Maine’s forest is immense. Since Colonial times, Maine settlers have cut trees from its millions of acres of forest. Britain cut thousands of tall pine trees for masts for their royal navy ships. This slide presentation, titled “Logging in Maine,” describes logging from its earliest methods, including primitive cutting and hauling methods and water-powered sawmills, to the development of steam log haulers and steam-powered sawmills in the early 20^th century, when her latest logging book, Trouble in Nathan’s Woods, takes place. Log drives, on the Kennebec River and others, will be discussed. Cowan’s passion for writing about forests and logging was inspired by her family’s history. The Mortons owned Paris Manufacturing Company, located in South Paris, Maine, where they manufactured wooden sleds, skis, and other wood products. They also operated a large lumber camp, where her father lived as a young boy. The program includes pictures of 19^th-century logging camps, shows how logs were harvested and hauled out of the woods, and includes historic photos taken by her grandfather.

Award-winning author and KHS presenter, Mary Morton Cowan, has been writing books and articles for young readers for more than 30 years and has completed several courses focusing on that genre. A Maine native, Cowan graduated from Westbrook High School and Bates College, where she concentrated her studies in English and Music. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and of Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.

The Kennebec Historical Society’s June presentation is free to the public (donations are gladly accepted) and will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at the Augusta City Center, located at 16 Cony Street in Augusta. If you have any questions about the program, please call Scott Wood, executive director, at 622-7718.