Winter Lecture Series

Each winter, we sponsor a series of public talks exploring how people and events helped shape New England into what it is today. Our 16th season of providing enriching experiences to our community from notable experts on various historic topics starts in this month!

When: Last Saturday of the month at 1:30pm
Where: 7th Floor Event Room, Glickman Library, Bedford Street, USM Portland Campus
Note: USM Parking Garage charges by the hour. There is no free parking at USM. FMI USM Parking Services
Lecture descriptions:

portrait of Jason Ur

March 28, 2026 – Jason Ur presents:

Colonial Burying Grounds as Archaeological Landscapes

In most New England towns, little remains of their 16th and 17th century landscapes, with one frequent exception: the burying ground. These places have not gone unnoticed: art historians have studied their gravestones, genealogists have cataloged their epitaphs, and archaeologists have recognized their headstone iconography. What's missing is the framework of landscape archaeology, an approach that treats these places as more than a collection of names and monuments. Archeologist Jason Ur will talk about his current research mapping old cemeteries using new drone technology, and applying the landscape methods he uses to study the urban landscapes of ancient Mesopotamia to the mortuary landscapes of early Colonial towns.

On January 31, 2026, Paul Ledman presented on "The Freedom Trail and Underground Railroad in Portland."

On February 28, 2026, Matt Barker presented on "he Blue and the Green: The Irish of Portland in the Civil War Era"

We rely on donations and event ticket sales to fund our conservation efforts and this lecture series. Your donations are so appreciated. Some of you remember the lecture tip jar we keep on our welcome table next to the cookies! We also have a PayPal virtual tip jar: Donate to Spirits Alive today. Thank you!

Lecture Archives

We have been presenting public lectures that educate us on the history of our city, state, and country since 2008. Here is a listing of those who have participated as well as their lecture subject matter.