LCHA lecture illuminates social bias in early New England criminal justice system

Christine Hopf-Lovette, LCHA
Mon, 02/06/2023 - 1:45pm
Buildings archaeologist and architectural historian Aimee Keithan. Courtesy of LCHA
The entry door to the first floor cell block at the Old Jail in Wiscasset was sealed with a 12-pound lock that required a 7-inch key. Courtesy of LCHA
    Lincoln County’s history is full of stories of valor, civic leaders, and enterprising community builders. But the area’s history was also shaped by thieves, murderers, ladies of the night, and others accused of crimes here. Then, as today, criminalization intersects with social issues like race, gender, and class.
     
    In Lincoln County Historical Association’s upcoming Winter Lecture, “Put In Their Place: Criminalizing the Other In Early New England,” architectural historian Aimée Keithan delves into the people behind the crimes. Using Jailer’s Accounts to place the accused within the physical environment of the Wiscasset Old Jail, Dr. Keithan shares how social biases impacted prisoners’ lives. Her stories of these individuals whom history has suppressed help us to see their humanity.
     

    This talk, to be held via Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m., is open to all, but pre-registration is required. Please visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org to receive a link and navigate to upcoming events. There is no charge, although donations are welcome. The program will be recorded, and all registrants will be sent a link to the video that can be viewed at will by those who are unable to attend the live presentation.

    Aimée Keithan, Ph.D., is a buildings archaeologist and architectural historian, currently working as Pejepscot History Center’s Museum Services Manager in Brunswick. She has held research fellowships at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the Preservation of Newport County in Rhode Island. Her research focuses on using the material culture of architecture to reveal the history of marginalized populations.

    Lincoln County Historical Association is a non-profit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset.  For more information, please visit lincolncountyhistory.org or Facebook at Lincoln County Historical Association (Maine).

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