AUBURN – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is Maine’s best-known poet and storyteller. His literary contributions made the fireside poet the favorite of many people.

Area residents will be able to “Meet Henry” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at the Schooner Estates Tenants Harbor Room. Admission is free.

The program will rediscover the man and his times. Maine was an agricultural/fishing region during Longfellow’s time (1807 to 1882) and no one captured the spirit of the day like Longfellow.

Longfellow, his times and his works will be the focus of the presentation, which runs about 40 minutes. Poems read and discussed will include “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” “The Village Blacksmith,” “My Lost Youth, “The Children’s Hour” and “The Old Clock on the Stairs.”

Ted Wallace, a teacher in Maine and Massachusetts for many years, will present the program. He is also a radio DJ, having worked in Portland and Bangor markets.

Wallace has published poetry and humorous works in many Maine papers. He is involved in writing a novel dealing with the Maine homefront during World War II.