NORWAY — Paul Frederics, author of the book “Canning Gold; Northern New England’s Sweet Corn Industry,” will talk about local corn shops at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, at the Norway Historical Society. He will present through a slide show and a display of pictures.

During the last half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, there were 121 corn shops in Maine that canned sweet corn for the nation. At the industry’s peak from 1900 to 1930, nearly one third of the farmers in Oxford County grew corn for the local factories, compared to 13 percent in other areas. Locally, there were corn shops in Norway, Paris, Oxford, Otisfield, Waterford, Harrison and West Paris. Many families in the towns had at least one member employed at least part of the year in growing or canning corn.

Frederics grew up on a farm in Starks, and he worked in corn shops there as well. He currently lives on, and farms, the same land, having retired as a professor of geography from the University of Maine at Farmington.

The public is welcome to attend and share their own memories of corn farming and canning, and there will be some “corny” refreshments. Call the Norway Historical Society at 743-7377 or visit the Society Museum at 471 Main St. for further information.