Castine Historical Society Presents the 11th Annual Pulliam Lecture

July 1st, 2019

Castine, Maine: Richard M. Ames, guest curator and author will give a free talk on his research into ships built at Castine and their voyages that highlight the people and the risks involved in Castine’s 19 th -century global trade. The illustrated lecture, followed by a book signing, will be on Thursday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Delano Auditorium on the campus of Maine Maritime Academy, Castine.

As a youngster, Ames spent summers in Castine at the Whitney House, built in 1810 by his direct
ancestors, Captain Henry and Lucy Perkins Whitney. During these visits he became fascinated by his family’s deep ties to the period of maritime trade which brought Castine considerable prosperity. For the last decade, Ames has researched Castine shipbuilding and international trade. His work provided the foundation for the Historical Society’s 2019 exhibit, Risky Business: Square-Rigged Ships and Salted Fish. Ames wrote a companion book, Risky Business: A Maine Village Goes Global, to accompany the exhibit. The book is available for sale at the Castine Historical Society, online at castinehistoricalsociety.org, and at the lecture.

Richard and his wife, Laura, have three grown children and spend their time between Kiawah Island, S. C. and Highlands, N. C. and visit Castine in the summer. Richard has previously written articles on family history published in the Historical Society’s newsletter, The Castine Visitor. The Deborah Pulliam Memorial Lectures began in 2008 to honor the memory and achievements of Deborah Pulliam. Ms. Pulliam, who died in 2007, generously supported organizations in Castine and beyond. She was an active member of the Castine Historical Society and served as the editor of The Castine Visitor for six years. The Castine Historical Society serves as a window into Castine’s extraordinary past. The Historical Society preserves local history and hosts permanent and seasonal exhibitions in its Abbott School gallery located at 17 School Street, Castine. It also hosts lectures, walking tours of the town, house and garden tours, and historic reenactments. The Grindle House offices and research library located at 13 School Street, Castine are open year-round and researchers are welcome by appointment.