BRUNSWICK — On Wed. March 21, at Coastal Landing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., recently retired University of Southern Maine Professor Allan Whitmore will discuss the conditions and events that resulted in the burning of the South Church in Bath in 1854.
At that time there was virulent anti-Catholic sentiment in Maine and similar events, many of them violent, took place in Ellsworth, Lewiston and throughout the nation. The Bath church burning was indicative of American conditions in the 1850s. Whitmore may also speak about the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in Maine in the 1920s. A question and answer period will take place at the conclusion of his presentation.
Whitmore’s special interest in teaching and research has concentrated upon the relationship of religion, immigration, politics and government to 19th century nativism in the United States.
This is part of a series of discussions that takes place every third Wednesday at Coastal Landing Retirement Community, 142 Neptune Drive in Brunswick. Coffee and cookies are compliments of AARP and all are welcome.
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