqua Rivers, suffered savage attacks. Countless men, women and children were killed, taken captive or sold into servitude. The native people in Maine were torn asunder by disease, social disintegration and political factionalism as they fought to maintain their autonomy in the face of unrelenting European pressure. This dark, tragic and largely forgotten struggle laid the foundation of Maine.

Mike Dekker grew up and resides in Midcoast Maine. Along the way he developed a life-long passion for the region’s past. An avid student of 17th and 18th century American History and material culture, he has presented talks and educational programs pertaining to Maine during the colonial and revolutionary periods for historical societies, state historic sites, museums, schools, and the public. Dekker has recently written a book, “The French and Indian Wars in Maine”, in an effort to introduce readers to a fascinating and largely forgotten period of Maine’s early history. As a living history interpreter, he utilizes his knowledge of history and material culture to accurately and authentically portray the story of individuals who called Maine home during the 1600’s and 1700’s,

Sponsored by the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid, Mike Dekker’s lecture will take place in the Contented Sole Restaurant adjacent to the historic site. Admission is $5, and free for members. Membership applications will be available at the lecture.

Attendees are invited to take advantage of the Lecture Night Dinner Special at the Contented Sole Restaurant on FOCP lecture nights. There will be a 15 percent discount off the menu price for all food items consumed in the restaurant between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The 15 percent discount includes entrees, starters, desserts, etc. but is not extended to bar and drink items.

Visitors are invited to return to Colonial Pemaquid on Monday, Aug. 22 for the final lecture of the season. Historical archaeologist Dr. Neil DePaoli will explore “A New Look at Old Pemaquid: What was the Spanish Fort?” Lecture will also take place at the Contented Sole Restaurant and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid web site at www.FriendsofColonialPemaquid.org, or you may contact the park manager at 677-2423.