KENNEBUNK — Between 1944 and 1946, more than 4,000 German prisoners of war called Maine home.

The story of how they arrived, and the lasting impact that they had on the people who encountered them is one of Maine’s most interesting and obscure stories.

Join participants at the Kennebunk Free Library on Monday, July 22 at 6 p.m. as Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine Program Director David Greenham shares the lively and surprising story of an interesting chapter of Maine history, using materials and research used to create the 2012 exhibit “Maine Boys Overseas and German Boys in Maine.” It is a story of cooperation, kindness, and enemies who found a way to work for a common good, and even became friends.

David Greenham is the associate director for the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, and is an adjunct professor of Drama and English at the University of Maine at Augusta. He has been a theater artist and arts administrator for more than 25 years.

He’s a history buff and has been commissioned several times to create touring programs for the Maine Humanities Council.

As a theater artist, Greenham spent 14 years leading The Theater At Monmouth, the Shakespearean Theater of Maine. Since stepping down from that position eight years ago, he has performed or directed productions with Everyman Repertory Theater, The Portland Fringe Festival, Bath Shakespeare Festival, Camden Shakespeare Festival, the Waterville Opera House, Capitol City Improv, and the Celebration Barn Ensemble. He is also a contributing reviewer for the Boston-based, on-line arts journal The Arts Fuse (artsfuse.org) and currently serves on the board of directors of the MidMaine Global Forum and is on advisory boards for UMA, the Snow Pond Center for the Arts and the Harlow Gallery.

The HHRC’s 2012 exhibit and the research to create it was the inspiration for the POW Camps in Maine program that has been presented for several community groups in Maine.

In addition to his current work, David has been commissioned by the Maine Humanities Council to create a touring performance piece honoring Maine’s bicentennial.

From its home, the Michael Klahr Center at the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA), the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine (HHRC) presents a wide variety of films, discussions, exhibits and special events for members of the UMA community and the people of central Maine.

In addition, the HHRC’s outreach programming reaches schools and community groups throughout the state. The film “Were the House Still Standing: Maine Survivors and Liberators Remember the Holocaust” is on permanent exhibition at the Klahr Center, along with “Michael’s Story,” a film about the hidden child for whom the center is named. The HHRC features a large classroom, the Alfond Exhibition Hall, an intimate, 100-seat venue that is designed for films, lectures, and live performances; an exhibit space featuring three exhibits per year.

The HHRC programs focus on issues of the Nazi Holocaust as well as a broad range of human rights issues. Programs, events, and educational outreach opportunities are rooted in the HHRC’s mission: The Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine promotes universal respect for human rights through outreach and education. Using the lessons of the Holocaust and other events past and present we encourage individuals and communities to reflect and act upon their moral responsibilities to confront prejudice, intolerance and discrimination. For more information, visit www.hhrcmaine.org.

This program is free and wheelchair accessible. The Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main Street in Kennebunk.

For more information, call 985-2173 or send an email to kfl@kennebunk.lib.me.us

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