Lincoln County Historical Association plans to shed light on Black sailors of the the 18th and 19th centuries with an online lecture, “Good Grit: Black Sailors of Lincoln County,” presented by Korrine Tanzer at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14.

Tanzer will discuss a few of the Black sailors — free and enslaved — who worked the waters of the Kennebec River or spent time at sea, helping shape Lincoln County’s past. Tanzer’s talk will introduce early enslaved men who were forced to sea by their enslavers, as well as free men like Zina Lewis, who, full of “good grit” as reported by one local newspaper, made a name for himself as a successful Black captain on the Kennebec, according to a news release from the Wiscasset-based association.

Tanzer tells of the determination and grit of men whose stories have been hidden but who left an important mark on Maine’s rich maritime tradition.

Tanzer, a blogger who focuses on maritime, Maine, and queer history, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history at Arizona State University. As an active volunteer for the association, Tanzer serves on LCHA’s Board of Trustees as well as the Wiscasset Old Jail Stewardship Committee and conducts research into the lives of inmates held at the Old Jail in the 19th century.

The lecture is open to the public and free, but advance registration is required at lincolncountyhistory.org.

A suggested donation of $5 will help support LCHA’s ongoing history programming.

Check out other upcoming area events!