The popular series, begun in 1998, has become an institution here at the museum and we have exciting speakers this year to entertain you on those wintry Sunday afternoons.

On January 20 by Dr. Joel Eastman from USM. He will give a fascinating illustrated lecture entitled The Cumberland and Oxford Canal. This canal ran from Portland's waterfront to Sebago Lake from 1830 to the advent of the railroads in the 1870's. Dr. Eastman will show slides and give the history of this impressive landmark.

February 10th brings us a lecture on The Cottages of Casco Bay Islands by Earle Shettleworth. He will present an in depth slide lecture on the structures on Cushing's Island, Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island and Great Diamond Island. This will help us warm up on a cold February afternoon!

Dr. Joe Conforti of the American and New England Studies program at USM will speak on March 17th. His lecture, New England and the Sea, explores ways in which New England, as a region, has been shaped by its relationship to the sea. Dr. Conforti has completed a great deal of research in this area and will give us an interesting historical perspective to New England's sea.

Our last lecture, Looking Ahead to a Portland Harbor of the Future, will be a panel discussion on April 19, 2002. This will depart from our normal format, but will allow you and our guests to learn more about the future of the harbor, the city and PHM's role in this.

These lectures take place at 2 pm at Portland Harbor Museum. Admission is $5 for adults or $3 for members, and this includes entry into the museum. We are looking forward to having you here, so mark your calendars!

UPCOMING LECTURES:

January 20, 2002: The Cumberland and Oxford Canal by Dr. Joel Eastman
February 10, 2002: The Cottages of Casco Bay by Earle Shettleworth
March 17, 2002: New England and the Sea by Dr. Joseph Conforti
April 19, 2002: A Panel Discussion on the Future of Portland Harbor