On Monday, Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site will continue its summer lecture series on Pemaquid’s Place in the Colonial World with an evening program entitled, “The Archaeology of Colonial Shipwrights in Midcoast Maine – an Update on the 18th Century Barstow & Bryant Shipbuilding Complex along the upper reaches of the Damariscotta River.” Narrating this story of early shipbuilding along the Damariscotta is historical archaeologist Tim Dinsmore.

The 18th century Barstow & Bryant Shipbuilding Complex marks the birthplace of the shipbuilding industry along the upper reaches of the Damariscotta River. This complex consists of the Hale site, Bryant-Barker Tavern site, and Hatch site – homestead sites to contemporary shipwrights George Barstow and Nathaniel Bryant and blacksmith Elisha Hatch. Tim Dinsmore has directed major excavations of these three sites over a period of 35 years with the aim of determining what everyday life was like for colonial shipwrights and their families during the early years of established shipyards on the Damariscotta. He argues that the role of the families was crucial to the success of these early yards.

Historical archaeologist Tim Dinsmore of Midcoast Archaeology is a professional archaeological consultant who has been conducting research, educational outreach and cultural research projects (CRM) throughout Maine since 1990. He is a Phase I certified historical archaeologist with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission in Augusta and has accumulated twenty-five years of knowledge and experience in Maine colonial history and historical archaeology. He has directed numerous archaeological survey projects throughout the state and been involved in many more.  He received his B.A. in anthropology with distinction from the University of Maine at Orono and pursued graduate studies in Anthropology with a specialization in Historical Archaeology from the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. A native of Damariscotta, he has focused much of his research attention in Midcoast Maine where he specializes in archaeological sites of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Dinsmore has conducted contract projects in the past with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, the Friends of the Maine State Museum, York Institute & Museum in Saco, Fort Western Museum in Augusta, The General Henry Knox Museum in Thomaston, Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset, Damariscotta River Association, University of Maine at Orono and Farmington and the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Recreation for work at Colonial Pemaquid, etc. Tim Dinsmore also directed an archaeology field school through Fort Western Museum in Augusta and continues to direct an archaeology field school through the Damariscotta River Association (DRA). Furthermore, he has conducted Archaeology Outreach Programs at community schools in Damariscotta, Newcastle and Bristol-- all in mid-coast Maine.

Sponsored by the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid, this locally focused program will take place at 7:30 p.m. at The Contented Sole Restaurant, adjacent to the museum. Admission is $5, and free for members. Membership applications will be available.

Attendees are invited to take advantage of the Lecture Night Dinner Special at the Contented Sole Restaurant on FOCP lecture nights. There will be a 15 percent discount off the menu price for all food items consumed in the restaurant between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The 15 percent discount includes entrees, starters, desserts, etc. but is not extended to bar and drink items.

Visitors are invited to return to Colonial Pemaquid on Monday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. for the next evening lecture entitled “Early Settlers and Old Roads of Midcoast Maine”. Historian Kerry Hardy will take a look at the development of roads in the Midcoast area, beginning with the waterways and Native American trails and moving on to the development of bridal paths, early roads, stage routes and other means of moving people and products. The lecture will also take place at the Contented Sole Restaurant, adjacent to the museum on the site.

For directions and more information, visit our website at www.FriendsofColonialPemaquid.org, or you may contact the park manager at 677-2423.