He is known as the “First Ladies man.”

The Topsham Public Library hosted author and television host Andrew Och Thursday night to talk about his time studying the country’s first Ladies. Och spent more than a year traveling the nation, visiting locations that would help tell the stories of each First Lady of the United States.

Och’s journey began in 2012, when he documented the lives of the first ladies for the CSPAN series, “First Ladies: Influence and Image.” He later wrote two books, “Unusual for Their Time: On the Road with America’s First Ladies” (volume one and two).

Having grown up in Washington, D.C., Och was drawn to the project because of the opportunity to tell stories about the first ladies that have been lost in history. The name of his book came from something he heard continuously about each first lady in his travels, that they were “unique for their time.”

With unlimited access on his tour of the country, Och’s research uncovered old letters showing the power and influence first ladies have had in our history. He’s held the dress Helen Taft wore to the Inaugural Ball, and stood in the spot Calvin Coolidge met his wife, Grace. Och shared some of his favorite stories from the road with the audience Thursday, and added his book contains his favorite places to eat in each spot.

“It got to the point where the TSA guys knew me by name,” said Och. “Which was great for getting out of BWI (airport).”

Och will wrap up his Maine tour at the Auburn Public Library today. He’s shared his speech corresponding with the second volume of his books throughout the state, making appearances in Bangor, Orono, Augusta and Biddeford before his stop in Topsham.

chris@timesrecord.com