Robert Pelletier visits the grave of Arrestide and Georgiana Drapeau at Glenside Cemetery. Submitted photo

WINTHROP — A talk on the town’s cemeteries with Robert Pelletier is set for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Winthrop History and Heritage Center, 107 Main St. He will share his knowledge of Glenside Cemetery and Winthrop’s other four cemeteries.

The talk will be presented by The Winthrop Maine Historical Society.

Pelletier has taught math at Winthrop High School and served as Winthrop’s superintendent for many years. He became active in the society, attending meetings and becoming a board member in 2011.

His interest in his family of French descedents found him researching often at the Maine State Library. His history intrigue also included learning more about the history of Winthrop, according to a news release from the society.

In 1928, representatives from the Alfred Maxwell. Jr. Post No. 40 traveled to Belleau Woods in France, carrying a casket of soil taken from the soil in Glenside Cemetery where World War I soldiers were buried. The soil was scattered on graves in Belleau Woods, and the Legionnaires returned to Winthrop with a casket full of French soil.

Today an International Shrine stone displays a bronze plaque atop a casket containing soil from French graves of American soldiers where a French flag and an American flag fly side by side over Glenside Cemetery. On July 11, Pelletier will share his knowledge of Glenside Cemetery and those buried there.

For those who opt for a Zoom option, email the society at winthropmainehistorical@gmail.com to have the link sent. The recording will be available on the Society’s YouTube Channel at Winthrop Maine Historical Society.

Check out other upcoming area events!