The Kennebec Historical Society’s February public presentation, A History of Camp Keyes, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Hope Baptist Church, 726 Western Ave., in Manchester.
For more than 100 years, Camp Keyes has been known as the headquarters for the Maine National Guard in Augusta. But how did that site on the hill come to be chosen? Who is it named for? Who trained there, and why? Capt. Jonathan Bratten, historian for the Maine National Guard, will answer those questions and describe the role that Camp Keyes has played in five different conflicts and for generations of Maine soldiers and airmen.
As command historian for the Maine National Guard, Bratten has produced multiple articles about the history of Maine’s soldiers, appearing in such publications as “The New York Times,” “The Washington Post,” “Army History,” “On Point,” and “Army Magazine.” He also has appeared in the Smithsonian Channel documentary, “Americans Underground: Secret Cities of World War I” and served as a historian in France for the Army’s World War I Centennial commemorations. Additionally, Bratten is the commander of the 251st Engineer Co., and a veteran of Afghanistan. He and his wife live in Portland.
The Kennebec Historical Society February presentation is free; donations accepted.
For more information, call the society at 622-7718.
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