Siege at the State House tells the true story of a coup that was attempted between Maine’s governor and the leaders of a new political party, almost plunging the United States into a second Civil War. With the Maine State House under siege for several weeks by a confederate force, the occupation culminated in a showdown between armed rebels and Civil War hero General Joshua Chamberlain, with Chamberlain standing on the State House steps, exposing his chest, and daring any man present to settle the standoff with violence, if they dared. It was an event the war hero called “Another Roundtop.”

In light of recent national events, this piece of Maine history is a timely and cautionary tale brought to life by historian Mac Smith. Mac Smith visited the Rockland Public Library last year to discuss the filming of Peyton Place in the Midcoast, and we are so excited to welcome him back for another history talk!

A Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and former reporter for The Bar Harbor Times, Mac Smith now lives in Stockton Springs, Maine, in the village of Sandy Point. He is also the author of Mainers on the Titanic and Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine.

This event will take place in the library’s Community Room. For more info, please email elewis@rocklandmaine.gov