AUBURN — Androscoggin Historical Society will host an educational program with architectural specialist Lew Alessio titled “Cape Cod homes.” The talk will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Alessio, an experienced home restorer, will discuss and show pictures of the work he has done at his classic 18th-century Cape Cod house in Greene. Balancing the romance of owning an historic home with life’s practical realities is a challenge that too often has resulted in the loss of architectural heritage. This presentation will explore truth, fiction and the humanity of Maine’s (and America’s) classic historic home, the Cape Cod.

Alessio has been involved in antique house restoration all of his adult life. His own historic home in Greene, a 1791 cape, has been his passion and motivation for a lifelong study of early New England domestic life.

Born and raised in New York City, Alessio has studied early New England domestic vernacular architecture throughout his adult life. He has consulted on a number of restorations in New York, Maine and Newport, R.I. Most of his experience on the subject comes from 42 years living in and restoring the 1791 Bachelder Stetson homestead in Greene which he shares with his husband, Jim Shaffer, four cats and the spirits of generations of the quite remarkable Stetson family. A teacher, among several professions, he taught a semester course, “The Antique Maine Cape Cod Home,” for the University of Southern Maine’s Senior College last year in Lewiston.

Admission for this program is free, although donations are gratefully accepted. For more information about the Society, call 207-784-0586. This event will be held at the Society’s museum on the third floor of the County Building, 2 Turner St. An elevator is available.