LIVERMORE – Washburn Norlands will host its 14th annual Washburn Humanities three-day seminar at the Norlands Living History Center beginning today and running until Saturday.

The event consists of 18 speakers presenting original, unpublished research on events that affected people of New England over the years.

This year the theme is “Mysteries of Northern New England.” Speakers will discuss the mysterious things found when people go digging in cellar holes, where the linen cloth went that was once holding Egyptian mummies together, and what ailed many Civil War veterans when they came home.

Billie Gammon, founder of the history center and coordinator of the event, will turn 91 in July. She put together the event with the help of volunteers Bruce White, the trustee of Norlands, and Susan Oulette, professor of history at St. Michael’s College.

Gammon says the event differs from other programs because Norlands offers free overnight lodging and meals in a church to the presenters and puts them up at people’s houses in the village.

“I’m keeping four and I have the smallest house of the village,” Gammon says.

Gammon describes the event as a sort of family reunion since many of the same people come year after year.

Gammon is especially looking forward to hearing Jym St. Pierre’s presentation about a proposed national park. Other speakers include Kathy Lynn Emerson, a Wilton author of more than 30 books; Rosemary Herbert, publicity director of Down East Books; and Lloyd Ferriss, writer for the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Registration for the seminar is $15 or $10 for one day and $5 for a half-day. A tour of Norlands mansion and the 19th century one-room schoolhouse comes with registration.

For a complete schedule of events, to make reservations or for more information, contact Gammon at 897-2236 or [email protected].