RUMFORD —  Rumford Historical Society President Randall Smith has announced the fall programs.

Wednesday, Sept. 17, the initial meeting for the year 2014-2015 will be held at 7 p.m. at the Rumford Town Hall auditorium, 145 Congress St. The speaker for the program will be Adelaide Solomon-Jordan, an educator in the RSU 10 School District. Jordan will discuss “Colonial and Revolutionary New England: The African American Presence.”

Jordan’s Massachusetts ancestors date to 1741, and included family members of significant achievements, such as Franklin Grant, Baseball Hall of Fame; Charli Persip, musical drummer; and Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, educator.

Jordan holds an undergraduate major in history from Virginia Union University; a BS in early childhood education from Empire State University of SUNY; and a MA from Goddard College with her focus being New England African Americans of the 18th and 19th century.

The Wednesday, Oct. 15, meeting will feature Ross Swain, Rumford musician at 7 p.m. His piano skills were honed under the tutelage of area piano teachers such as Arthur Beaudet; Madge Burke of Mexico; and Bates College’s Frank Glazer.

Ross’ music is well known to many residents of the Rumford area, and he entertained audiences throughout Maine and New Hampshire, including the Balsams Grand Resort.

He will play and discuss ragtime music of Scott Joplin in his topic, “Scott Joplin’s Ragtime Garden.” The program will take place at the Rumford Town Hall auditorium.

James L. Witherell, Lewiston, a graduate of West Peru Grammar School and Stephens High School, will discuss his recently published book on the early life of Edmund S. Muskie at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the town hall.

Witherell’s book, “Ed Muskie, Made in Maine … The Early Years 1914-1960,” is the first book to be published in the past 40 years on Sen. Muskie, and was published on the 100th anniversary of Muskie’s birth.

Much of his research for the book was obtained from the Rumford Historical Society’s Archives Office in the Town Hall.

All meetings of the Rumford Historical Society are open to the public, and new members are always welcome.