AUGUSTA — Old Fort Western will present the 2015 Winter Lecture Series: Witches, Warfare and Settlement of Colonial New England from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays during February and March in the Lecture Hall of Augusta City Center, 16 Cony St., in downtown Augusta.

On Sunday, Feb. 8, Barry Lohnes, author of “River of Screaming Souls” (2014), will present research on the Third Indian War of 1725 (Governor Dummer’s War) and its influence on the northward thrust of settlement along the Kennebec Valley, according to a news release from the Fort. He will note historical discoveries along the Kennebec, highlighting the shortest route to New France, over the Height of Land and along the Chaudière River to Quebec. He will share studies regarding the ancient portage route from the Androscoggin, through the Winthrop Lakes, exiting Gardiner.

Lohnes was born in Lewiston. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he received an master of arts in history at the University of Maine at Orono. His family resided in Augusta during the 70’s while he served as a teacher of history and English. During that time he served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Maine at Augusta and New Hampshire College. Lohnes research has been published in the “Mariner’s Mirror” (London and the Maine Historical Society Quarterly). His family has resided in Topsham since 1977. He is married to Susan Mulholland Lohnes; they have two adult sons, Jud and Adam. Currently, Lohnes serves as director of Region Ten Technical High School in Brunswick. Lohnes work, “River of Screaming Souls” (2014) will be available for purchase and signing.

Admission is free; however donations are accepted and used to benefit educational programming. Refreshments will be provided. For a complete listing of February lectures, visit www.oldfortwestern.org.

Old Fort Western (1754) is a National Historic Landmark and living museum in Augusta, and America’s oldest surviving wooden French & Indian War era garrison in North America illuminating 300 years of Maine and New England History. For more information, call 626-2385 or e-mail oldfort@oldfortwestern.org.


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