CAMDEN — Join Matt Blazek, director of Educational Operations with Maine’s First Ship, for a fascinating presentation about the 1607 pinnace Virginia, the history of the Popham Colony, and the Bath-based nonprofit’s reconstruction of the ship as an educational and community project. This program will take place Tuesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m., in the Picker Room. All are welcome.

The pinnace Virginia was the first English ocean-going ship built in the Americas. It was built in 1607-1608 at the Popham Colony’s Fort St George located near the mouth of the Kennebec River. Virginia was built to aid in coastal exploration and fishing, but was repurposed when the colony was abandoned in October 1608 and was used to return some of the colonists to England. The building of Virginia was the beginning of Maine’s 400 year tradition of quality shipbuilding.

Maine’s First Ship is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that strives to use their reconstruction of the 1607 pinnace Virginia to immerse the public in an exploration of the region’s early history, craftsmanship, and relationships, and their impact on our community and environment today. The 51 foot reconstruction of the Virginia as built by a crew of volunteers in and around the Bath Freight Shed and meets Coast Guard requirements allowing it to be used as a floating classroom.