Patten Free Library Announces 22nd Annual Town History Series for 2026

Patten Free Library’s Sagadahoc History and Genealogy Room announced the return of its Town History Series, now in its 22nd year, with three talks scheduled for late January and February. The announcement, posted on the library’s News & Updates on January 2, lays out programs that pair community-focused topics with hybrid delivery to reach both local attendees and remote viewers.

The series opens Saturday, January 24 in Bath with a presentation on Emma Eames by Claude Berube. On Saturday, February 7 the Georgetown program will explore "Lost on the Coast of Ireland: Georgetown’s William Riggs and the Wreck of the Stephen Whitney," presented by Darice Birge. The third scheduled lecture, Saturday, February 21 in West Bath, will examine "The Ebb and Flow of Community Development Along the New Meadows River," presented by Mark Lincicome. All programs will be offered in person and streamed live on YouTube; reservations are required for in-person attendance and recordings will be posted following each program.

For Sagadahoc County residents, the series functions as both civic memory and practical resource. Genealogists and family historians gain access to recorded talks they can replay while compiling family trees; local teachers and students can integrate recorded material into classroom units on regional maritime, industrial, and community development history. The requirement to reserve in-person seats reflects continuing demand for small public events and the need to manage limited venue capacity, while online streaming broadens participation to those who cannot travel to Bath, Georgetown, or West Bath.

The hybrid format reflects a broader, sustained shift in how local cultural institutions deliver programming. By combining live events with digital distribution, the library reduces barriers to access and extends the lifespan of public history content. For local leaders and cultural policymakers, these programs offer low-cost ways to boost civic engagement and heritage tourism, which can benefit small businesses around event venues on program dates.

As the series progresses, the library’s recordings will create an archival asset for the county, useful for long-term research and for tracking themes in Sagadahoc’s history such as maritime connections, coastal communities, and patterns of local development. Residents interested in attending in person or viewing live should note the reservation requirement and plan accordingly for the January and February dates.