Maine's Capital Area

The Kennebec Historical Society’s September Public Presentation: “Anything but a Pleasure Trip” – Kennebec County in the Rush for California Gold

Hundreds of men and women left Kennebec County to seek their fortunes after news of California gold reached Maine in late 1848. In three years of research, Jan Eakins has woven letters, diaries and other clues from the Kennebec Historical Society and collections across the country to provide rich insights and engaging stories. We learn why the rate of departure from Maine to California was one of the highest in the nation. We trace Kennebec gold seekers as they head West by way of Cape Horn, Panama, Mexico, and overland through Missouri. We examine their lives in California, their successes, failures, deaths, and – for the fortunate few – their return with gold in hand. You will learn of Franklin Glazier, Horace Williams, Henry T. Hoskins, Allen Lambard, William Bodfish, Hosea Dudley, Amariah Kalloch, E. K. Perry, Henry W. Severance, Seth Whitehouse, Grenville H. Child, Charles L. Scammon, Francis Chipman, Peter H. Brinsmade, and others, many in their own words.

Our speaker, Jan Eakins, has studied Mainers in the West for 20 years and is writing a book on their role in the California gold rush. She is a trustee of Maine Historical Society, teaches history at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and is a docent at Fifth Maine Regiment Museum. She taught journalism and history at Plattsburgh State University (NY), was curator of c.1641 Fairbanks House (MA), and led tours and trained guides at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (VA). The program is free and open to the public.

The Kennebec Historical Society Public Presentation will take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at the . The program will be preceded at 4:30pm by a potluck supper and at 6pm by the society’s annual meeting and election of officers and directors.