LEWISTON — Earle G. Shettleworth Jr., state historian, was the featured speaker at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn Senior College’s “Honor the Instructors” Dinner Thursday, Oct. 1.

Shettleworth announced it was his first day of retirement and he was off to a running start with his first speaking engagement.

His presentation featured a slideshow with pictures of historic buildings in Lewiston-Auburn from the 1800s, many of which are still standing today. He elaborated on the history of each building and its status today.

He said Lewiston-Auburn has a treasure trove of historic buildings and preservation is important.

Shettleworth became interested in historic preservation as a teenager with the demolition of Portland’s Union Station in 1961. A native of Portland, this spurred young Shettleworth to join the Sills Committee in 1962, which founded the Greater Portland Landmarks in 1964.

A graduate of Colby College and Boston University, he received honorary doctorates from Bowdoin College and the Maine College of Art.

He was appointed by Gov. Kenneth Curtis to serve on the first board of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission in 1971. He became architectural historian in 1973 and director in 1976.

He has lectured and written extensively on Maine history and architecture, his most recent publication being “Homes Down East,” which he co-authored in 2014.

Shettleworth completed 42 years in state service upon his retirement.

Speakers at the dinner included USM President Glenn Cummings, USM LAC Dean Joyce Gibson and LA Senior College Chairwoman Lucy Bisson. Accolades and expressions of gratitude were given to the instructors for their dedication in volunteering year after year and also for recruiting new instructors.

Serving on the “Honor the Instructors” Committee were Sharon McGilvery, chairwoman; Edith Jordan, Grace Keene, Richard Lee and Donna Sweetser.