AUGUSTA — The Kennebec Historical Society’s August public presentation, “Readfield’s Jewel — The Union Meeting House,” is planned for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Lithgow Public Library, 45 Winthrop St.

The guest speaker will be Marius B. Peladeau, president of the Union Meeting House, director emeritus of the Farnsworth Art Museum.

Peladeau was the former executive director of the Theater at Monmouth, former exhibition curator at the L.C. Bates Museum, former director of the Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums. He was an accredited White House correspondent and press secretary to a U.S. Congressman. Marius also holds a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees and is the author of six books on art, history and culture.

The Meeting House is on the National Register of Historic Places primarily because of the famous well preserved trompe l’oeil murals by Charles Schumacher, of Portland, done in 1866-68. The building was built in 1827-28 and is said to be one of the oldest brick churches in Maine.

The presentation will focus on the murals and discuss steps being taken to preserve this historic, artistic and cultural landmark.

The presentation is co-sponsored by the Lithgow Public Library and free to the public, though donations will be accepted.

For more information, call the historical society at 622-7718.


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