Joshua M. Smith, Director of the American Merchant Marine Museum, joins us on Wednesday, June 28 at 7:00 pm to speak about his new book, Making Maine: Statehood and the War of 1812. In his talk, he will explore the reasons Mainers sought separation from a large, prosperous, and important state like Massachusetts and will look closely at North Yarmouth, a community afflicted with disorder in the years before, during, and after the War of 1812. Smith argues that North Yarmouth was perhaps the most Federalist community in the District of Maine, and while Republicans were on the rise after 1800, Federalists bitterly, even violently, contested this trend. North Yarmouth remained obstinately Federalist for years, remaining loyal to Massachusetts, opposing the War of 1812 to the point where its leading residents led a tax revolt against the U.S. government, and resisting the idea of statehood.
Smith’s book is available to purchase at the Yarmouth History Center gift shop. Our June lecture is free and open to all and will take place in person at the Yarmouth History Center, 118 East Elm Street in Yarmouth, Maine. The lecture series is sponsored by the Leon and Lisa Gorman Fund.
