At 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, Michael Dekker will talk about his new book, “French & Indian Wars in Maine,” at the Pownalborough Court House in Dresden. This book, the newest addition to The History Press’ Military series, features stunning images of forgotten battles. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing after the talk.

For eight decades, an epic power struggle raged across a frontier that would become Maine. Between 1675 and 1759, British, French and Native Americans clashed in six distinct wars to stake and defend their land claims. Though the showdown between France and Great Britain was international in scale, the decidedly local conflicts in Maine pitted European settlers against Native American tribes. Native and European communities from the Penobscot to the Piscataqua Rivers suffered savage attacks. Countless men, women and children were killed, taken captive or sold into servitude. The native people of Maine were torn asunder by disease, social disintegration and political factionalism as they fought to maintain their autonomy in the face of unrelenting European pressure. This dark, tragic and largely forgotten struggle laid the foundation of Maine.

Mike Dekker is a past board member of the Lincoln County Historical Association and the Pownalborough Court House Stewardship Committee. Growing up and residing in Mid-coast Maine, he has developed a life-long passion for the region’s past.

An avid student of 18th century American History and material culture, he presents educational programs for local historical societies, state historic sites, schools and the public. Portraying Maine soldiers of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution as a living historian, Dekker endeavors to relate the stories of forgotten individuals and their world, according to a news release.

The Pownalborough Court House is the only pre-revolutionary courthouse in Maine. It stands on its original site on the banks of the Kennebec River in Dresden. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Court House is a wonderful example of classic New England architecture. Activities available on site in the summer include: a museum staffed by trained docents who talk to visitors about the history of the building and its collections; attractive grounds for picnics; a period garden; a the nature trail along the river; a newly developed hiking trail in the forest across the road; and a cemetery with the graves of Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War veterans. For more information on the Pownalborough Court House and other Lincoln County Historical Association museums, go to their website: http://www.lincolncountyhistory.org.