In the fifth of a series of lectures sponsored by Old Fort Western and the Maine Bicentennial Commission, an historic interpreter plans to present “Maine’s French and Indian Wars.”

The lecture can be viewed for free on CTV-7 and from Augusta’s city website, Fort Western’s Website and Fort Western’s Facebook Page.

The Maine frontier between 1675-1760 was ravaged by a series of six wars involving the native people and their English-speaking neighbors, according to a news release. Mike Dekker, an historic interpreter, will explore the history of this 80-year conflict.

Dekker is author of “The French and Indian Wars in Maine,” which uncovers this tragic and largely-forgotten story.

Dekker in 2017 participated in an international conference at Bowdoin College dedicated to the history and culture of the Scots-Irish. The paper he presented there, “Resistance and Reprisal: The Scots-Irish of Mid-Coast Maine during the French and Indian War,” has been published in the book “1718-2018: Reflections on 300 Years of the Scots Irish in Maine.”

Growing up and residing in Mid Coast Maine, Dekker developed a passion for the region’s past. An avid student of early American history and material culture, he presents educational programs for historical societies, museums, historic sites, schools and the public.

In addition to talks and lectures regarding forgotten aspects of Maine’s history, he often engages the public through living history displays. Using period documents, images and historically accurate items, Dekker endeavors to bring to life the stories of soldiers, farmers and fishermen on the Maine frontier during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Dekker will meet and greet people at Fort Western from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. During those hours, the fort will reduce its normal admission rate to $6. “The French and Indian Wars in Maine” will be available for purchase in the Fort Western Gift Shop.

For more information, call 207-626-2385, email oldfort@oldfortwestern.org, or visit oldfortwestern.org.

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