When you drive onto Westport Island and see the sign that says, “Jeremysquam 1751," have you wondered what it was like in 1751? Who lived here then and before then? And why it was called Jeremysquam? Come find out on Aug. 10.

The talk, “The History of Westport Island from 12,000 BC to 1751," is at 3 p.m., Old Town Hall, 1217 Main Road, Westport Island. 

Westport Island history author Ken Swanton will describe the island’s history from the ice age to the first settlers. Over these years, four distinct waves of peoples migrated to the area. First, hunters with spears followed the wooly mammoths. Then, sea-going boat people came with harpoons. Then, the Abenaki who left behind large shell heaps from centuries of clam and oyster “cook-outs." A seasonal trader from Massachusetts came briefly in the 1670s; then loggers and settlers in the 1740s.

Swanton spent three years researching the history of Westport and published his book, "Maritime Age on a Maine Island." It tells the story of the dramatic rise and fall of Maine’s famous maritime age on Westport when the island was one of the wealthiest towns in the state. He serves on the Westport Island History Committee and is vice chair of Friends of Westport Island History.
The event is free; light refreshments will be served. A brief annual meeting of the Friends to elect trustees and conduct other business will follow the talk, at about 4:15.

For more information on this event, or on future Westport Island History talks, please visit https://fowih.org/about-us/upcoming-events/  or email INFO@FOWIH.ORG