Lecture series to feature extraordinary women

AUGUSTA – Three authors will highlight Maine women who lived extraordinary lives in the late 19th to the middle 20th century. The authors will speak at the Maine State Museum’s Spring Lecture Series at 7 p.m. April 19, 26, and May 3.

Leading off the series April 19 will be Alice Arlen of Portland, who will speak on Louise Dickinson Rich, a prolific Maine writer whose best-known work was “We Took to the Woods,” a 1942 account of Rich and her family’s life in Maine’s north woods. Arlen’s recent book, “She Took to the Woods,” is an account of Rich’s life.

On April 26, Dorcas Miller of Chelsea will give a talk titled “Martha Whitman: A Woman with a Thirst for Adventure.” Whitman (1840-1884) defied the constraints of Victorian America and urged women to camp and hike in the woods.

On May 3, Julia Hunter of Augusta will speak and show slides on “Fly Rod” Crosby, Maine’s first registered guide. Hunter, who is registrar at the Maine State Museum, and Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. are co-authors of the recent book, “Fly Rod Crosby: The Woman Who Marketed Maine.”

All lectures are free. Refreshments will be available after each lecture.