AUBURN — The Androscoggin Historical Society will have seven meetings with speakers during its upcoming season. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the society’s headquarters on the third floor of the County Courthouse at Court and Turner streets.

Programs are scheduled for the following Tuesdays:

Sept. 28: Ben Lounsbury of Auburn, a medical doctor and filmmaker, will lead an event in which members of the audience will participate in identifying landmarks and sharing what they know about them.

Oct. 26: Richard and Nancy Fraser, who live in Poland, will share their knowledge of antique autos and the auto industry in Maine. They recently published the second edition of their book, “A History of Maine Built Automobiles and Motorized Vehicles, 1834-1934, with a History of Maine License Plates.”

Nov. 16: Mary Rice-DeFosse, professor of French at Bates College, will discuss her current project, the Grey Nuns (Sisters of Charity), with emphasis on the social services they provided in the early 20th century and some findings from oral histories of residents who were involved.

Feb. 22: Jonathan P. LaBonte, executive director of the Androscoggin Land Trust and a county commissioner, will talk about events that have taken place in the Androscoggin Valley over the years and how land conservation and recreation are opening new doors to telling the history of the river and its communities.

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March 22: Mark Lee, an associate and architectural designer with the Harriman architectural firm, will discuss a history of the firm’s regional work and compare it to historic trends in architecture.

April 26: Historian Doug Hodgkin will moderate a panel of local genealogy enthusiasts who will discuss topics such as setting goals, tracing a family tree, using Internet and AHS resources and choosing among computer programs.

May 24: Patricia Hughes of Dixmont, the author of “Maine’s Waterfalls: A Comprehensive Guide,” will describe how the Great Falls of Lewiston and other area waterfalls have shaped Maine’s history since prehistoric times.

Also on the schedule is a car/walking tour of Danville’s historic sites on Saturday, June 18, led by AHS board member Betty Young. The tour will include the railroad yard and buildings such as the Danville Union Church and a former tavern that once was a stagecoach stop. The time and meeting place will be announced.

The public is invited to attend without charge. An elevator is available.


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