LEWISTON — The Androscoggin Historical Society plans to host an expert on Civil War battlefields at its next “A Quiet Conversation about Maine Civil War Soldiers,” scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the society’s 93 Lisbon St. home.

Nick Picerno, chairman emeritus of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation in New Market, Virginia, will discuss Civil War battlefield preservation and the role of Maine regiments. He will also discuss Maine regiments that participated in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia during the Civil War, according to a news release from the society.

Nick Picerno is chairman emeritus of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation in New Market, Virginia. Submitted photo

In 2006, Picerno spearheaded the foundation’s effort to purchase, protect and interpret the Third Battle of Winchester battlefield, now the largest preserved Civil War battlefield in the Shenandoah Valley.

He also serves on the Federal Advisory Commission of the Cedar Creek-Belle Grove National Park, and is vice president of the Lincoln Society of Virginia. He is a former member of both the board of trustees of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia, and the board of directors of the Lee-Jackson Education Foundation of Charlottesville.

For 40 years Picerno has been researching the history of the 1st-10th & 29th Maine Infantry regiments during the Civil War. He has published articles in both “Civil War Times” and “America’s Civil War” magazines and has contributed to scores of books.

The program is led by Glenn Gagne, a Civil War era historian with more than 55 years’ experience in the time period. He has extensive collection and has recently been focused on Civil War Soldiers from Lewiston.

All are welcome to come listen and share family history or stories from the Civil War years. They can bring a memento, photo or story about the time.

The program is free; donations are welcome. Those who attend can bring a drink and snacks.

For more information, contact the society at info@androhistory.org or 207-784-0586.

Check out other upcoming area events!