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BETHEL — The Bethel Historical Society’s Summer Heritage Festival will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at the Dr. Moses Mason House Exhibit Hall, with the 19th annual Hall Memorial Lecture.

This year’s presenter will be Ardis Cameron, director and professor of American and New England studies at the University of Southern Maine. Her lecture is entitled “Unbuttoning New England: Peyton Place and the Undocumented Past.” Cameron, who holds a Ph.D. from Boston College, has lectured, written and published widely about women, cultural politics and working class history.

A 1956 novel written by Grace Metalious, “Peyton Place” sold 60,000 copies within the first 10 days of its release and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year. The main plot follows the lives of three women – Constance MacKenzie, her illegitimate daughter Allison and her employee, Selena Cross. The novel provides details on how they come to terms with their identities as women and sexual beings in a small New England town. Hypocrisy, social inequities and class privilege are major themes in the book’s treatment of such subjects as incest, abortion, adultery, lust and murder. The lecture is free and open to all interested persons.

On Saturday, Aug. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m., a variety of activities will take place under a large tent between the society’s two Broad Street properties. Activities will include appraisals by Jay Boschetti, special displays and craft demonstrations. There will also be guided walking tours of the Bethel Historic District, games and activities for children, guided tours of the Dr. Moses Mason House and exhibits in both of the historical society buildings, including an exhibition of paintings by the late Helen Anna Morton.

At 5 p.m., an antiquarian supper will be held in the Dr. Moses Mason Exhibit Hall. The old-time event dates back to 1855 in Bethel, and will allow those attending to partake of a bountiful meal typical of Bethel’s early days.

Participants will be encouraged, but not required, to dress in old-fashioned clothes (anything not current), share stories of “olden times” and bring a relic (antique or collectible) to exhibit and describe. Those attending will view a Magic Lantern show and end the evening by singing some old-time musical favorites.

Donations of $10 are requested for adults and $5 for those 18 and under. To reserve a seat, call the society at 824-2908, 800-824-2910 or e-mail [email protected].

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