AUGUSTA — In the third of a series of lectures sponsored by Old Fort Western and the Maine Bicentennial Commission, Ken Hamilton is scheduled to present “French Privateers along the Maine Coast.”

The lecture can be viewed for free on CTV-7, the city of Augusta website, Fort Western’s website and Fort Western’s Facebook page.

During a meet and greet from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at Fort Western Hamilton plans to entertain questions on the early 17th- and 18th-century French privateers. During that time, the fort’s normal admission rate will be reduced to $6.

Hamilton studied history at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, and Anthropology at U-Mass Amherst in Massachusetts. His passion is as a lifetime history and Native American researcher, and living history interpreter.

He is a reproduction artist and craftsperson (general blacksmithing crafting of French, Dutch and English colonial era cutlery, fine stone Indian pipes, trade silver and nautical items), serving collectors, living history participants and museums (gift shops as well as reproductions for exhibits). He is an artist and contributor to several historical resource books, as well as co-author of articles in the “Journal of the Early Americas” about 17th and 18th century French cutlery, hatchets and axes from New France.

He has had numerous historical film documentary acting roles in A&E, the History Channel and PBS. He aided in the development of the award-winning educational interactive website concerning Wabanaki Native material culture through the ages. He is a professional demonstrator and has participated in a wide variety of educational events, nationally and locally, including schools, historic sites/museums, Native festivals, and historical societies.

Hamilton has been the public announcer and key interpreter (Native and French living history portrayals) at major living history celebrations and battles, as well as historical consultant and research contributor for numerous private historical projects.

Old Fort Western is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, protect and interpret the National Historical Landmark, Fort, Store and House located on the Kennebec River in Augusta. For more information, call 207-626-2385, email oldfort@oldfortwestern.org, or visit oldfortwestern.org or Facebook at Old Fort Western – Augusta, Maine.

Admission rates are $10 for adults, $6 for children 6-14, $8 for seniors and veterans, $25 for family of five, and $1 for those with AAA discounts. Augusta residents, children younger than 6 and active military are free.

For more information and hours, visit oldfortwestern.org or call 207-626-2385.

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